So What About Poplar?

[Jeremiah]

So... poplar does not seem to be a wood that people recommend or like to use, even though it is cheap and Warmoth say it has a tone similar to alder.

Is this mostly because it is not thought to look that good, because it actually has worse tone, or just because it has got a bad reputation by being used in a lot of cheap low quality guitars?

I'd consider a poplar body as I reckon by the time the sound has gone through the pickups, amp, whatever microphone gets put in front of it, the house PA, and the ears of various people in various stages of drunkenness, no-one would notice that it was 'inferior' poplar and not some more expensive wood.

[NLD09]

It's just tough to work with if you're going for a natural finish. If you're shooting a solid color over it then you won't notice too much difference, if any at all.

[Steve_Karl]

So... poplar does not seem to be a wood that people recommend or like to use, even though it is cheap and Warmoth say it has a tone similar to alder.

Is this mostly because it is not thought to look that good, because it actually has worse tone, or just because it has got a bad reputation by being used in a lot of cheap low quality guitars?

I'd consider a poplar body as I reckon by the time the sound has gone through the pickups, amp, whatever microphone gets put in front of it, the house PA, and the ears of various people in various stages of drunkenness, no-one would notice that it was 'inferior' poplar and not some more expensive wood.

My priorities for tone are about what I hear and feel. After all, I'm the one playing it.

[tfarny]

It is hard to get any kind of transparent finish to look good because it absorbs stain very deeply yet unevenly, but there are definitely some good looking ones, search around. It doesn't need grain filling, though, so that's a big plus. From the examples I've seen, it's quite a bit softer than alder (which is not that hard) and therefore not as durable if you're going for a very thin finish.
Some people do say it doesn't sound as good - but have never produced any evidence that I have seen. My poplar strat sounds just great though I don't think it looks very flash. The CIJ strats that everyone wants are poplar.
It's associated with cheaper guitars because it's not a rare wood. Lots of very highly regarded guitars have been made of poplar - just the same story as basswood, really. If fender had started making telecasters with poplar instead of swamp ash (which was cheap at the time), there would likely be a much more positive view of poplar out there.

[Zaman]

Poplar can look great if you get the right piece. Case and point attached. 100% Poplar through and through.

[RexTheDog]

Steve Morses signature Music Man is made of poplar.  Im not a fan of his playing but if he thinks it sounds ok i trust his judgment.

[jackthehack]

There's SO much else prettier wood....

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

If Poplar is similar to Alder, great.  I'm using Alder.

The Jackson Kelley Standard was a Poplar body if I remember right.

[ironeddie]

This thread has been most helpful... and its not even my thread!  Thanks everyone!

[SlingBass]

Poplar gets kicked around a lot, and I can't argue the rationale in many cases. That said - one of the better sounding recordings I did in a pro studio (NOT to be confused with a home studio) was with a poplar P-Bass. I friend stopped by with it to show off  his new bass while I was doing a session. I plugged it in, the engineer EQ'd it up, and I used it on two songs. Long story short: I didn't like it at first, but under the right circumstances...anything can have sonic value   

[SonicWizard]

I have a Godin Detour, which is a strat style body, maple center with poplar wings. I'm not sure to what extent the poplar is influencing the sound, but the guitar sounds great to me!

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_1067343

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Sonically, I doubt anybody would say it doesn't sound good other than the usual preference wars.  The issue is finishing.  There are great looking a natural or tansparent finishes done on Poplar, but they tend to be the exception and not the rule.  IMO, no one chooses Poplar because it's pretty and the good looking transparent finishes on Poplar are usually, "You won't believe this is Poplar."  Poplar is wood, there are good looking pieces and ugly pieces.

[Crazy Dave]

Hi, I'm new here. Ordered a Poplar body off the showcase last week, that and a superwide Bubinga/Pau Ferro neck. My very first Warmoth.

My first halfway decent electric guitar was an Aria strat copy, I think from the seventies. I stripped it a while ago and found out it's made out of 9 pieces of poplar sandwiched between 2 thin non-identified veneer. Cost me roughly the equivalent of 100$ in the late eighties, and it's slain nearly every real strat I've ever put my hands on tonewise. I stained and linseed oiled it. It feels great, and taking the plastic finish off has increased the sustain.

Thinking of Ikea oil for the finish btw. It's cheap, organic, and comes in different colours. The white one should give a unique messed up Mary Kay look.

[HiOctane]

It is hard to get any kind of transparent finish to look good because it absorbs stain very deeply yet unevenly, but there are definitely some good looking ones, search around. It doesn't need grain filling, though, so that's a big plus. From the examples I've seen, it's quite a bit softer than alder (which is not that hard) and therefore not as durable if you're going for a very thin finish.
Some people do say it doesn't sound as good - but have never produced any evidence that I have seen. My poplar strat sounds just great though I don't think it looks very flash. The CIJ strats that everyone wants are poplar.
It's associated with cheaper guitars because it's not a rare wood. Lots of very highly regarded guitars have been made of poplar - just the same story as basswood, really. If fender had started making telecasters with poplar instead of swamp ash (which was cheap at the time), there would likely be a much more positive view of poplar out there.

Nice summary- I agree.
I will reiterate/add that generally it is not a good wood for trans. finishes.
But in terms of sound, really, it's pretty good.  I have had a lot of poplar guitars, and I would say that's it's VERY similar to alder- although it tends to be a bit heavier.
It's like any other wood- it has its good and band points, and can vary greatly from piece to piece (or guitar to guitar). But I think it's a very viable option for an easy to finish bolt-on guitar.

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The CIJ Strats everyone wants are MIJ Strats, there is a difference.  IMO, the MIJ Strats from the late 80s and early 90s that are sought after have as much to do with the necks and overall quality of the guitars as a whole, not just the Poplar bodies, which many are actually Alder and even Mahogany.  My MIJ Strat I love isn't Poplar.  I'd also add that some the Fender genius is not done like the originals.  His first guitars had pine bodies and necks w/out truss rods.  Even the great Leo revised his rough draft.