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mesquite...drying and top choice
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Author:  Big John [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:  mesquite...drying and top choice
Howdy all...happy Monday.
I scored a nice big piece of mesquite which I have re sawed for back and sides.It is kiln dried to 8%...I plan on letting it sit for a couple of weeks before I build....Think I should go ahead and get a meter on it before I use it?
I am also interested in what ya'll think would make a good top.The stuff is super hard and was a bear to re saw,but rings nicely when tapped.I am pretty stoked about it. 8-) I am thinking along the lines of a very traditional parlor of some sort.Any comments are welcome.
Peace and respect,
big John
Author:  Matthew Luce [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
At least if you don't like the sound of the guitar, you can have a biiiiiiiiiiiig mesquite BBQ pizza.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
Carpathian will work great as will almost any good Euro Spruce. Dependent on the sound you are looking for Redwood is a good choice for finger style.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
I never thought of mesquite as being a big tree (big enough). Mostly shrub height (can grow bigger). Where did you get it? This is a hard, dense wood (Texas Ironwood).

I imagine if you can create a market for it, a bunch of mesquite hating ranchers would love you!

Mike
Author:  Big John [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
Ha..darn it Fiddlernut I knew I would have to put up with the BBQ jokes ;) gaah ....I grew up in the BBQ belt of central Texas and we do take our brisket seriously.I love to cook cue and make geetars!!!!they go so well together [:Y:]


but we do it with wet pecan...low and slow.......low and slow.

Mike I lucked out big time...I have a mill right down the road and they keep an eye out for the big chunks.They also have walnut and cypress all kiln dried...they also have a crazy big thickness sander 8-) ...check em out Texas folks...it is called The woods of Mission Timber in Sanger Tx.
They say it is dried to 8% ....but I am a newb to all this and know more about BBQ than guitars so....I am still looking for info on proper drying and such......reading what I can.I love the idea of using a wood from the area...plus it has minerals stratas in it that make pretty sparks when you re saw.....yea...I am a glutton for punishment....but at least I know to cook with pecan ;)

Micheal..
I was thinking spruce as well [:Y:] .
peace and respect
big John
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
Well, if the build fails, it will smell really good in the fireplace.

Mike
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
There are about 10 different sub species of mesquite ranging from a spindly bush to quite tall and moderate girth trees. Honey Mesquite is one of the more common large Mesquite. Mesquite is not overly dense. Being an acacia it is similar in density to Koa.

It is one of the most stable woods you will ever work with once seasoned.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
slackkey_mike wrote:
I never thought of mesquite as being a big tree (big enough). Mostly shrub height (can grow bigger). Where did you get it? This is a hard, dense wood (Texas Ironwood).

I imagine if you can create a market for it, a bunch of mesquite hating ranchers would love you!

Mike


scrb brush mesquite never gets over 6-10 inches in girth Honey and black mesquite can get to 30" girth. There is and has been in Mexico and South Texas a thriving furnishing market using honey and black mesquite. Many guitars have been built with both Honey and Black Mesquite. Most that use honey are 3 piece backs but some are two piece. It is from my experiance a bit britter tone than Koa. In the resent 2 years I have had 3 different vendors promise me some Black Mesquite but never came through.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
Anybody got some pics of a honey mesquite guitar?

Mike
Author:  Bill Hodge [ Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mesquite...drying and top choice
Mike there's some nice pics at Pawless Guitars. He's got some stunning figured mesquite guitars there. [:Y:] And here's a sound file of "Remembrance" on a mesquite guitar.
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