Any tone difference between mica or wood?

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

I am just curious as to know if there is any tone difference between a wood body guitar and a mica finish. It seems to me that the wood finished guitars might have a more mellow sound to them than a mica finish. Also, would there be any sustain difference? Thanks for any input. Albert
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Williams D-12 9x7, Emmons PP D-10, 8X5, Quilter SteeAire amp.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Albert, How are you doing? I have owned both lacquer and mica finished guitars. My preference is for the lacquer. To my ears, there is a small, nasally sounding ping with the mica that I don't care for. Some other opinions will differ, I'm sure. My Lacquer Williams will peel paint off the walls if you are worried about having enough highs. ( The metal necks are brighter than a wood neck ), but are also stronger. I can tweak mine to about any tone a person would want. Hope this helps you somewhat. ( The advantage that mica has over the wood is what I call dink defense. Mica is hard to dink (dent). If you dink a lacquer, it will probably be with the guitar until its demise. (Gives it CHARACTER Laughing

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Opinions on this vary greatly from what I've read in the past. It's my belief that there's several different factors that figure into it. A good changer that's mounted properly, along with factors like the way the body is put together, a good pick up and of course, a good set of hands along with good wood can make a great sounding lacquer or mica guitar. Personally, I prefer a mica body because of the durable mica. I've had both. The only material I hadn't had a chance to try is the carbon fiber that MSA uses. (I believe the carbon fiber body is correct here) Also, to me, each guitar is a little different, even from two that are just alike.

Mark Kelchen · From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA

Albert, Contact Dennis Detweiler. He has first hand experience with this re: his Zum U-12 and his MSA U-12. He would gladly share his findings.

Delvin Morgan · From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

Albert,
How are you doing? My Williams 12 string ( the one you did so well on at Duluth) is is maple with maple neck, and least you can sure make it sound great. I also have a mica Emmons, and the Willy sounds mellower.
You can't beat maple and laquer.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

My limited experience with a mica MSA and a lacquer one was that the solid maple one has the better tone.
The only other non-expert in the house is my wife, and she noticed the difference instantly.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

are the MICA Guitars not Solid Maple ?

Art Beard · From: Once upon a time out west (deceased)

how much difference is there between a metal neck on wood body and a wood neck?? New to steels and looking for my first. thanks Art

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

JMO... The metal neck is slightly brighter than a wood neck. But, how you set your amp also has a great bearing on the overall tone. Both sound great to me.

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

Nah.. there's no difference in sound in an Emmons and a Sho-Bud... zero...

Shocked

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Jay Ganz · From: Out Behind The Barn

I'm not sure if you're looking to buy one or the other, but the
lacquer ones are quite a bit more expensive. Wood necks adds
even more bucks. Rolling Eyes

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

This is really not an answerable question unless you compare identical guitars made around the same time from the same lumber, differing only in the mica vs. lacquer body. With so many variables that contribute to the sonic signature of any steel guitar, for me to compare my lacquer Carter to my mica Fessenden and conclude that lacquer guitars sound like this, mica guitars sound like that would be none too swift. And I would hesitate to attribute all differences in sound between my Carter and a mica Carter to the finish, considering all the other elements involved. This is not to say that I don't think there is a difference. I expect there is. Just hard to generalize or quantify.

And btw, mica Carters have maple bodies as does my Fess, and, I believe, my p/p, the only guitars I'm qualified to comment on.

Ronnie Green · From: Des Moines, New Mexico, USA

Art. If you play outside alot, you have to remember temperature. Metal moves, thus you will have tuning nightmares if you don't have experience in this situation.

Rick Kornacker · From: Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA

Hey Albert!
a little more input...your comment that a lacquer guitar being more "mellow" than mica is a notion that is probably true about Sho-Bud guitars...might even go so far as saying that this idea was perpetuated by Lloyd's(Green) undeniable mellow tone.(Compare his "Bud" tone to that of the JCH tone on the "Reflections" album. And, since there were virtually no mica "Sho-Buds" a comparison is not readily available. My current guitar is a Williams lacquer finish guitar with a metal neck...when I ordered it from Bill I was expecting it to strongly resemble a "Bud" in it's tonal characteristics, but I really didn't have my heart set on that sound.Turns out to sound as much like a mica guitar as the real thing...bright, clear, great separation, and great sustain. Bill told me that a wood neck would mellow it a bit. Honestly, I bought the guitar as much for cosmetic reasons as any, wanting that nostalgic "look".I got more in this one package than all of my previous guitars put together! For general purposes it would probably be best to consider a particular make of steel..then compare it's wood and mica counterpart. Regards, RK
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"think MORE...play LESS"

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

I agree with that kid from Brooklyn.
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Art Beard · From: Once upon a time out west (deceased)

Thanks for the info. Art

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

When I have compared two Franklin's (one mica, one wood, both metal necks, same pickups, same amp) they do have a slightly different sound. The mica was a bit more focused and solid sounding than the wood. The wood had a bit more of that warm, sweet Franklin signature sound. For my purposes I prefered the mica.

If you are talking to a builder about wood or mica I would trust there experience and suggestions about the differences in sound in there particular steels.
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Bob

Tommy Young · From: Ethelsville Alabama

i do work on a good many steels and for the most part the lacquer or wood guitars have a much sweeter tone but as most plp know they are much easier to ding and scratch-up than formica so the choice is yours tommy

Gordon Sharp · From: Kingston, Tennessee

Albert after hearing and playing with you at Greenville last spring,I do not think it would matter what the guitar was made of.You would make it sound great.Thats a fact: Gordon Sharp Kingston Tenn.

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

Thanks for all the comments. I agreee that that wood guitars will not be as durable as a mica finish, and that the neck choice (aluminum or wood) will make a difference in tone. I grew up with Lloyd as my hero and loved his tone. It's mostly in the hands. I hope to see everyone at the next Jam in Greenville. Blessings, Albert
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Williams D-12 9x7, Emmons PP D-10, 8X5, Quilter SteeAire amp.

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