Japanese Sen-what IS it?

[crunchee]

I have a couple of Greco Tele Thinlines (late '70's or early '80's) that are made of what is apparently Japanese Sen-the wood looks similar to Ash but the grain is tighter and more even in appearance. I've tried to Google what Sen IS, but there's few references to it regarding guitars. As far as I can tell from my guitars, it's not as bright as Ash, but has a nice even frequency response across the board-with nicer mids and bass to my ears. It's almost like a cross between Alder and Ash in tone but definitely doesn't look like Alder, either.

I found a article online by Willie Moseley, done about a Ibanez Destroyer (Explorer shape) bass from Vintage Guitar Magazine, that apparently is also made from Sen. I've seen a few similar models from time to time (Fender and Gibson style) on Ebay. I also wonder if EVH's boogered Ibanez Destroyer was made from the same wood-the one where he supposedly sawed out a chunk of it. Any help is appreciated!

[murkat]

Destroyers, Rocket roll V's, etc, were built using Sen wood. Sen mostly used in furniture making. I like the tone of Sen, one of my fav tone woods. Mytake is a cross between ash/alder tone wise. EVH's Dest is/was Sen as all of them were, even Ace's, Tommy Bolin, etc......

alot of the early japan made guitars that look like Ash will be probably be made of Sen.

[crunchee]

Thanks! That helps!!! I think the Levinson 'Blade' guitars were made from Sen, as well as some early Fender Japan Teles and Tele Thinlines too, from what I can find online. I'm surprised that Sen isn't referenced as a tone wood more often. Is there a good reference to it out there?

[murkat]

like you, google.... japan sen wood. find the scientific name, cross reerence as much as you can. you wont find much at all for tone, instrument apps thou.

[crunchee]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[jginsj]

Is Sen another name for basswood? Because I'm pretty sure all the Destroyers, V's, etc were basswood bodies...at least they were advertised that way....

[murkat]

Is Sen another name for basswood? Because I'm pretty sure all the Destroyers, V's, etc were basswood bodies...at least they were advertised that way....

maybe the 80's destroyer II's etc. but the first gen gibby lookalikes were sen, basswood is not pretty on its own with clear coat.

[Guest JackButler]

May be hard to find info also due to there are strict guidelines and restrictions on how much native japanese wood can be commercially harvested. They import most all of the wood they use for all manufacturing.

[BigWhiteB12a]

Sen is actually a native Japanese wood. It's primary use for musical instruments is in the construction of Taiko drums. Ibanez "Korinas" from the 70s, the rather popular Aria SB series basses from the early 80s, and quite a few of the "Ash" MIJ Fender guitars & basses from the 80s & 90s were made of Sen.

[Willie G. Moseley]

That VG article was my first "encounter" with the wood, and in doing research I was told it was indigenous to Japan/east Asia, and had "ash-like properties" both cosmetically and sonically.

+1 on basswood being OK sonically but not cosmetically attractive.

[jginsj]

the rather popular Aria SB series basses from the early 80s...

Hey, whaddya know, I have one of those sitting in my music room. It's tobacco burst and the wood that I can see looks like, ummm, "door" wood...

[crunchee]

My camera is messed up at the moment so I can't take photos, but here is a reference to check out-and the grain to my guitars is very very similar (they're finished natural):

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sen.htm

I've had some older Japanese made Fender Strats that were Basswood-they were done in Sunburst but had a VERY bland grain pattern-Sen definitely isn't bland looking. There's probably photos of Basswood online just like these for Sen. The odd thing is, I've found references online for Sen that say it's from the Ash family, or Cypress family, or one that says it's from the Ivy family. Confusing!

[tombo]

Japanese sen is (as described by a Japanese store owner friend) kind of like ash. As has been mentioned above, it's native to Japan.

Gotta love the lawsuit era Grecos. Here's my '79 Super Sound strat copy. It's got Seymour Duncan Antiquity II 60's Surfers in it (Custom Bridge, RW/RP middle, and neck model). These pickups transformed this guitar from a "nice for a Japanese copy" to "excellent, regardless of brand or country of origin strat." It really is THAT good! I had a set of Van Zandts in there (Rock, Vintage +, Vintage +) (←　got a deal on them, and was able to return them with no loss) and they were fine pickups. However, the 60's Surfers are just sooooo sweet. Don't let the "surf" moniker fool ya. They can do blues, rock, and country just fine, but I've found that they nail Robert Cray and Mark Knopfler sounds.

Here's some pictures (not very good ones though):

You can see in this picture below where the pickgaurd had to be drilled to accommodate the modern 5-way switch. Position 1 is where the old screw used to be.