Body wood question

Hammerdin_930

Hammerdin_930

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Hi guys, it's been awhile since I've posted here. Glad to meet you once again.

Anyway to get on topic, I wanna ask if standard ash is different from swamp ash and if it's really heavy. I bought an Edwards Jazz Bass Fender replica from a second hand shop when I went on vacation to Japan two weeks ago. For the benefit of those who aren't familiar, Edwards is a midrange line of ESP that is exclusive to the Japanese market. The sound is really good and punchy, but it's so ♣♣♣♣in heavy. I tried to compare the weight with my existing 5-string RB Corvette which has an alder body and the Edwards is 1.5 kg heavier.

There is no serial number engraved anywhere on the bass so I don't have any idea what model number it is especially because I bought it used. In the Edwards catalog, most of their J-bass copy has on paper a body wood as simply "Ash". So could it be possible that I have a bass with ash body? If it does, I am clarified that I was wrong with my former thoughts that ash is lightweight.
 
I want the CS thumb I make to have a spalted maple
Top mmmmmmm
 
Jester, for your post I reactivated the THANK YOU hack :-)
 
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Standard ash, northern ash aka "baseball bat ash",
is closer grained, and much heavier, than southern
ash, aka swamp ash. It's the difference in lengths
of their growing seasons. The actual trees are the
very same species. Plant the same tree in a colder
climate and you get heavier wood.

I had a northern ash MM Sabre ... waaaaay heavy.
IIRC the famously weighty Peavey T40 bass is also
northern ash. It's not used very often in basses, I
spoze it's cuz 12 lb basses don't sell too well .....



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Anytime the same wood grows in different climates, it will have an impact on both weight and tone. South American Mahogany that grows in South America grows much faster, and is therefore lighter, than the same species grown in Puerto Rico where it grows a bit slower. In regards to Swamp Ash...the best of the best comes from the section of the tree that is below the water line, where the pores are large...which gives it the characteristic light weight and tonal properties.
 
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