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| Formosa Guitar http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=30887 |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Formosa Guitar |
I am proposing a challenge, although I won't have the time to complete it since I'll be leaving Taiwan soon... I was thinking to build a guitar from woods that are only found in Taiwan, which means no imports, no Macassar Ebony (which grows in Indonesia), no spruce from North America/Europe. Importing would be permitted but only importing out of Taiwan into a shop in your country, but from nowhere else (and it can't be woods that are cut outside of Taiwan either) This is a real challenge because while there are many good woods in Taiwan, the scarcity of lands in Taiwan means just about any forest here is restricted/national park. So that means there are absolutely no logging industries here. However some species exist, some are cheap, others not so cheap. Here is a list of woods that may be found in Taiwan: Cypress: There appears to be a specie of cypress that grows in Taiwan, and they have seen limited use. However I think they do cost a lot because of logging restrictions. Most Cypress found here are imported from SE Asia. Acacia: These wood seems to be considered trash, even though they look like Koa but are at a fraction of the cost. Most people here turn them into charcoal for BBQ's, so supplies are not exactly limited. I even found a supplier who sells a B/S set of these at around 20 dollars a set. Teak: Teak does grow in Taiwan, and is probably about the only suitable wood that may be used as fingerboard and bridge. They are expensive too. Anyone have any advise regarding this, and does anyone here want to attempt this challenge? Will be a much tougher challenge than EU/NA wood only challenge, as those region have a much looser logging restriction (as in it's not completely illegal) and bigger variety of woods that are obtainable through legal channel. |
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| Author: | Quine [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Formosa Guitar |
Sounds like a good project. Acacia is used for ukuleles sometimes and it is similar to koa (which is a type of acacia). I dunno much about teak except for outdoor furniture. Is there any maple or cherry available over there? |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Formosa Guitar |
Quine wrote: Sounds like a good project. Acacia is used for ukuleles sometimes and it is similar to koa (which is a type of acacia). I dunno much about teak except for outdoor furniture. Is there any maple or cherry available over there? Maple is available, dunno about Cherry. But since they are imported from North America, it would defeat the purpose of this challenge. Heck, even Macassar Ebony and Padouk is available (just not as a set, so one would need to resaw), but like I said, it must be wood that are native to Taiwan, or grown here. I do know species of maple and mahogany grows here, but they are not available commercially. I've seen a teak guitar neck though... |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Formosa Guitar |
How about soundboard wood? There are plenty of choices - any conifer (Spruce, pine, hemlock etc) would probably work.... Ginko would be an interesting choice too.... If logging is a problem - you can frequently get wood from urban tree cutters who have to cut down a tree when road work is being done or a tree cut down in someone's yard... This opens up the possibility quite a bit. Thanks |
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| Author: | thomas [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Formosa Guitar |
This is an Ukulele, the only thing not from Taiwan is the neck. It is Spanish Cedar from somewhere else. The back and sides are I San Shan mu???? and the top is Hinoki. Oh yeah the fretboard is Indian Rosewood too, but I have some Taiwanese Ebony for future use (driftwood too) It sounds really nice. The other picture is Acacia with Acacia fretboard for fun. Oh and another one too. I built a few with Acacia Confusa b/s and top, and a few with Acacia and Hinoki Tops too, when I was living in Taiwan. Hinoki is a really nice top wood. There is a shop on the side of the highway to Kenting about 45 minutes south of Kaohsiung that has large planks of Hinoki. Suitable for Guitars. Would be suitable for back and sides of a Flameco too I think. But take all of this with a grain of salt because I dont know nothin about nothin... All of the wood I used including these pictures are all driftwood from Typhoons. So no logging involved. I had a friend in Taitung that got the stuff from the beach and traded it to me for a kalimba and an ukulele. Attachment: I-san-Shan-Soprano-Back.jpg Attachment: I-san-Shan-Soprano-top.jpg Attachment: Cliffords-pineapple.jpg Attachment: Dashans-tenor.jpg It doesnt fill your requirements exactly, but it could with a Hinoki neck and a Taiwanese Ebony fretboard. But as you say it is impossible to get any wood from Taiwan unless you are in Taiwan. I think Taiwan has some of the best wood in the world. By the way. Hinoki and Acaccia confusa are really nice and readily available. I San Shan is beautiful, but really really really rare. Seek and ye shall find>>> Take care, Thomas |
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