discountsounds Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 I've wanted a Daytona since, oh, 1993 (1994?) when they first came out. I got a T-51 instead because I had a Japanese Strat, but no Tele. By the time I could afford a Daytona, they were out of production. Now I'm cruising eBay, Craig's List, The Gear Page and here looking for a used one.Anyway, it's my understanding that Hamer switched from ash to alder bodies in '95 or '96 for the Daytonas until they were discontinued in 1997. So I'm looking for opinions: ash or alder? And is there any way to tell if a Daytona is ash or alder other than going by the serial number and making an assumption? And what is the difference between the two woods anyway?
ET_KenW Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 Keep watching E-bay. There is usually a Daytona week every third month, or so. This is when there are about five or six USA Daytonas up for sale. That's where I picked up my 93 about two months ago.If I remember the posts that have been put up over the two woods, it is that I think Alder is the preferred wood. It is slightly lighter than Ash, and more resonant. But don't trust my memory on this. I'm sure others will chime in with specifics. Another way to tell the difference, if I remember correctly, is that the figuring on Ash has a sharper definition to it when it turns. While Alder is a more rounded figuring.Hope this info helps. As I said, more knowledgeable responses will surely follow.
darc Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 I'm not so good with the tone-speak but every time a bolt-on's acoustic tone catches my attention at being something really special, it turns out to be alder.
hardheartedbill Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 Hamer used some really nice grained ash, most were also on the heavy side, a near 10lb Daytona is fairly common in the early ones. they have a brighter tone w/ faster attack, if you like country or americana , surf or anything that need a fast articulate voice go ash. alder is generally lighter and has a warmer softer tone, blues players looking for that fat strat tone like alder
pesocaster Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 Ash! Not for sale..... Total vintage vibe..... Although this one can scream bloddy murder through the right amp....
KeyOfZ Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 Ash also..... I would love to get an Alder one as well. Better than any Strat I have ever played. Good luck on your search!
JordanL Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 In general Alder is the more comon strat wood-its a bit warmer. Ash is brighter and more common in the tele world. Ash usually looks better with transparent finishes. Heres my '94 Ash body
bobbymack Posted July 12, 2005 Posted July 12, 2005 I had an ash one a few years back, nice guitar but a boat anchor. Way heavier than any of my Les Pauls...I have an alder T51 that I love, and my Strat is alder. So, I vote alder.
JohnnyB Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 It's really hard to generalize about ash because it varies so much in density, moisture, weight, etc.When you have a light, porous piece of ash, hardly anything can touch it. It's resonant, airy, with a rich tone and sustains like a mofo. If you've ever played one of the early Fenders made with a one-piece lightweight ash body, you'd swear you were playing a thinline, the tone is so airy. When ash is dense it's heavy, nasal-sounding, lotsa midrange, and still sustains like a mofo. Alder is more consistent. Good resonance, on the warm side of neutral, and sweet and musical. I like "good" ash the best, alder will always do, and "bad" ash is a distant third.I used to have a G&L Legacy Special with wood like Peso's Daytona -- ash body, maple neck/fb, but with G&L's dual blad Strat-sized humbuckers. I DO miss that guitar. It had wonderful tone yet plenty of bite when called for and always good sustain.
BTMN Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 I gotta say Ash too. My Black '94 Daytona is Ash also. My T51 with a lil color on it is a nice Ash guitar too. I'm a lucky guitar playin' fool.
ZR Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 Rob, that's my least favorite guitar finish but NOT on your guitar!! That's awesome!Mine's transparent blue over ash...
pesocaster Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 Rob, that's my least favorite guitar finish but NOT on your guitar!! That's awesome!Mine's transparent blue over ash... I am VERY picky about sunburst guitars..... for a strat it has to be tobacco ... almost black at the edges and very light amber in the middle.... no obvious red tones.... That trans blue is NICE!Oh and mine is a med weight Ash... it's just right...
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