Ash or Alder? What's the better looking wood?

Question

My purpose is making a stained guitar body that will be lacqered with nitrocellulose.

Answer 1

ash has much more grain and stains well. it is a denser and harder wood than alder. alder is a softer and less grained wood. it is used for the face frames of cabinets where grain isnt as important but softness is for attaching hardware

Answer 2

It really depends on your project. For example: A table top should be made with alder as the grain and general "feel" of the wood is far superior to ash. A walking cane, coat and hat stand should be made from ash because of its greater strength because those things are made "with the grain", i.e. with the grain going all the way down the piece. Plus, alder really gets a great luster when polished with a good wax after being polyurethaned.

Answer 3

I guess the question should be ,which will give yu a better sounding guitar,...i which case i woulg go with the softer wood ,that being the alder, if you can find and afford it go with rosewood or koa wood for a premiun sounding guitar

Answer 4

There are pros and cons to both woods for what you want to do with it, but if I had to choose between the two I would go with the ash. Just my own opinion.

Answer 5

Alder is lighter and more mellow than ash. Ash is for baseball bats!