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The meaning of "light ash"?
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Author:  Alain Moisan [ Wed May 29, 2013 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  The meaning of "light ash"?

Hi group.

I'm not to knowledgeable when it comes to solid body electric (beside from setting them up), and a customer asked me if I could find information about "light ash".

He said he tried some Telecaster that apparently had a body made out of it, and he liked it. So he would like to get himself one. That said, no one (that I could find) seem to sell tele bodies mentioning they are made from "light ash". Just "Swamp ash".

Am I understanding correctly that "light ash" just means "lightweight" ash? And do you just basically need to get lucky to stumble upon one or some resellers actually sell swamp ash guitar bodies lighter then normal?

Thanks!

Author:  Chris Pile [ Wed May 29, 2013 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

I'm no expert on terminology, but as I understand - light ash means it weighs little.
Most of the swamp ash guitars I've known were pretty light.
Of course, we know that some ash is very dense - but I don't know what anyone called it, other than ash.

Author:  HaMMerHeD [ Wed May 29, 2013 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

It's a pretty ambiguous term, I think. It's probably referring to Fraxinus pennsylvanica, which is generally lighter than white ash (Fraxinus americana), which can be quite dense and is more frequently used in furniture, construction, and baseball bats.

Pennsylvanica is also known as green ash, red ash, swamp ash, and water ash. Americana is also known as white ash, american ash, and biltmore ash.

Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Wed May 29, 2013 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

It is an ambiguous term for sure. For all intents and purposes, my experience is that any ash weighing less than about 3 lbs/board foot will fit the bill.

Author:  Dekka [ Wed May 29, 2013 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

Swamp Ash light, Northern Ash heavy.
What HaMMerHeD said.

Author:  absrec [ Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

HaMMerHeD wrote:
It's a pretty ambiguous term, I think. It's probably referring to Fraxinus pennsylvanica, which is generally lighter than white ash (Fraxinus americana), which can be quite dense and is more frequently used in furniture, construction, and baseball bats.

Pennsylvanica is also known as green ash, red ash, swamp ash, and water ash. Americana is also known as white ash, american ash, and biltmore ash.


That makes sense. I was told Northen ash grows on dry land and Swamp (black) ash grows in the water.

James Ringelspaugh wrote:
It is an ambiguous term for sure. For all intents and purposes, my experience is that any ash weighing less than about 3 lbs/board foot will fit the bill.

Yes. 2lbs per bd ft. is usually what everyone wants. I don't mind it being a little heavier. Don't think you would ever find a piece of Northen ash that light.

Author:  Quine [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

Sounds like a BBQ gone wrong yuk yuk yuk

Author:  Darryl Young [ Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

Yeah, ny understanding is light ash is from down south often near/in water where it grows quicker and less dense. Northern ash grows slower and is typically more dense.

Author:  Alain Moisan [ Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The meaning of "light ash"?

Well, thanks for all the responses guys.

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