A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Thanks Chi-Na.

This was announced about a year ago. Part of the reason I picked up the ash Strat I just bought.

I built the Tonebender Tele out of ash.

Yeah, I heard about this around a year ago too, but I hadn't heard any more news, so I almost forgot about it. One of my sources for custom-order guitar bodies (who used to offer ash exclusively) has switched completely over to pine. I think I first noticed it about 6 months ago. Which was bad news for me, because I'm planning a baritone build, and was going to have him make me an ash thinline Strat or Jazzmaster body with a swimming pool rout.

Yes, I remember a thread about this a while back too. Around here it's astounding how widespread the ash-borers are. Driving around this time of the year when the leaves are starting to come out, you see dead Ash trees everywhere. Especially in low-lying areas there are groves/acres of them all dying off by the acre in places. Same thing happened with American Elms ( Dutch Elm disease ) back in the 70s/80s although somewhat ironcially they are replacing urban ash trees with new disease-resistant Elms.

It's the circle of life though...as much as we like to think we control it we are mostly just along for the ride on this little rock in the sky

The devastation here is looking like it will be nearly a complete wipe out soon. The dead trees make decent firewood, but our non-swamp version is dense and heavy so you wouldn’t want it for a guitar.

This is so crazy. I just bought an ash book matched acoustic for $99. And of course the whole time fender couldn't figure out how to get us an ash strat for less than 1500 rondo was kicking them out for 169?
This time it sounds like the real deal. Isntbthere a pesticide we can feed the tree with only goes after the bugs? My moms boyfriend is a palm tree nut and now we cant go anywhere without us seeing all the dead canary palms.

nomadh wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:05 pm This is so crazy. I just bought an ash book matched acoustic for $99. And of course the whole time fender couldn't figure out how to get us an ash strat for less than 1500 rondo was kicking them out for 169?
This time it sounds like the real deal. Isntbthere a pesticide we can feed the tree with only goes after the bugs? My moms boyfriend is a palm tree nut and now we cant go anywhere without us seeing all the dead canary palms.

Acoustics are easier because the ash is so thin the weight doesn’t matter allowing the use of wood stock that would be rejected for a solid body. The imports are mostly ash-like woods. Fender was fairly particular about the ash they used. Light weight but not too light, “swamp ash” from a fairly narrow geographic area with partial year flooding. There was usually little or no up charge vs alder.

As for pesticides, yes there are some effective pesticides, but the individual trees need to be treated. It is semi-expensive and only practical for trees that are ornamental or a key part of landscaping. It is not at all practical for protecting naturally occurring trees in swamps and forests.

Keep in mind that Leo chose ash because it was readily available and cheap, not because it sounded great. Since it is no longer either, it makes sense to stop using it in production guitars.

I just spent 2 hrs panicking about not having a swamp ash strat body in the stable.
Related, I've been planning to mod 2 strat alder bodies to have bursts like 56' (2tone) and 58' (3tone). Luckily, based on a strat history site, by mid -56' Fender switched to alder for stock burst finish, while still offering ash in the blonde finish. My grande refinish scheme is still within historic bounds. Someday I'll get an ash strat body. But not today. I'ld probably have to buy expensive early 50's pups to suit it.

Partscaster wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:01 pm . I'ld probably have to buy expensive early 50's pups to suit it.

Soon 50's pickups will be banned as being culturally inappropriate. Too much hip shaking associated with them...might lead to boy girl interaction without social media marketing opportunity

If the 50’s pups are that offensive, what’s going to happen when the Karen’s find out about the ‘69’s!!!

Chocol8 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:43 pm If the 50’s pups are that offensive, what’s going to happen when the Karen’s find out about the ‘69’s!!!

Well glad my ash is covered by the Taurus ii. 1 piece swamp ash natural finish with purty grain.

I wish I had gotten me one of those ash Furrians when they were $130. We'll probably never see those again.

I’ve got my SX Swamp Ash Tele with Seymour Duncan’s and love it. Won’t be getting rid of this one.

My SX Taurus2 was B-stock at either 99$ or 109$, one piece swamp. The blemish was a tiny poly crack at neck pocket about 1/8th of an inch. I wish I got one of the Ash Thinline strats recently in inventory. The alder version has a nice body.

For those who want to get some Ash into their life, there are 5 open box G&L Limited Edition Tribute ASAT Classics with Ash bodies on MF right now for $319.99:

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars ... ric-guitar

[edit]

And an ASAT Classic Bluesboy semi-hollow in Swamp Ash for $527.99 (down from $599).

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars ... ric-guitar

My ash is covered

https://photos.app.goo.gl/A1pTW2yviT3Bnq966

I have 2 ash body guitars. I wouldn’t pay a premium for it. Not to kick the tone wood dead horse, but the pickups are more important than the type of wood.