brokenvail
Well-known member
I was wondering if any one knew the story of how EBMM and SM decided on poplar for his sig guitar? I have heard of it used on guitars before but don't see a lot of models using it.
Question Poplar on the SM?
- Thread starter brokenvail
- Start date
fbecir
Well-known member
I believe it is Steve Morse choice. Steve wanted a neutral wood (if I remember well he explains his choice on some videos).
Like all wood, the most important point is the quality of the wood you use. Take mahogany for instance : there are a lot of different kind of mahogany. But in a guitar catalog, it's just written mahogany.
Poplar does not have a good reputation, mainly because poplar is not a pretty wood. But in term of sound, it's more or less like alder or ash. Again, a high quality piece of poplar is better than a low quality piece of ash ... and a high quality piece of ash is better than a low quality piece of poplar ...
Like all wood, the most important point is the quality of the wood you use. Take mahogany for instance : there are a lot of different kind of mahogany. But in a guitar catalog, it's just written mahogany.
Poplar does not have a good reputation, mainly because poplar is not a pretty wood. But in term of sound, it's more or less like alder or ash. Again, a high quality piece of poplar is better than a low quality piece of ash ... and a high quality piece of ash is better than a low quality piece of poplar ...
e.mate
Well-known member
That has already been mentioned here in some post....dig around, and you shall find 
The only reason of many guitar makers not using it, is because it is "ugly", as transparent colours look somehow "dirty". Soundwise there's loads of luthiers who would tell you that poplar is extremely resonant and a very fine wood to create guitars with a lot of sustain. At least I can "feel" my SUB resonating....very nice
The only reason of many guitar makers not using it, is because it is "ugly", as transparent colours look somehow "dirty". Soundwise there's loads of luthiers who would tell you that poplar is extremely resonant and a very fine wood to create guitars with a lot of sustain. At least I can "feel" my SUB resonating....very nice
e.mate
Well-known member
fbecir
Well-known member
brokenvail
Well-known member
I knew about the ugly part already. I have a friend who deals with wood making cabinets ect and he loves poplar. He says it is very very stable once it has settled. I did not know it is kin to Alder in it's tonal qualities.
e.mate
Well-known member
Yes, but I am faster and I don't wear magenta underwear
LOL ....believe me, I stopped doing it at some stage in the mid 80s, hahahahahaha
JMD
Well-known member
This exact topic is discussed on the web - just prompt google. Steve has discussed the beginnings of his sig model online as well - sift through a popular fansite stevemorse.info I believe. One thing I've never heard is anyone complain about the tone of the SM (from a wood/resonance perspective) - so I suspect it's largely a non-issue, sound wise. Also, given the p/u combo and complex switching system - yer likley somewhat of a 'variable tone-hound' if you bought one. I ordered mine almost 3 months ago, so I'll soon know more. I wonder if anyone who own's one (or perhaps - once owned one) has any insight. Did I 'hijack' this? Apologies...never been on a forum before.
It is a popular misconception that poplar is a cheap and poor tonewood. IMO it is an excellent tonewood and as said you can get good and bad pieces just like any other wood. It is very similar to alder tonally and is light and resonant. My Morse sounds fantastic.
