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I'm considering using laminated eastern red cedar for linings on my next build. Anyone see potential issues or reasons I shouldn't try this?

On a more generic level, what wood properties do you look for in a binding material? Here was my thoughts:

- Lightweight and stiff
- Glues well (I assume red cedar glues ok)
- Nice aroma is a plus

Lamiated linings seem to be stiffer than standard linings so I like that route. I'm not setup to cut kerfs so laminated is easier in that respect as well. How do you cross the grain on your laminated linings? I'm thinking I probably don't want the middle layer turned completely 90 deg to the inside and outside layer. Thoughts?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I tried it and found it too brittle when I was bending it but I do plan on trying it again. The stuff is so plentiful over here I think it's stupid not to use it. Maybe try two very thin strips so that you can bend them. Grain orientation might be something to experiment with as well.

I was thinking of glueing up 3 strips for lining with each strip thin enough that no bending would be required. I haven't yet tried this.......so it could be wishful thinking on my part.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I've made 3-ply from 1.9-2mm thick spruce and really liked the process and result. All strips quartered face grain, same orientation as the guitar side. In the future I'll try African mahogany too, since I can get thickness-sanded orphan sides for cheap.

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Build log

Have used 3/8 by3/8in tenn red cedar blocks as linings on ukes . Smells nice ,the other spanish name is tentellones

I've been doing laminated linings since the beginning, 1975 or so, and other than being more time consuming, I like them for stiffness and how they set my work apart.
I do two part, hot bent, "staggered height" jobs.
The majority have been Spanish Cedar, and I do Mahogany and now Black Walnut, which is so much easier to bend.
I've read discussions that negate the "greater stiffness" aspect over kerfed linings, but I am a true believer.
The reasoning goes that once the plates are glued on, kerfed linings are just as stiff as solid. I don't know.
There isn't much difference in what wood to use, if it bends and glues well, go for it.
I don't know too many woods that would not have to be hot bent, at least if doing two part, maybe Holly or Willow.
I can see three-part bending without heat, but I've never tried it, and I doubt it.
Maybe on a dread, but I do lots of tight-waist jobs.

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I built some ERC guitars in the mid-1980's, but I found the wood very resistant to bending. It has the most spring-back of any wood I have tried to bend.
Two of my current favorite domestic woods for linings are butternut and sassafras. Sassafras is aromatic, smelling like root beer. Butternut is on the soft side (like basswood), but it does have nicer looking grain (similar to Spanish cedar), and carves beautifully. Sassafras is harder, more like mahogany.
ERC OM style.

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John

sassafras sounds interesting I bet.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.