Steve, the wood looks nice, but who'd want a guitar built of wood with a name that sounds like it's made of lizard poo?
Dave F.
(you know I'm kidding, right?)
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Guanacaste? |
Hey guys, Ryan & I just returned from a trip to Florida. We got two huge slabs of wood that are hard to identify. We were told by the previous owner that they were old growth Mahogany. But we don't think so. Steve @ Colonial is helping us to ID the stuff, which looks like a cross between Koa and Monkey Pod, with a little Goncalo Alves thrown in. Only, it is lighter in weight than the above mentioned woods (except perhaps the Monkey Pod). Best guess so far is that it is Guanacaste, the national tree of Costa Rica. This tree, however, grew in El Salvador. Pictures will follow, but the question--anyone have experience with this species? Used it for anything? TIA, Steve |
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| Author: | David Barnett [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
You may have an easier time finding its other names; kelobra or parota. I've worked with kelobra veneer. The wood was not terribly dense (although I've heard density varies widedly in the same tree), had wide rows and large pronounced pores, and although sliced much thicker than most veneers, seemed terribly fragile to me, eager to crisply split along the row edges. Stunning looking in a somewhat rustic way with marked golden chatoyance and sometimes a greenish-golden cast. I've seen the solid wood used in furniture and architectural woodworking in Northern Colombia. I have no knowledge of it's suitability for lutherie. Here in Florida I've heard it called 'rain tree', but that name is also applied to other ornamentals. Without shellac seal coats it soaked up oil varnishes like a sponge. |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Hey thanks, David. We were just in your neck of the woods--sorta. Key Largo. Florida is terribly long when you drive the whole thing! So, ok, anyone have experience w/ kelobra...parota...rain tree? Steve |
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| Author: | Jim Kirby [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
No experience. I have a set that was advertised to be kelobra that I bought early on based on a picture. It taps like cardboard. Attachment: kelobra-ebay.jpg
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| Author: | theguitarwhisperer [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
I've used Parota. It was kinda like Padauk. |
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| Author: | David Barnett [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
That's the stuff, Jim, without a doubt. |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Jim, indeed, that IS the stuff. Our wood looks exactly like that. Still gonna send a piece off to Steve at Colonial for a more scientific ID. If for no other reason, to put the previous owner's mind at ease. Thanks for the input guys. As we are to build a guitar from this wood, we'll report back on the success. Steve |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Pics of the wood! We were able to get the big slab out of the truck bed today. Here's a couple shots of the size of this slab. First up, Ryan standing next to it for comparison: Attachment: Kelobra1 Sm.jpg And then a shot of the grain. Outdoors, sunlight and shadow, plus the slab has a coat of epoxy on it giving it a more finished look: Attachment: Kelobra2 Sm.jpg Thanks for looking, Steve P.S.- measurements: 45" wide, 104" long, 4" thick. |
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| Author: | RaymundH [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Hi Steve, If you want to talk Parota call Mitch here: http://www.anexotichardwood.com/slabs.html#Parota_Slabs These guys have a great assortment of exotics. Unfortunately for me, they are on the wrong side of the continent!!! However, they always have responded to e-mails and were quite nice. Ray |
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| Author: | Dave Fifield [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Steve, the wood looks nice, but who'd want a guitar built of wood with a name that sounds like it's made of lizard poo? Dave F. (you know I'm kidding, right?) |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Hey Ray, we were just looking at that site earlier. Really amazing selection, no? I particularly lusted after the 10' long Padauk slabs. We wants them. Dave, I DO hope you're kidding. The name might stand a bit of tweaking, and we'll work on that. But what's a real turn-off is when the wood smells like lizard poo. Fortunately, this lovely Kelobra smells rather spicy-sweet. (I know you want some....)  Steve |
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| Author: | peterm [ Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Looks pretty nice Steve! I think you'll make a winner out of it! |
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| Author: | Colin S [ Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Steve, that looks really nice wood, enough grain to make it interesting with out being overly complex, it'll make a nice looking guitar, any idea of density? However, you're either going to have to make a really big guitar, or get a really big saw! Colin |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 15, 2010 12:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Peter, I hope so! Colin, the plan is to go with a large saw. Well, we'll bust it up first into smaller slabs, then saw those into guitar-sized pieces. As for density, this is actually a rather light wood. It looks like a heavyweight, but tips the scale like a welterweight. For those who love dark guitars that weigh nothing, this is the stuff. Steve |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Perhaps you're in a position to corner the market on Guonocasters.,.. |
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| Author: | Dave Fifield [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
I'm definately interested to buy a couple of sets to add to my stash when you get it sawn up Steve - let us know when you have it done! Cheers, Dave F. |
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| Author: | RaymundH [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
They do have a huge selection of wood and they also have this one as well... http://woodquestions.blogspot.com/2008/ ... about.html But don't tell anyone!
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guanacaste? |
Hey Meddling, "Guanocaster" is clever. In all seriousness, it would make a great electric body wood...hadn't even thought about that. We've got plenty of one piece body blanks here. Thanks! Dave, will do mate! Ray, now that was just mean! Candy to a baby. ![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up") Steve |
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