Ash Body Electric Guitars

There are two main types of Ash used in electric guitar manufacturing; Swamp Ash and Hard Ash. The former is the more common of the two, known for producing a balanced sound with a slightly scooped mid-range; giving it a soft and sweet tonal character. Hard Ash, as its name suggests, is a denser timber that not only weighs a little more, but also delivers a brighter tone with a pinch more sustain. These materials are often used to form the bodies of electric guitars.

Both Swamp Ash and Hard Ash typically have deep grain patterns, making them ideal for translucent colour finishes. Although Fender remains the biggest proponent of Ash, companies like Schecter, G&L and Ibanez also use it extensively.