UTGF Tone Wood Matrix - Good idea or no ???

[cigarfan]

OK guys & gals. I'm back from my trip and and thinking about engaging on this matrix. If, that is, you folks think it is a worthwhile endeavor. It won't be without input.

This is not intended to be a scientific graph. It will be based entirely on the ears of UTGFers provide input. I will average the numbers received and plot the graph. We can evolve it over time.

My plan is to make this as simple a possible. Each person can provide input on each tonewood (x and y position for the graph). Also for simplicity's sake, I have combined varieties of the same wood (i.e., Rosewood - Brazilian, Honduran, Madagascar, Amazon, etc.) since I really don't think any difference on a chart like this will make a difference. I have created the spreadsheet with the tonewood list and attached it to this post. All you have to do is add the x-y positions for each wood you are familiar with and email the spreadsheet back to me (or I suppose you could post your numbers as a reply if the spreadsheet is too hard). Either method works for me. List of woods is also included at the bottom of this post.

Plan is to have X axis represent dynamic range and clarity (loudness/clarity across the spectrum) and y axis will represent bass to mid to high frequency response. Let's also set maximum x-axis at 100 units and the y-axis at 100.

So what say you? Is this worth doing?

If we have enough people participate (say 100+) then I will crunch the numbers and create a nice graphic we can all be proud of.

African Satinwood
Alder
Ancient Kauri
Ash
Basswood
Black limba
Blackheart Sassafras
Blackwood
Bocote
Bubinga
Butternut
Canalete
Chechen
Cocobolo
Granadillo (often referred to as Black Cocobolo)
Hormigo
Imbuia (also called Brazilian Walnut)
Koa
Korina (Black & White)
Lacewood
Macassar Ebony
Mahogany
Makore
Maple (Big leaf, Birds Eye, European)
Meranti
Monkey Pod
Muira Piranga
Myrtlewood
Oak
Ovangkol
Padauk (African & Andaman)
Pau Ferro (also known as Morado or Bolivian Rosewood)
Pear
Poplar
Poplar (Tulip)
Purple Heart
Rosewood (Amazon, Brazilian, East Indian, Honduran, Madagascar)
Sapele
Snakewood
Sycamore
Teak
Walnut (Black, Claro, White)
Wenge
Zebrano
Zebrawood
Ziricote

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[cjd-player]

You'll need to put some refernce points on the chart, such as for mahogany and EI rosewood, for comparison.  Otherwise you'll just get arbitrarty values with no relationship to one another.  For eaxmple I might say the oak is 4 and 6, someone else may say that maple is 4 and 6, and a third person may say that rosewood is 4 and 6.

[S MS Picker]

I've never seen pictures of some of the woods, much less heard them.
Steve

[e8n]

Tone is so subjective that I don't think you can do anything meaningful or at least more meaningful that the Taylor drawing already does.  It would be a cool project if you could standardize what people heard but you can't.  A 12 year old EIR guitar will sound different that a 2 month old guitar, for no other reason than the bracing changed or the top is cut thinner or <insert 437 reasons here>.  Also my old ears are much different than a 25 year old's ear is with regards to tone.

I don't mean to be a bummer about this but I just don't think it moves the ball down the field at all.

-Dave

[cigarfan]

Ya know Dave, been kinda feeling the same as you about it. Got enthused to start but as I get further along thinking it through I am thinking it's value may be suspect. We'll see if anyone else chimes. But I think you are spot on.

[Steve]

Have to agree. Describing tone is a lot like dancing ice cream flavors.

And ask yourself, how many pepole have likely heard woods such as Kauri, Canalete, Hormigo or Muira Piranga? You simply wouldn't get enough people to chime in on those, and would end up with only one person's opinion regarding the tone. That would seem to be the exact opposite of what you're trying to accomplish...

[TaylorGirl]

I agree with the previous posts, that it would be too subjective to post opinions about tone woods.

However, maybe if you want to do something with tone woods, stick with the information that is factual (objective) such as pictures, orgins of the wood, qualities (i.e. hardwood vs. softer wood), typical uses (soundboard, etc.), etc. 

I've seen this type of thing done on other websites, for other instruments.  It can be very useful and informational.  Just a thought.

[ggj]

Spend your time playing instead.

[Steve]

Spend your time playing instead.

That, of course, would be the preferred way to go...

 

[e8n]

Spend your time playing instead.

Darn you and your logical posts!   Ok, you are right. 

-Dave

[wooglins]

It is a great idea, but many of those woods have tonal varations based on unclassified sub-species.  An example is Cocobolo.  There are tonal variations for Dalbergia retusa based on what region of the world the wood comes from.  When further examined for example it is discovered that genetically Dalbergia retusa has two to four variaties that each have differing tonal qualities, yet they all look similar.

The same is true of Madagacar Rosewood, and quite a few other exotic woods.

[cigarfan]

Spend your time playing instead.

I have decided to take your advice.

Too logical for me not to!

[michaelw]

there are some pretty good descriptions in here, imho
http://tonewooddatasource.weebly.com/species--attributes.html

[TaylorGirl]

Great website, thanks Michael.