Albert Lee, swamp ash or african mahogany?

[billy carr]

What differences In tone could be expected? I've never played a guitar with ash material, pros? Cons?

 

[Sweat]

To me swamp ash is brighter a touch more resonant, the HH AL body of African mahogany is a touch darker more voiced to the pups, but hey thats IMHO.

I like both

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have a Tele with humbuckers which is Ash, and my ALHH which is Mahogany. The AL is much much brighter.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have a Tele with humbuckers which is Ash, and my ALHH which is Mahogany. The AL is much much brighter.

Yup, I'll +1 one on that one. I have a lightweight Mahogony Tele which sounds bright.

 

[Stratty316]

It's funny, I always though the Ash Axis Sport sounded brighter than the Mahogany HHAL. The AL is fuller, smoother and more mid range/low end tone where the Sport has more attack in HH mode and more bright "strat like" sparkle in the split coils.

 

[xjbebop]

Interesting. I have an African 'hog AL, which I love, but it certainly isn't 'brighter' than any of my Tele's....
The AL sings smoother and darker, where as every 'standard' tele I have has that snappy bark to it.
I have a few other (non-tele) swamp ash guitars that generally have an even, balanced tone to them...
As for the Albert Lee that I have, I assume the combination of mahogany and rosewood neck gives it the smoother, smokier tone...