Robben Ford Discussion

[Linville]

So Ive searched through about 40+ threads, and Im wonderin if anybody knows yet whether The 61 tele is Alder or Ash??

[johan]

No one knows.
We asked Daved but no answer really.
Could be either.

[Linville]

I did read that the differences between alder and ash are miles apart. Are they really that different sounding? Im not familiar with either.

[frank0936]

According to this site they were still using ash in 1967. Supposedly Teles were available in ash, alder,or poplar, but this site only mentions ash

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender2.html#tele

[Phil T]

Elsewhere on that site is stated:
"I believe the reason the majority of Telecasters and Esquires are made of Ash is because their standard finish was blond. They aren't made of Ash just because they're Teles. Fender Blond finishes, because they are translucent, are always painted over Ash. Any other finish (after 1956), uses Alder. The reason is purely time and money. Ash, because it requires the additional step of "pore filling" (see above), requires more time and work to paint. That's why Fender switched to Alder in mid-1956. Alder is just a lot easier and cheaper to paint."

Source: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html where colors and finish are discussed, under the heading: Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (Ash Bodies).

[frank0936]

Thanks, Phil. I didn't have time to dig too deeply into the site.
Frank

[jconstant]

Unfortunately I don't have the answer for you but I did find a couple of interesting tidbits about the Tele in the piece done about Robben in the Oct 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine.

He says it's a 1960 that he got when he was with the Blue Line and he used it for the first time on Mystic Mile.

Just thought I'd mention the difference in the year in case it helps in your quest to find the answer.
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

[johan]

[Linville]

Nice picture! On the topic of wood, I have a question concerning tone in the older guitars. I have a '99 r7 goldtop, and it has, not sure how to call it, gaps or whatever, looks like little chips out of the fretboard, as Im told happens as the fretboard ages and dries out. I see a lot of people using oils,(and what kind of oil seems to be a discussion all its own) to fill in these gaps in the fretboard. Ive heard from folks that have experience with much older guitars and a lot of them credit the age of the wood and the drying out over time for a large reason in the tone. Apparently some of the oils never dry out and Im not too crazy how that might feel, or gum up the strings. Should I oil my fretboard or let it alone?

[pinner]

Definitely Ash. I had the guitar shown to me by Simon Law (tech and a great builder) after a Renegade Creation show and it looks like ash and he also agreed it was ash.

[tboulette]

Linville,

Just seeing this thread and don't know if you ever got an answer. I highly recommend lemon oil on rosewood fretboards. They don't need it often if you keep up with it -- depending on how dry the air is where you live and how often you play it, once a year might be plenty.

If your fretboard is dry and you're playing catch-up, you might want to do it every time you change strings for a bit. Better to put a little each time for several weeks then try to smack a whole lot on at once -- it needs time to soak in. You'll find the fretboard is faster and more comfortable; the neck needs adjustment less often; and the frets stay seated better.

There may be something to the "drying out" of a guitar's wood, but that should NOT include the fretboard. Dry fretboards are a recipe for unplayable guitars and/or significant fret repairs.