Official Luthiers Forum!

I am looking for a back/side set of black ebony (not stripy Macassar) that is large enough to make a 17" or ideally maybe even an 18" jumbo. Do any of you know where I can find such a set? So far, I have found that Allied Luthiere have some black ebony sets that look great, but unfortunately they will hardly make an OM size guitar. Any hints are greatly appreciated!

Have you considered a multi-piece back?

Joe

This may seem obvious, but have you already asked Allied Lutherie? They only list a fraction of their sets in the "weekly specials" so they may have a larger set in stock.

Christian

Joe:
I thought about a 3-piece back, but I tend to prefer the look of a 2-piece. If I can't find a wide enough set, I will go for the 3-piece though.

Christian:
I asked them and their largest sets were OM size.

Sondre, try Gilmer Wood Company. They have some killer sets. I think they're big too!!

Randolph,
Thanks, some of those sets looks really interesting and are big enough too. But I would love to find a set that is less striped, and more uniformly black. To see what I mean, take a look at the beautiful parlor on Rob Girdis' homepage: http://www.girdisguitars.com/main.html
Here is a nice set from Allied Luthiere: http://www.alliedlutherie.com/images/Weekly/April09W/1Used/Ebony94401.jpg

Why don't you try African Blackwood. It might also sound sensibly better!

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Build log

Call and ask Todd if any of his OM ebony sets have sides big enough for a jumbo 5"X33" and buy the set - make sure the backs are at least 21" long. Also buy an ebony fingerboard you can resaw from - then add lower bout wings to the back pieces. That should get you the width you want on the backs. Since ebony is so dark, you won't notice the 4 piece back once it's glued up and final sanded. Good luck.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Learn something new! Did not know people built whole guitars out of ebony (B&S). Would this be a very heavy guitar?

Mike

Sondre I have a few sets but don't think they are wide enough. I can check in the AM.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I would do a 4 piece back.....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I would buy a set big enough and take the waist cutouts and flip them down and use them in the lower bout (wings). If you make a clean join you will NEVER see it. Ebony hides joint lines perfectly.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Thanks for all the replies folks!

I might go for a 4-piece back and use the waist cutouts like Brock suggested.

Bobc:
Sounds interesting! I guess it is most important that the sides are long enough. Just pm me when you have the measurements.

Thanks again for the input! I'm still listening if any of you have a spare set or if you know another dealer that sells them.

You may want to check with Dana at http://oregonwildwood.com/
He deals with a lot of ebony and perhaps would have what you're looking for.
A couple of comments: ebony tends to warp, crack and do a lot of what it wants to do. It is not the most stable tonewood so I wouldn't expect to work with a set just purchased, I would wait a few years for it to settle in the shop, or at the very least a few months…
You will have trouble finding a set wide enough for a 17" guitar, especially jet black. Personally I've never seen any, that is in the 21st century. You want quartersawn…
As others have pointed out a 4 piece back will be invisible if well done, and that puts a 17" back in the realm of the possible and prudent.
Lastly ebony has a lot of damping, most sets tap like a wet towel, so it needs to be paired with a top with totally opposite characteristics IMHO.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

African Blackwood...

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I