Pine Guitar Bodies

[ChrisK]

We've talked some about pine as a wood for guitar bodies.

PINE!

Squier has the following for $299.

Squier’s Classic Vibe Telecaster ’50s puts classic “blackguard” Telecaster vibe into a gorgeous Vintage Blonde-finished pine-body guitar—you’ll be hard-pressed to tell whether or not you are holding a premium ash-body instrument. The vintage-tint gloss-maple neck has a maple fingerboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets and a modern 9.5” radius. Distinctive Telecaster tone rings from the custom alnico III single-coil pickups—giving clear note separation even when distorted, strong midrange dynamic response and plenty of solo high-end bite.

www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0303025507

guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-CLASSIC-VIBE-Telecaster-50s-Electric-Guitar-?sku=519376

[lpdeluxe]

I dunno, but I'm a Gibson guy for guitars (all Fender for basses, but no pine).

Speaking of pine, there was an abusive talk show host on TV in Los Angeles many years ago who interviewed Frank Zappa.

Host: You have long hair. Does that mean you're a girl?
FZ: You have a wooden leg. Does that mean you're a table?

The host's name was Joe Pyne.

So I'd keep away from that Squier. It might make stupid noises.

[ChrisK]

Well, no.

Pine was used in the original Esquire. It has its place (and tone).

Fortunately pine has been replaced by spruce.

[cynical1]

Dec 15, 2008 23:34:57 GMT -5 ChrisK said:

Fortunately pine has been replaced by spruce.

...Mr. Semantics rears his ugly head...again...

[newey]

And if you're in the mood for something in a hollow body, in knotty pine, there's this:

Gretsch Knotty Pine Roundup Limited Release

Bet it's not $299 though. . .

EDIT:And, is it just coincidence that both Squier and Gretsch have issued pine guitars in the past year or so? And that we've had 2 threads on the use of pine here recently?

I also note that Fender owns both Squier and Gretsch Guitars.

Do I detect a trend here? Or am I just being like one of those conspiracy wack-jobs?

[ChrisK]

Do I detect a trend here? Or am I just being like one of those conspiracy wack-jobs?

Yes.

With the recession (er, boomer speed bump), them redwood stained pine picnic tables and benches just ain't sellin' as well.....

[mastersja]

Hey folks, new here, but I wanted to chime in on this one.

Several years ago I had an "A-Ha!" moment when talking with a luthier near my old home town in Louisiana.

He had a mandolin that he was using as part of his display at a local concert, but, get this, the mandolin was made from magnolia.

Magnolias don't end up with very big trunks, and they have limbs from the ground to the top, unlike other trees.

He said finding a good piece of magnolia makes a wonderful tone wood, then proceded to play the mandolin a bit. (I can't play one at all)

It sounded fantastic.

I realized then, that there were probably a Whole Bunch of different types of wood out there that would make nice, resonant instruments if the wood was selected with care and dried properly, etc.

I've heard several Tele style guitars made from pine that sound pretty dang awesome, so even with pine, hearing is believing.

Heck, people still make them funky looking clear lucite guitars, so pine's GOT TO be better than that!

My $0.02

[jmartyg]

hmm i just saw this thread now. Looks liek i'll have to keep an eye on those teles for reviews.

[chuck]

how bad could they sound ?

[lpf3]

They don't sound so bad at all.

-lpf3

[chuck]

sounds pretty good to me