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Port Orford weight range?
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Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Port Orford weight range?

I was wondering what is your expereince with the weight range of POC.

I read everywhere that POC is very stiff and fairly heavy, along the lines of typical Sitka and Adi. I just received a soundboard and it is only 330Kg/m3 which is WRC-like. The stiffness is moderate, according to the low weight.

It also does not have the strong spicy smell I was expecting. It's quite faint and I can't decide if it resembles cypress or spruce rather. Definitively not stronger than spruce smell.

Author:  Hank Mauel [ Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Port Orford weight range?

I have built with both POC and Alaskan yellow cedar. The tops I had were in the heavier end of what WRC would be, at least in my experiences. All were relatively stiff and were thinned down to the .110-.115 range for my build style. The POC definitely has a much mellower (less pungent) aroma, most noticeable when sanded or cut. The Alaskan, on the other hand, is aromatic for a long time. The photo shows an Alaskan topped guitar built in 2003 that still smells like a cedar chest today...good for keeping moths out of your guitar case ;) ...and is really a pleasant smell IMHO.
If you stick your nose right into the soundhole of the POC guitar (delivered at this past Healdsburg Festival) you can barely get any aroma...it's there, but VERY faint.
If you haven't tried the Alaskan cedar, that might be a future build for you to try. The photo is on a koa body and it is a spectacular guitar. Lives with my good friend, Steve Hawkins, in Portland OR. these days

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