Post by cynical1 on Jul 17, 2011 10:27:33 GMT -5
Rather then clutter up Double Yoi's Gallery post, I decided to toss this one up here in the Luthier section.
Before I begin, let me say that actual hardness within a selected species can vary significantly. The data included here is for general reference and should not be interpreted as Gospel, or carved in stone anywhere. Do not storm the castle with torches if your personal data differs from mine.
I spent some time this morning on a little research inspired by this guitar. We can identify the cypress easily enough, but the "alder" in the Affinity Butterscotch, according to Fender, is not specifically identified by species. Since the guitar comes out of China, and the odds are good they're using a species indigenous to the region, my guess is that it's Nepalese Alder, which is lighter and softer then North American or European alder...so...
REMEE Top Cap Wood:
Cypress
Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum
Distribution: Southeastern United States
Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft3 (525 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .42
Hardness: 510 lbf (2,270 N)
Suspected REMEE Body Wood:
Nepalese Alder, Utis
Scientific Name: Alnus nepalensis
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Average Dried Weight: 25 lbs/ft3 (395 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .32
Hardness: 380 lbf (1,690 N)
Why is this important? Let's take a look at the most recognizable capped guitar out there...the Les Paul. Originally, in the first 1950's models, the spec called for a Hard Maple top over a mahogany body. We'll use a traditional mahogany species for the purposes of this diatribe.
Hard Maple, Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
Distribution: Northeastern United States
Average Dried Weight: 44 lbs/ft3 (705 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .56
Hardness: 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
Honduran Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany
Scientific Name: Swietenia macrophylla
Distribution: From Southern Mexico to central South America; also commonly grown on plantations
Average Dried Weight: 41 lbs/ft3 (655 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .54
Hardness: 900 lbf (4,000 N)
This puts the hardness ratio between the body and the cap at 1.61:1
Now, as time progresses, and demand increases, the choice of top cap wood shifts. The definitions of Eastern and Western maple supersede the actual genus descriptions in the marketing speak. It is safe to assume that Eastern maple would be Acer saccharum, while Western maple would more then likely be Big Leaf maple, or Acer macrophyllum. I am not privy to Gibson's purchasing records, nor do I claim any inside knowledge of their wood selection. If someone from Gibson wants to chime in and set me straight I welcome your input. All the disclaimers aside, here's the difference as I see it:
Bigleaf Maple
Scientific Name: Acer macrophyllum
Distribution: Coastal regions of Pacific North America
Average Dried Weight: 34lbs/ft3 (545 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .44
Hardness: 850 lbf (3,780 N)
Notice that the mahogany is now harder then the maple. Now the hardness ratio changes to .94:1
Hmmm...
If we wander back to the data posted earlier for the cypress and Nepalese alder we find that REMEE has a 1.34:1 hardness ratio between the top cap and body. This puts REMEE closer to the original Les Paul design ratio then the modern Les Paul's with a "Western" maple top cap.
So, what does this all mean, Blanche? Well, in generic terms, it means that DY has created a beast that should have more sustain then his original body design and is significantly lighter weight then a Les Paul. I haven't heard it, but I am guessing this guitar has a slightly more defined tone then it had previously, and has picked up a bit more sustain and "ring" to it. With the hotter pickups I would imagine this is a much more versatile guitar then it was in its previous incantation.
But, we'll need some sound samples for that one...hint, hint...
My diatribe aside, Double Yoi has created a very unique guitar from a non-traditional tonewood. Anyone with a charge card and a wood shop can copy an existing design and nail it. Going outside of the box to create something unique, that sounds different from the accepted norm, or anything else, is what interests me personally. More inspiration and less imitation.
That is all. Please place your tray table in the locked and upright position as you exit.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
Before I begin, let me say that actual hardness within a selected species can vary significantly. The data included here is for general reference and should not be interpreted as Gospel, or carved in stone anywhere. Do not storm the castle with torches if your personal data differs from mine.
I spent some time this morning on a little research inspired by this guitar. We can identify the cypress easily enough, but the "alder" in the Affinity Butterscotch, according to Fender, is not specifically identified by species. Since the guitar comes out of China, and the odds are good they're using a species indigenous to the region, my guess is that it's Nepalese Alder, which is lighter and softer then North American or European alder...so...
REMEE Top Cap Wood:
Cypress
Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum
Distribution: Southeastern United States
Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft3 (525 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .42
Hardness: 510 lbf (2,270 N)
Suspected REMEE Body Wood:
Nepalese Alder, Utis
Scientific Name: Alnus nepalensis
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Average Dried Weight: 25 lbs/ft3 (395 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .32
Hardness: 380 lbf (1,690 N)
Why is this important? Let's take a look at the most recognizable capped guitar out there...the Les Paul. Originally, in the first 1950's models, the spec called for a Hard Maple top over a mahogany body. We'll use a traditional mahogany species for the purposes of this diatribe.
Hard Maple, Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
Scientific Name: Acer saccharum
Distribution: Northeastern United States
Average Dried Weight: 44 lbs/ft3 (705 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .56
Hardness: 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
Honduran Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany
Scientific Name: Swietenia macrophylla
Distribution: From Southern Mexico to central South America; also commonly grown on plantations
Average Dried Weight: 41 lbs/ft3 (655 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .54
Hardness: 900 lbf (4,000 N)
This puts the hardness ratio between the body and the cap at 1.61:1
Now, as time progresses, and demand increases, the choice of top cap wood shifts. The definitions of Eastern and Western maple supersede the actual genus descriptions in the marketing speak. It is safe to assume that Eastern maple would be Acer saccharum, while Western maple would more then likely be Big Leaf maple, or Acer macrophyllum. I am not privy to Gibson's purchasing records, nor do I claim any inside knowledge of their wood selection. If someone from Gibson wants to chime in and set me straight I welcome your input. All the disclaimers aside, here's the difference as I see it:
Bigleaf Maple
Scientific Name: Acer macrophyllum
Distribution: Coastal regions of Pacific North America
Average Dried Weight: 34lbs/ft3 (545 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .44
Hardness: 850 lbf (3,780 N)
Notice that the mahogany is now harder then the maple. Now the hardness ratio changes to .94:1
Hmmm...
If we wander back to the data posted earlier for the cypress and Nepalese alder we find that REMEE has a 1.34:1 hardness ratio between the top cap and body. This puts REMEE closer to the original Les Paul design ratio then the modern Les Paul's with a "Western" maple top cap.
So, what does this all mean, Blanche? Well, in generic terms, it means that DY has created a beast that should have more sustain then his original body design and is significantly lighter weight then a Les Paul. I haven't heard it, but I am guessing this guitar has a slightly more defined tone then it had previously, and has picked up a bit more sustain and "ring" to it. With the hotter pickups I would imagine this is a much more versatile guitar then it was in its previous incantation.
But, we'll need some sound samples for that one...hint, hint...
My diatribe aside, Double Yoi has created a very unique guitar from a non-traditional tonewood. Anyone with a charge card and a wood shop can copy an existing design and nail it. Going outside of the box to create something unique, that sounds different from the accepted norm, or anything else, is what interests me personally. More inspiration and less imitation.
That is all. Please place your tray table in the locked and upright position as you exit.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
