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Hello, I am new to this site, I have a question. I would like to know what other people think of clear Popler as a tone wood. I have heard that companies that were using Alder are slowly shifting to Popler because it is a good sounding wood, light and cost less. Is this true? I would also like to know if it is as dense as Alder and also as hard. Help!!

Welcome to the board. You can get a lot of information on different woods if you check out Warmoth's site.

from : localhost/(Liriodendron tulipifera):
This is another standard body wood having been used by many companies over the years. Due to the grey/green color, this wood is used only when solid color finishes are to be applied. It's weight generally runs about one half pound more than Alder. Tonally, it is similar to Alder as well. Poplar is a closed grain wood that accepts finish well. quot;

Thanks for the reply. Yes I was only planning on solid paints with metal flake for the popler bodies. We have a nice looking wood up here that is called red Elm which when quarter sawed is VERY good looking. Has anyone had any experiance with that? I am thinking it is in the range of maple in hardness and weight. This would give good sustain, but also a back ach!! I would think that I could router out a large area in the back and lighten it up some. We also give our Customs a full contour on the front side if the customer wants it which also helps with the weight problem.

Thanks again.

Poplar is a nice lighweight wood, though I've never played a poplar guitar that I've liked, that could be attributable to many factors ...

For the lighter weight woods, I've had great success with basswood for high-energy, high-gain material ...

My Blueshawk is poplar (back) and maple (top). Sounds good, and very close to alder.


Originally Posted by big_blackMy Blueshawk is poplar (back) and maple (top). Sounds good, and very close to alder.

I played a Blueshawk and thought it sounded weak.
But, once again, that's not really a TO type of guitar!

The combo that's grabbing the most attention lately, due to Anderson, Grosh, and Gamp;L, is Tilia (basswood) with a maple cap. The tone it produces is very rich and full, due to the light basswood, and the maple cap is what's needed to push the treble.
I've never gotten excited about the sound of Poplar, but I think a good idea is to use cheaper, less dense woods, then give it some density by adding a maple top, whether it's a thin veneer or a thick top. It also allows you to disguise wood that isn't suitable for a clear finish, like most less expensive woods. Poplar almost always has flaws in it, usually green streaks, but might be really nice with a thin veneer of a figured wood over it.


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyI played a Blueshawk and thought it sounded weak.
But, once again, that's not really a TO type of guitar!

Well, it is a thinline with Strat inspired pickups, not really your typical grind machine (that is what the SG is for! ). It is an awesome blues/hardrock/reggae/ska guitar. No Emo.

well, with a name like blueshawk, i wouldn't expect it to be metal enough!!

Hello, Useing basswood, being it is very soft, do you have much trouble with easly denting the wood? I use Nitrocelulous lacquer and I am alittle leary of cracking the finish, as far as that goes, I may as well worry about popler too!! you think??

Hello, That sounds interesting. Is there a site where can I get axcess to this maple veneer, can I get other veneers too??

By the way, I took a peek at your site, GREAT GEAR!! I would show you mine, but I just burnt it...


Originally Posted by GalaxyHello, Useing basswood, being it is very soft, do you have much trouble with easly denting the wood? I use Nitrocelulous lacquer and I am alittle leary of cracking the finish, as far as that goes, I may as well worry about popler too!! you think??

Yes, my basswood guitar dents very easily. However, 3 things to note:

1. It's black, so you can't see them when playing a gig
2. It has a textured finish, which also hides the dings
3. For me, it's a tool and I expect it to get scratched/dented

All three reasons sound logical to me!! I was thinking before, about the popler Idea, and came up with a veneer of Maple, walnut or even Sapele with the popler section painted in Black. With the custom design I am using right now, it should look fine.

You have given me some good Idea's Thank you.

Could you elaborate on the (textured finish) part please?