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A few years ago I was commissioned to build a kitchen out of granadillo (believe it or not). As I usually do, I picked the best boards out for my own stash. One of them is gorgeous, dark and pillowy quilted figure, plenty wide. The tap tone on this stuff is (to my untrained ear) fabulous - bright, long sustain.

I know people build with it, but I don't hear much talk about it. Is there some big downside that keeps people from building much with it? Should I watch for anything in particular? Does it bend well? It's tonal characteristics seem like it would be well suited to a Dreadnaught (with such a ringing high end). I'm interested in people's opinions and experiences.

Personally I love it. I have a couple of billets for backs and sides that I plan to build several guitars out of as the need arises. Ellis Guitars uses it as well as Taylor. There are several others as well but if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

I have a couple of sets of it, and built my last guitar with it. I think it is absolutely fabulous. The set I built with had some figure, and seemed to be quite brittle, with a tendency to crack when handling/ working with the sides, so be careful. But for the money, it is an incredible tonewood.

I am looking to snag a huge board for future builds!

Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Tim Mcknight has built with it too.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Wonderfully stable. More stable than Mahogany. Hard, glues well, wears well. I agree about the tap. I am using it for a finger board and bridge on the guitar I am working on now. I plan on using it for back and sides for a build in the future.
Link

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

My first guitar was made with Granadillo back and sides. I'm still trying to chase myself BACK to the way that guitar sounded. Fantastic. Best sounding guitar I've built to date. Full disclosure forces me to state that I'm nearing completion on my third.....

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Nice guitar Chris. Got any sound clips of it?

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. I just couldn't imagine it not making great guitars with the way it taps. Nice guitar Chris! I'd sure like to hear a sound clip too.

I got my stash from some importer in Ohio, I think it was. I only paid about $4/ft. for it. I'll have to look at my records. I also think I'll see if I can get back into that kitchen and maybe tear off a few of those board as well

Here's an OM I made with Granadillo.



I like it's sound a lot, though I agree that it could be used very effectively on a large bodied guitar like a dred.

Plus, it smells great when you cut it...

Ken

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Sorry guys....no sound clip. Freakin money keeps leaping out of my wallet when it gets near a stash of wood!....

Some day though.....some day.

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Me too, my first build was granadillo and I LOVE the tone of that guitar. It is dense, stable, smells like cinnamon when cut or sanded...a real pleasure to work with.

I was playing my Granadillo/Cedar guitar a few weeks ago after not seing it for over a year.

I'd forgotten how beautiful it sounded!!

it's all been said up there, good looking, great sounding, maybe a little brittle when bending.

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

I posted these a while back - but they are soundclips from my first granadillo/sitka SJ...

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21183&p=293905&hilit=soundclips#p293905

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

THAT sounds great Steve. I look forward to using my Grenadillo now.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

WOW that thing sounds amazing!! That settles it, I'm now fully excited about my stash! Thanks for posting that, Steve. What a beauty.