Agathis bodies

Allen Garrow · #1 03-07-2005, 03:17 PM

Where does "Agathis" fall into tone groups. I'm familiar with Alder & basswood. I've been looking at BcRich again after forgetting about them when the classic "R" guitars gave way to Bronze, platinum, platinum pro and NJ. It appears to be hard pressed to find a Warlock with neck thru anymore. I've seen some on Evil bay,,,but the site doesn't seem to show it as an offering. The new 05's look like they have a similar to "AANJ".

I love the Classic look of the Warlock, Bich and even the mockingbird. Bc's used to be a thing of beauty and were expensive. I really don't know anything about the New "BcRich".

I guess I could always have LGM build me a Warlock with AANJ... I could have him make a Neon green warlock 7 string with disappearing pyramids inlays on a maple fret board. Did I mention hard tail.

whatshisname · #2 03-07-2005, 03:34 PM

Agathis is a type of Mahogany, so I'd guess that it sounds somewhat like... uh... Mahogany?

I think it's actually a furniture grade Mahogany. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

whatshisname · #3 03-07-2005, 04:16 PM

http://www.bcrich.com/services/faqs.asp?uid=9

Allen Garrow · #4 03-07-2005, 04:28 PM

LOL,,, thanks whatshisname,,,,that cleared it all up

This is what BcRich says "What is Agathis wood?
Agathis is sometimes referred to as “commercial grade mahogany”. It is indigenous to the Far East and the South Pacific.

Ok, So now that the myth has been put to rest. Has anyone have an opinion on Agathis,,, being that I've never played a mahagony guitar either. Where does it fit in as far as Tone wood goes?

~A

Phillip · #5 03-07-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Garrow

Ok, So now that the myth has been put to rest. Has anyone have an opinion on Agathis,,, being that I've never played a mahagony guitar either. Where does it fit in as far as Tone wood goes?

~A

I don't think it is a good wood for guitar. It is quite heavy, not very good sounding and very cheap (used on guitars under 200$). I used to have cheap LP copy from Cort, it was from aghatis. It wasn't so bad, but if you compare it to mahogany, there's big difference. And wood used on furniture usually is not good for musical instruments , not every wood "sings", it is harder to find good sonant wood for instrument. But for furniture you can use quite everything (if it's not very fragile or brittle). It is a good wood for beginner guitar, but if you are looking for something good sounding, especially on clean settings, look on different wood. But for very distorted sound, it doesn't matter - you can use plywood as well :-)

Allen Garrow · #6 03-07-2005, 06:14 PM

Thanks Phllip, that was what I was wondering. I've alway related a quality guitar to Alder or basswood and whatever the hell a 1970 Gibson explorer was made of. I have only ever had the 2 above mentioned woods. I heard others mention mahogany a few times and assume its a quality wood capable of good tone. Yet never heard anything of Agathis here on forum. ( not that I have researched in any depth until today )

Yeah, as much as I would love to have one unless I can get the alder body or basswood I can't imagine being happy with the tone after being so spoiled by the white jem and many UV's and a few Prestige 7's. I may just save up my pennies and have LGM make one.

~A

JESTER700 · #7 03-07-2005, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Garrow

Thanks Phllip, that was what I was wondering. I've alway related a quality guitar to Alder or basswood and whatever the hell a 1970 Gibson explorer was made of. I have only ever had the 2 above mentioned woods. I heard others mention mahogany a few times and assume its a quality wood capable of good tone. Yet never heard anything of Agathis here on forum. ( not that I have researched in any depth until today )

Yeah, as much as I would love to have one unless I can get the alder body or basswood I can't imagine being happy with the tone after being so spoiled by the white jem and many UV's and a few Prestige 7's. I may just save up my pennies and have LGM make one.

~A

Interesting. There are tons of Les Paul fans who would have their drink coming out their nose if they read your post. ;-) Not that they'd be right, but it's interesting how basswood is above mahogany in some people's minds. (again, no slight to you; it's a taste call - just an interesting observation).

dex · #8 03-07-2005, 08:28 PM

Most GRX/GAX Ibanez guitars and the Yamaha Pacifica 012 are made from agathis - you can try them at any guitar shop.
Look for the "Made in Indonesia" badge and you're there......
To me Agathis is the new Basswood - not as heavy as mahogany, not as tight but still decent enough.

ilia

Allen Garrow · #9 03-07-2005, 08:47 PM

Right on,,, I guess it ( like always ) come down to what you hear and like. Even the alder bodies don't all sound the same. It just concerns me, because I look at as being cheaper wood. I've only heard of BcRich using this exclusively ( I may be wrong but I think all there stuff is agathis ).

So jester,,,what are the majority of Gibson made from? Like I said earlier I had an actual 1970 explorer that was awesome,,, it was nasty ass beat up black but the tone was insane, I used a DiMarzio Megadrive in the bridge and a PAF in the neck...whoa. Back then I didn't care what the material was. Now however I seem to have "Wood" issues

~A

JESTER700 · #10 03-07-2005, 11:30 PM

Well, I'm not familiar with too many Gibsons. I like the feel of the old SG necks and the look of the Explorer, but that's it - they're probably my least favorite brand! But Les Paul standards were/are mahogany with a maple cap, and deluxes were all mahogany. I THINK a lot of other stuff was mahogany too, but again, I dunno.

Cost is not necessarily a big deal, IMO. Just because we're all used to alder because that's what LEO could get cheap in the 50's and mahogany because Gibson like building fine furniture doesn't mean basswood, poplar, agathis, and graphite aren't fine building materials.

Phillip · #11 03-08-2005, 07:49 AM

Quite all guitars from Gibson have mahogany body and mahogany or maple necks. Few series like Voodoo have different wood (ash).

Phillip · #12 03-08-2005, 07:53 AM

Some people may like baswood over mahogany because of mid. Mahogany have o lot of mid frequencies in sound (some people don´t like this) and baswood has more bass and treble without dominant mids (imagine V shape on EQ). And baswood is light wood compared to mahogany. But in spite of this a like mahogany more :-)

fishhead785 · #13 03-10-2005, 01:15 PM

there is an entire discussion about using different wood for bodies at www.suhrguitars.com which hopefully will inform you a bit more about different "tonewoods"

Scott Smith · #14 03-10-2005, 06:41 PM

Allen,
Your Explorer was Mahogany. Both neck and body. And for the record, Les Paul Deluxes are mahog/maple just like the Standards. I've seen Customs that are all mahogany...

Never played the wood you mention but to me, mahogany is the best wood for guitars. I don't find it midrangey at all, quite the oposite. It has great low end, better than basswood. The basswood guitars I've owned, don't have one now, had a nice light, open sound to them. Very resonant. But for overall CHUNK, go for mahogany...

I remember when people dismissed basswood as a cheap alternative to alder. basswood and poplar both. I'm not a huge fan of poplar but basswood is good...

JESTER700 · #15 03-10-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Smith

Allen,
Your Explorer was Mahogany. Both neck and body. And for the record, Les Paul Deluxes are mahog/maple just like the Standards. I've seen Customs that are all mahogany...

Custom musta been what I was thinkin' of. SEE? Told ya I don't know from Gibson... ;-)