Alder vs. Poplar

Caper · April 27th, 2003, 04:32 AM

At this present time there are no alder body Tele's at my local music store so I have nothing to compare the weight of the two. Can someone give their personal experiences with these two woods with regards to weight?

Dacious · April 27th, 2003, 07:12 AM

Poplar while not as light as basswood is lighter than heavy ash. So a poplar Tele is usually medium weight.

Colo Springs E · April 27th, 2003, 09:26 AM

Some mahogany and/or maple guitars weigh a ton; others are much lighter.

I wouldn't assume one is "generally" heavier than the other, two pieces of wood can vary greatly.

-Eric

Darrell · April 27th, 2003, 08:14 PM

I sat with my guitar tech here in Houston last week. He has been setting up just about every stringed instrument know for over 25 years...full time. He is well known in Houston.

We talked about wood and tone. He said there is very little difference in poplar and alder.

They are both "softer" woods.

The main difference is the graining and color of the wood. Poplar has large dark spots, which is doesn't look good for clear finish work, unless you cut around the dark spots.

Alder is pretty even colored but it has various grain types. And a lot more grain than poplar. It will have lines it is that seam "usual" in "unusal" places...but it adds unique character. It finishes very well. That is why you see a lot of the clear finish Fenders in Alder.

We didn't talk about ash because I can't afford it...ha ha.

April 27th, 2003, 04:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,149 6 Photos	Alder vs. Poplar At this present time there are no alder body Tele's at my local music store so I have nothing to compare the weight of the two. Can someone give their personal experiences with these two woods with regards to weight?

April 27th, 2003, 07:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,601 35 Photos	Poplar while not as light as basswood is lighter than heavy ash. So a poplar Tele is usually medium weight. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

April 27th, 2003, 09:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,854 5 Photos	Both can be either!!..... Some mahogany and/or maple guitars weigh a ton; others are much lighter. I wouldn't assume one is "generally" heavier than the other, two pieces of wood can vary greatly. -Eric __________________ "Got my technique down and everything. I don't be ticklin' or nothin."

April 27th, 2003, 08:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 47 Posts: 2,418	It is debatable but... I sat with my guitar tech here in Houston last week. He has been setting up just about every stringed instrument know for over 25 years...full time. He is well known in Houston. We talked about wood and tone. He said there is very little difference in poplar and alder. They are both "softer" woods. The main difference is the graining and color of the wood. Poplar has large dark spots, which is doesn't look good for clear finish work, unless you cut around the dark spots. Alder is pretty even colored but it has various grain types. And a lot more grain than poplar. It will have lines it is that seam "usual" in "unusal" places...but it adds unique character. It finishes very well. That is why you see a lot of the clear finish Fenders in Alder. We didn't talk about ash because I can't afford it...ha ha.