Swamp ash

A light, open-grained ash from trees grown in wet ground, prized for solid bodies because of its weight and its strong, even response.

Its cellular structure is more porous than most hardwoods, which makes it light for its stiffness, so a large body stays manageable on a strap, and its grain is bold enough that it is often left visible under a translucent finish. Tonally it is described as having a pronounced, slightly scooped midrange and a firm bottom end with good articulation, which suits clean and lightly overdriven playing. Availability varies, since the prized trees grow slowly.

Example: a lightly built swamp ash body under a clear finish is the classic look and sound of a natural-finish bolt-on guitar.

Swamp ash

See also