Swamp Ash
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Swamp Ash is a decent sounding lower cost wood that takes a finish beautifully and is light enough to resonate well but strong enough to be stable.

About 5 years ago a large very credible guitar company started producing a guitar made entirely from "Swamp Ash."  This guitar did not meet with my approval for many reasons. I am only going to list the reasons pertaining to the actual wood on this page.

  1. It was very overpriced. In fact it cost more than one of their Maple and Mahogany models. By doing this they were trying to create the mystique that "Swamp Ash" was the very best of woods you could buy. Given their level of respect and credibility in the industry it would have been possible for them to actually succeed at this scam.
  2. The fact of the matter was that  their original guitars sounded much better, had more versatility and listed for about $400.00 less than their new model.
  3. This guitar caused other manufacturers to jump on the "Swamp Ash" bandwagon forcing the price of raw "Swamp Ash" up, thereby creating a false impression that the wood was actually expensive.

There are a number of other problems I have with the guitar in question, but because this page is dedicated to wood I will not discuss them here.

Be advised I am not saying "Swamp Ash" is not a good tone wood. In fact I happen to like it along with Poplar, Basswood, and Alder. All are wonderful LOW COST tone woods.

Just don't try to sell it to me for the dashboard of a Rolls Royce.

Ed Roman, May 21, 2000

 

 

Where does the best "Swamp Ash" come from?
(Presumably a Swamp).

I am neither a Botanist or a Tree Surgeon; I do however have years of guitar building experience and very strong opinions of what woods look beautiful and what woods sound great.

If you have decided to buy an instrument made from "Swamp Ash",  I suggest the Louisiana Bayou Country as your best source.  I build a lot of pricey exotic guitars so I don't use a lot of "Swamp Ash". Currently I am building about 10 Pearlcasters a year made with "Swamp Ash". Approximately 6 Quicksilver's a year made from "Swamp Ash" and possibly several one of a kind custom guitars a year using "Swamp Ash".

I am buying my "Swamp Ash lumber" directly from Gerard Melancon of Melancon Guitars. I have found that the absolute best "Swamp Ash" comes from Louisiana and Gerard is located directly in the heart of "Swamp Ash" country.  In fact to dramatize this Gerard could simply go out behind his house and cut big beautiful slabs. Gerard's guitars often have one piece "Swamp Ash" backs with gorgeous Quilted Maple tops. Gerard also builds a model made entirely from "Swamp Ash".  I have seen some one piece bodies and book matched ones. The old original Fender Ash Stratocasters are usually made from three  2"x 4"  pieces of Ash. The grain is seldom matched and therefore they have a mismatched look to them.

In contrast the Melancon guitars seem to be built from some of the most visually appealing "Swamp Ash"  I have seen. The grain is very swirled and matched beautifully.

 

 

 

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