Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Fri Aug 01, 2025 10:51 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:57 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 567
Location: United States
Has anyone used Russian Olive to build with.. guitars or other. I found no results in a search on OLF.
thanks.

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...


Last edited by Chris Oliver on Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:58 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 1:05 pm
Posts: 3350
Location: Bakersville, NC
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
never heard of it....

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


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:33 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:22 pm
Posts: 176
First name: Chris
Last Name: Beebe
City: Zumbrota
State: MN
Zip/Postal Code: 55992
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I've been sitting on some for the past couple of years that I intend to use on some backs and sides. It finishes beautifully (Dark Greens, Yellow, and White streaks) and has great contrast between the sap and heart wood. I would say it works similar to soft maple. Russian Olive was very popular as wind break trees, and were planted along highways and roads in the Midwest. A word of caution, I've heard that some people are alergic to the wood/bark. I really have no idea what the tap tone would sound like, but visually it's nice. Hope this helps.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:34 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:22 pm
Posts: 176
First name: Chris
Last Name: Beebe
City: Zumbrota
State: MN
Zip/Postal Code: 55992
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I've been sitting on some for the past couple of years that I intend to use on some backs and sides. It finishes beautifully (Dark Greens, Yellow, and White streaks) and has great contrast between the sap and heart wood. I would say it works similar to soft maple. Russian Olive was very popular as wind break trees, and were planted along highways and roads in the Midwest. A word of caution, I've heard that some people are alergic to the wood/bark. I really have no idea what the tap tone would sound like, but visually it's nice. Hope this helps.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:11 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 567
Location: United States
Chris, thanks for the description, and Chris V... watch out for flying lumber... I may take you up on that depending on the quality. A friend is removing the tree and offered it up for instruments or firewood.
chris

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:44 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:41 pm
Posts: 975
Location: United States
First name: Tracy
Last Name: Leveque
City: Denver
State: CO
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Chris Oliver wrote:
Has anyone used Russian Olive to build with.. guitars or other. I found no results in a search on OLF.
thanks.


Chris,
This is a very common tree here in Denver, CO. But I've never seen the wood used in woodworking. To me it looks like it would be loaded with runout because all of the trunks I've seen are really twisty. I'm not sure that matters for back and sides, but just an observation. I'd say give it a try and let us know how it works for you.

_________________
Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:51 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:12 pm
Posts: 6994
First name: Mike
Last Name: O'Melia
City: Huntsville
State: Alabama
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Do not burn it!!

If you get billets, plz let me know (if you care to sell some)

Mike


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:24 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 567
Location: United States
I'll let him know today... we may have some takers. Hope we don't work too hard for some firewood.... I don't have a working fireplace!

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:27 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:01 am
Posts: 1399
Location: Houston, TX
First name: Chuck
Last Name: Hutchison
City: Houston
State: Texas
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Russian Olive grows like weeds in Illinois. Farmers hate it and spend alot of time using a tractor to pull it up out of their fields. Next time I see a load piled up I'll cut some up.

_________________
"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Russian Olive
PostPosted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:24 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:12 pm
Posts: 6994
First name: Mike
Last Name: O'Melia
City: Huntsville
State: Alabama
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Farmers also have a love hate relationship with Osage Orange. Need I say anything more? ;)

Mike (who loves overlooked species of wood)

Edit: If you can pull 8x2 billets off of this, I am interested.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: meddlingfool and 33 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com