Maple tops affect on tone?

[brokenvail]

This week I have been on a factory tour watching spree. I have seen EB, Tom Anderson, Suhr and PRS. I noticed that maple tops are kind of thin. It made me wonder how much does a maple top affect/influence tone? I then started wondering about all the other variables. You know neck wood, fretboard, body. What % of tone is dictated my all of these? The combination of woods is how we achieve the tones we have.

[Pietro]

There is an EXCELLENT discussion here.

http://andersonguitars.com/support/bodywood.cfm

[brokenvail]

I have read that many times. The ash in alder sound very interesting! I have also seen the section on neck woods but not talk of the total interaction.

[curtisjames]

For what it's worth, I have two guitars with exact Tom Anderson pickups and wiring configurations, with both having complete differences in personality. Both are Tele bodies with a HC 1 in the neck, and a TF3 in the bridge, push pull tone, five way. I need the versatility for both modern country, rock, and some bluesy influences. guitar 1 is solid Swamp Ash, guitar 2: hollow T swamp top, alder back. Guitar one I'd describe as thick, and breathy. BIG sounding. its begging for a Marshall. Guitar 2: very articulate, snappy, gets amazing crazy harmonic tones, and cuts through everything like a knife . ITs also a good two pounds lighter. So, again electronically identical, with very different outcomes. They are both cool, with guitar 2 .....my go to número UNO.
My other guitarist is playing through a 69 Super ?...so to complement I run through my 59 DeArmond. Otherwise I'm running through my Dr Z's in other projects.

Again, in regards to your question.....EVERYTHING, is part of the picture. Ie:Speakers are often over looked.

[brokenvail]

For what it's worth, I have two guitars with exact Tom Anderson pickups and wiring configurations, with both having complete differences in personality. Both are Tele bodies with a HC 1 in the neck, and a TF3 in the bridge, push pull tone, five way. I need the versatility for both modern country, rock, and some bluesy influences. guitar 1 is solid Swamp Ash, guitar 2: hollow T swamp top, alder back. Guitar one I'd describe as thick, and breathy. BIG sounding. its begging for a Marshall. Guitar 2: very articulate, snappy, gets amazing crazy harmonic tones, and cuts through everything like a knife . ITs also a good two pounds lighter. So, again electronically identical, with very different outcomes. They are both cool, with guitar 2 .....my go to número UNO.
My other guitarist is playing through a 69 Super ?...so to complement I run through my 59 DeArmond. Otherwise I'm running through my Dr Z's in other projects.

Again, in regards to your question.....EVERYTHING, is part of the picture. Ie:Speakers are often over looked.
Thanks for sharing and starting some gas for the alder ash combo!

[harritone]

Maple tops, to me, tend to brighten and tighten up the sound, the thicker maple, the brighter the instrument....why LPs have them with the Mahogany....However, EVERYTHING IMO, every little part on a guitar, affects its' tone....including the craftmanship...which is why I love the consistency of Andersons....