Official Luthiers Forum!

Howdy buckaroos-

Has anyone used Spanish cedar for the back and sides of their guitars - either Spanish or steel string? What was it like to bend and what about tone? I have a few boards and was wondering if I should resaw one into sets or just use it for necks.

I know a few of you have used Spanish cedar for the bodies of electrics - how was it different than using mahogany. What type of electric guitar did you build with it and type of pickups, ect?


Thanks-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I'd like to know as well.

I'm gonna bet that's not a good idea given it's propensity to bleed sap at the least opportune time. Yet, I am a lifetime member of sound hole sniffers,LLC. I will try to put it anywhere on the inside I can!

I haven't used it but I did a repair on an inexpensive classical guitar with spanish cedar back and sides. It sounded pretty nice. I think Allied sells some sets from time to time.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Colonial and LMI have both sold some as well. I believe i read somewhere that Kenny Hill claims one of the best sounding guitars he's made was made out of Spanish cedar. I have four 40+ year old sets that I can't wait to use. They sound great.

John, Last year I built an OM with a great set of Curly Spanish Cedar that I got from Bob C. Here is a link to some photos:

http://www.peterjosephguitars.com/Peter ... _OM.html#2

It bent well without any problems, only one small split (IIRC) and very few problems. There was minor cupping of the sides and I had to be careful when sanding to assure that they didn't get too thin. It was pore-filled with Zpoxy... three sessions and then French Polished.

The finished guitar was extremely light... I checked my logs and it weighed 3 lbs. 11.4 oz. (1.684 kg.) It sounded great with good volume and projection. It had wonderful trebles and quite a sparkle to it. I was very pleased with the results. Obviously, it smelled wonderful and that was an extra attraction while playing it.

I say go for it if you can find a nice set with some figure that appeals to you!

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Peter

I bought a few sets from Steve at one of the Swap Meets, and it looks great. I have not built with it yet. Don't know why it wouldn't be great. All Spanish Cedar is not created equal though. The stuff I've been using on the neck of my current build is denser than HOG, and at least as heavy. Interestingly it does not smell as strongly either, but it has the smell, it's just not as pervasive.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Well, I'll be darned. I am so happy to know this. I would have thought it was not hard enough. Has anyone got photos of Spanish Cedar with figure?

It looks just like Honduran mahogany when figured. I've only seen it with flame figure - very pretty.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds