So I'm thinking about a Washburn N4 (Nuno)..opinions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jkdsteve
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jkdsteve

jkdsteve

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Anyone got any opinion on Alder vs Swamp Ash vs Padauk or indeeed any general tone characteristics of these?

Guitar comes with BL 500L and SD '59 as stock.

I posted this on HCEG and the answers weren't too helpful....and I know you guys are so have at it :D
 
OT: There is a new Extreme record coming out very soon :rock: Nuno FTW!
 
I love alder but I have no experience with swamp ash or padauk.
 
I've only had one guitar that was swamp ash, a Framus 7 string with a JB7 in the bridge. To be honest, it actually reminded me of what the JB sounds like in mahogany guitars, but the ovangkol neck probably had a lot to do with the tone as well. I'd say just buy a used one then sell it if it sucks. It's not like you're gonna keep it anyways. :D :lol: :LOL:
 
Megadeth7684":25zsc4dz said:
I've only had one guitar that was swamp ash, a Framus 7 string with a JB7 in the bridge. To be honest, it actually reminded me of what the JB sounds like in mahogany guitars, but the ovangkol neck probably had a lot to do with the tone as well. I'd say just buy a used one then sell it if it sucks. It's not like you're gonna keep it anyways. :D :lol: :LOL:
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Dude..you hurt my feelings! :lol: :LOL:
















Wanna buy a guitar?
 
I prefer ash over the other two personally. just a much tighter sound, better lows and mids.
 
I remember talking to a guy that had the padauk one and said it was the best axe ever.

PS...you are rollin through the gear....Mod50, Explorer, now Nuno? damn!
 
crwnedblasphemy":3d5wpyhc said:
I remember talking to a guy that had the padauk one and said it was the best axe ever.

PS...you are rollin through the gear....Mod50, Explorer, now Nuno? damn!
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Sold some other gear tho' and probably more on the way out the door :D

When are you coming to teach my gear what a guitarist sounds like? :lol: :LOL:

Only be a Nunu if I can get one for a good price....last auction ended without reserve being met at around $800.....some ppl smoke crack for a living it seems.
 
JKD":39u1m0hy said:
crwnedblasphemy":39u1m0hy said:
I remember talking to a guy that had the padauk one and said it was the best axe ever.

PS...you are rollin through the gear....Mod50, Explorer, now Nuno? damn!
Click to expand...

Sold some other gear tho' and probably more on the way out the door :D

When are you coming to teach my gear what a guitarist sounds like? :lol: :LOL:

Only be a Nunu if I can get one for a good price....last auction ended without reserve being met at around $800.....some ppl smoke crack for a living it seems.
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I am so happy with my gear now I don't know if I wanna come by and play that Mod50? Might ruin a good thing I have goin? haha :lol: :LOL:
 
the N4 alder is the first of the guitars ever made, originally made by Stephen Davies in Everett WA.

The tone is reputed to be most balanced with equal doses of lows, mids and highs.
Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight (about four pounds for a Strat body) and its full sound

as for ASH
It is a fairly light weight wood which makes it easily distinguishable from Hard Ash. A Strat body will normally weigh under 5 lbs.
The grain is open
It is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with a lot of "pop".

padauk

open grain texture similar to rosewood and a tone similar to maple with great mids and attack. This is a heavy to medium weight
arguably the most sought after version of the n4, the open grain lends itself to a percussive attack. the Weight of N4's using this wood can range anywhere from 8.5 to 11 lbs!!
 
I had a paduak one, it was VERY bright between the L500 and the wood - more of a lead players sound imo - didn't like it for rhythm, pretty cool otherwise
 
Paduak is a very bright a very brittle wood. We had a lot of repairs coming into the shop with headstock, neck and body cracks. Just so you know.

A buddy of mine has an older N4 Paduak, and he's had the neck repaired twice. The Maple neck and Ash body models do not have this problem. There's also a cracking issue with the Stephens Extended cutaway with the paduak models.
 
ZielGuitarist":1qsxefh4 said:
Paduak is a very bright a very brittle wood. We had a lot of repairs coming into the shop with headstock, neck and body cracks. Just so you know.

A buddy of mine has an older N4 Paduak, and he's had the neck repaired twice. The Maple neck and Ash body models do not have this problem. There's also a cracking issue with the Stephens Extended cutaway with the paduak models.
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Guess I'll steer clear of that..thanks.

I'm not a fan of super bright either and lots of people have said that with the Padauk and BL combo.
 
I personally never cared for the Nuno guitars. The neck joint is interesting though. It was designed by Stephen's Stringed Instruments in Seattle. If you're gonna get one, the the high end one with the Stephen's Extended Cutaway.
 
chunktone":205t2k7s said:
I personally never cared for the Nuno guitars. The neck joint is interesting though. It was designed by Stephen's Stringed Instruments in Seattle. If you're gonna get one, the the high end one with the Stephen's Extended Cutaway.
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The cutaway really IS excellent. Very comfortable.
 
I have a Paduak. It is very heavy and with the Bill Lawrence it is VERY bright. So, I swapped out the L-500L with a Suhr SSH+ and now the guitar sounds worlds better. Im much happier. Still has a very percussive attack but the tone is just more balances now. With the Lawrence its basically all high end.

It is a great playing guitar though and the Stevens Cutaway is a nice touch.

I think the Paduak is the nicest looking of them and until this thread I hadnt heard anything about Paduak being brittle. Mine feels pretty damn rock solid.

I think the N4 is one of the best shredder axes out there. Just a great solid rock machine.
 
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