alder?

Is alder just an ugly crap looking cheap timber which must be covered by opaque paint?(although it sounds ok)

That would depend on what you get.

http://www.kpfotos.com/Alder1.jpg

http://www.kpfotos.com/Alder4.jpg

http://www.kpfotos.com/Finish2.jpg

http://www.kpfotos.com/Finish5.jpg

That looks good not perfect but in general

No.

That would depend on what you get.

http://www.kpfotos.com/Alder1.jpg


Nice...

Just ordered this.....

What I mean is that you don't see a natrual finish in alder from guitar manufactures it's usually ash.

this body was red once... easy to see huh?..:wink:

one piece alder.... looks ok to me...:smile:


I'm glad the seller decided to sand it back and clear coat it before I got it...... there wouldn't be too many one piece bodies that get painted...:roll:

That does look very good, but there again it was originally painted, I think maybe the quality of alder grain structure is unpredictable so the general policy would be to paint it

I think nearly all solid color instruments look like crap, so it's entirely subjective.

I think nearly all solid color instruments look like crap, so it's entirely subjective.

I have to agree with that.

Evidence:

http://www.kpfotos.com/Fam2012a.jpg

It's not exactly a luxury hardwood, but it can have nice grain. It's a hell of a step up from pine, that's for sure.

Mineralized alder can be quite striking. And some plain stuff is suitable for clear finish. Alder is also very prone to blotching with any direct stains. But yes, the vast majority of it is paint grade.