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Has anyone ever used aspin for a flattop before? I really like the look of the wood and Ken parker's aspen archtops look great. If people have used it, do you know how easily bends and what tonal properties it might have. Thanks


EDIT: I corrected the spelling

Hi I have used aspen and alder in cabinetmaking. It is a light wood, easily dented and primarily used for interior parts of furniture.In my opinion , depending where you get the aspen(colorado)? I would stick to alder probably easier to access quatersawn stock and it is very similiar in appearance to western maple

I bet the stuff works and bends like butter....

I say go for it! You could always stain it with Mahogany stain if you want a brown guitar....

Thanks

A poly finish might help with durability issues with a soft wood on the business end of teh guitar. I'll also suggest using a very hard material for binding.

Thanks everyone. I saw this (or one just like it) at woodstock and I cannot get it out of my mind.

Is that aspen B&S?

Aspen is pretty soft. The hardest variety of Aspen (Janka Scale) is only 420. To put that into perspective, Basswood is 410. Hopefully you know how soft Basswood is otherwise the perspective is lost.

Part of me says go for it...that's the guy in me that doesn't care where the lines in the road are painted.

The other part of me says - there are many better choices you could make. Woods that are light in color but tonally, what's
the word....'more capable'?.....

Anigre
Avodire (my blonde favorite - ridiculously close to Mahogany in almost every way - except she's a blonde)
Movingui (more yellowish)

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

CharlieT, Yes that is figured aspen on one of Ken Parker's archtops. he is a true master luthier.

Chris, Thanks for the info. I'm asking about aspen because it is readily available locally and I really want to try it.

Brian if it's good enough for Ken Parker it's good enough for me. I'm in the go for it camp.

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I bent the sides, and all I an say is wow. First of all, I was thicknessing by hand which was incredibly easy with this wood. I have only bent EIRW and mahogany before this, so I really don't have a lot of experience bending but this bent easier than the rosewood. It is very soft, and I doubt I would make another (flat top) guitar from it, but I would not hesitate to use it for double sides. If you want an inexpensive wood for the interior of a double side that is easy to bend and has a great tap tone this is the wood for you. After I build a few more flat tops, I might have to find a figured piece for an arch top. Also, a few more reason's it would be great for double sides and an archtop are, it is easy to work with, bends well, and is one of the lightest (weight and color) woods I have seen. It must be really easy to hog away wood when carving an arch top back.