Alan, it works easy.
Good luck.
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| Author: | Alan [ Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Sycamore |
What are your thoughts on sycamore for guitar backs and sides? I just got a couple of pieces of quartersawn 4/4 sycamore with a little spalting that looks like it would make some nice guitars. |
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| Author: | MRS [ Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Is this American sycamore or European? There is a difference. The European sycamore is really maple by another name. American sycamore is fine for guitar building. So is is the European even though its maple. |
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| Author: | Alan [ Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Thanks Mike. It's American sycamore. |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Alan, do you mean like this?-- Attachment: otb back3 sm.jpg And this?-- Attachment: otb butt sm.jpg I find it's just great to work with. Bends fine, looks wonderful, sounds mahogany-ish. But it resists sanding, somewhat like maple does. Go for it...you'll like it. Steve |
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| Author: | Alan [ Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Steve Kinnaird wrote: Alan, do you mean like this?-- I find it's just great to work with. Bends fine, looks wonderful, sounds mahogany-ish. But it resists sanding, somewhat like maple does. Go for it...you'll like it. Steve Yep, that looks like the wood I have. That guitar is a realy beauty Steve! Thanks. Alan |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Ahh, thank you Alan. You really will like working it. If your set behaves like mine, you will love the fact that there was NO springback after bending. How dreamy is that? Steve |
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| Author: | MRS [ Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
I also have made a telecaster style neck of sycamore. Not sure if its equal in strength to hard maple but i have had no issue with it. |
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| Author: | James Orr [ Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
A few years ago I was able to play a Santa Cruz Guitar Co. OM made of a local sycamore that had fallen. I loved it, and the sound of the guitar was very much like what Steve described. It had a warm, dry sound. |
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| Author: | Neil Gardiner [ Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
I have a set in my stash that I picked up about 6 months ago. Doesn't have much of a tap tone. But it looks great. The stuff I have really sucks up the glue. Neil |
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| Author: | Chris Oliver [ Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Alan, it works easy. Good luck. |
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| Author: | Mike R [ Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Here is a site that shows the hardness of a variety of hardwoods. As far as necks go, I am not sure sycamore is okay, but for backs and sides, who knows. Sounds like it works. It is beautiful wood. And if it bends easy, and sounds good, I'm ready to try it. Mike R. http://www.sizes.com/units/janka.htm |
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| Author: | Alan [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Chris....with the spalting, that looks very similiar to the wood I have. Very nice guitar...I hope mine turns out as well! |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Mike R wrote: As far as necks go, I am not sure sycamore is okay, but for backs and sides, who knows. Let me answer that: Attachment: otb back sm.jpg This neck is Sycamore. Now granted, there is 1/2" of Bubinga in the center, w/ the usual 2 way truss rod and 2 CF bars either side of the TR. But...it just hasn't moved. It is stable as a rock, and seems plenty stong as it sports medium gauge strings. As a benefit, it matches the body fairly well. Not cut from the same tree as the back/sides, but from a neighbor's Sycamore tree. (Hey--it was free.) My recommendation: it works. Steve |
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| Author: | Alan [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
I just resawed the sycamore....pics below. Wish that I could try it out now, but I have two builds to do before I can get to it. |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sycamore |
Oooh, yeah, Alan, that looks great. 'Twill make a handsome guitar. Steve |
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