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Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
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Author:  Christian Schmid [ Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Ok, seeing that the BRW set in the auction sold for $1200 and that a LS Redwood top set is on sale in the classifieds right now for $500. Both are way out of my league - both, financially and I would not dare yet to touch such expensive woods. But anyways - here goes:

Would you rather build a LS Redwood/(insert any under $300 b/s wood here) or a (insert any top for under $100)/BRW guitar.

I'm just curious if you think it's more worth spending serious money for a "magic" top or for a "magic" back.

cheers, Christian
Author:  peterm [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
You don't need to use an LS top with BRW back and sides but would be a great match. Definitely worth using a good top on it though. From a nice German, Swiss or Adi to a Sinker redwood or LS redwood.... all would make a great guitar.
Author:  Carey [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Christian Schmid wrote:
Ok, seeing that the BRW set in the auction sold for $1200 and that a LS Redwood top set is on sale in the classifieds right now for $500. Both are way out of my league - both, financially and I would not dare yet to touch such expensive woods. But anyways - here goes:

Would you rather build a LS Redwood/(insert any under $300 b/s wood here) or a (insert any top for under $100)/BRW guitar.

I'm just curious if you think it's more worth spending serious money for a "magic" top or for a "magic" back.

cheers, Christian


Maybe it depends on what you're attempting to make?
My own interest is classical guiitars- and I'm presently making one of ugly Lutz spruce
and (dead as cardboard) Madrone. I don't feel deprived. ~CW
Author:  bluescreek [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
For me it is Brazilian with Red Spruce. I love that combination. Koa is another great wood and lets not forget Mahogany. In most cases I am a sitka or Adi topper. I will use Western red cedar on Maple.
Author:  woody b [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
IMHO the difference between a "magic" LS Redwood top, and a "regular" Redwood top are probably subtle, but these differences are big to some. Most of my customers are bluegrassers so a LS Redwood top doesn't mean much to them. The differences between a $90 set of EIRW and a $1200+ set of BRW are subtle, but the difference is big to some of my customers. For me personally I'm happy with a $60 set of plain Mahogany and a plain ol' Sitka top.

FWIW if I had more fingerstyle customers I'd be all over Brocks LS Redwood tops. I'm tempted anyway.
Author:  Brock Poling [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Brazilian / Euro is probably my very favorite.

Mahogany / Euro is probably my second


But I like lots of other combinations too. The LS is pretty special redwood, but it is still redwood, so if you are not looking for the sound of redwood that clearly isn't the way to go. I would never use redwood on a grassers guitar.

You don't have to spend a ton of money on tonewood to get a good guitar. There are lots of great options that are inexpensive. Have you ever seen Panamanian rosewood? It isn't the most beautiful, but it taps every bit as good as brazilian, and it is around $100 - $150 a set.
Author:  Christian Schmid [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Quote:
You don't have to spend a ton of money on tonewood to get a good guitar.


Oh, I didn't mean to imply that with my question. I'm falling more and more in love with my Sitka/Bubinga guitar every day. My opinion actually is (based on my very limited experience), that using BRW or LS is a business decision for a pro - buy a top for $500 and sell it to the customer on a guitar for $1000, or the same with BRW - buy for $1200, sell for $2000. For me as an amateur, I'd find it nonsense to spend that much money on a wood set.

I just meant - there's probably something to those "magical" qualities, even though it may be very subtle, so I was wondering which wood combo you would choose for that tiny little bit of extra *zing* :D

cheers, Christian
Author:  Brock Poling [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Sometimes the price is a combination of zing + scarcity. Sometimes it is just scarcity.

In my book the best examples of brazilian stand alone in the rosewood world, but only but by just "a bit" a great set of Amazon is wonderful, as is a great set of Madagascar, or as I was saying Panamanian rosewood is great too (but not wonderful looking). They are all very close to brazilian. If it were me and I were building solely for my own pleasure, I would probably find those species that were "almost" as good.

Mahogany is much easier to get your hands on (even the really good stuff) and it is a fraction of the cost. Mahogany builds killer guitars.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Magic is in the hands of the builder, moreso than the wood choice .. I have played lots of guitars made from alleged great woods, that simply sound lousy.

Plus, I have heard wonderful sounding guitars played by people who make them sing, and then heard the same guitar minutes sound like cardboard as the next guy played it ...

SRVs number one strat was noted by guys at the Fender custom shop as being very ordinary ... it was all in his hands.
Author:  woody b [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Brock Poling wrote:
Brazilian / Euro is probably my very favorite.

Mahogany / Euro is probably my second


But I like lots of other combinations too. The LS is pretty special redwood, but it is still redwood, so if you are not looking for the sound of redwood that clearly isn't the way to go. I would never use redwood on a grassers guitar.

You don't have to spend a ton of money on tonewood to get a good guitar. There are lots of great options that are inexpensive. Have you ever seen Panamanian rosewood? It isn't the most beautiful, but it taps every bit as good as brazilian, and it is around $100 - $150 a set.


I love Panama Rosewood. I've built 2 with it and I'm in the process of completing another. I wonder how it would look if it was stained darker. Here's one I'll be buffing later today. No toner or stain. The finish is Epifanes varnish.
Author:  Steve Saville [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
Cedar and walnut works for me.

All koa is pretty nice too.

Adi on EI rosewood.

All mahogany.

Bearclaw sitka on koa

Sinker redwood on ziricote.
There are many great choices. I'm having a hard time coming up with a bad one.
Author:  Frank Cousins [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Which magical tonewood combo would you use?
TonyKarol wrote:
Magic is in the hands of the builder, moreso than the wood choice .. I have played lots of guitars made from alleged great woods, that simply sound lousy.

Plus, I have heard wonderful sounding guitars played by people who make them sing, and then heard the same guitar minutes sound like cardboard as the next guy played it ...

SRVs number one strat was noted by guys at the Fender custom shop as being very ordinary ... it was all in his hands.



Would have to agree. Down the local guitar specialists, that stock some lovely gems from various exotic combinations, including the 'classic BRW/Adi combo, It does leave you wondering at times what all the 'fuss' is about... BRW can look stunning, and there is that magic that comes with the old Martins, or classiclas, spiderswebed beauty... but how much of 'magic' is down to myth and scarcity? (and price - its amazing how much better you can think something is if it costs alot! ;-). Dont get me wrong, Having played a few BRW instruments they have a certain something that is unique... but so do Mahogany or African Blackwood or Koa or cocobolo or Madagascan... But is it reallly better? Especially as these days so much of it is stumpwood or faltsawn (can be beautiful but kind goes against what we have been told about decent QS tonewood..)

What's more (forgetting the supply and demand economics for a moment) does the result justify a 10 fold price tag and the often ambiguity of the source? Do you all get CITIES certificates with your BRW? Certainly its almost impossible to find any CITIES certified BRW here in the UK. Have to admit, unless win the lottery, I could never specify BRW from a private maker as in so many cases the add on is more than several thousand. Is that excessive?

Tops are interesting - we can hear the subtle differences between top woods - if is it different bracing or quality? ;-) but 90% of teh adi topped guitars I ahve tried seem to have that extra something - yet wierdly my current fave has a Euro top? Confusing, yet arguably what makes the whole thing so facinating.
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