Official Luthiers Forum!

What wood would go well with adirondack for a blues guitar? I usually use my fingernails if that helps.... Also is luthier's mercantile international a reliable source????
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Mahogany, and yes they are.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

When I think "blues guitar" I think quick response, quick decay, with a strong fundamental. I agree with John ( and John's truly an expert when it comes to guitars) about Mahogany, and I'll add Lacewood if you want something different.

LMI is great.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I am going in a different direction. Mississippi John Hurt made some of his best recordings in the '60's using Stefan Grossman's (no longer in his possession) '30's Martin OM-45. Dave Van Ronk used a Rosewood Guild. Rev Gary Davis used a maple J-200. Mance Lipscomb used a cheap Harmony guitar. It's all in your fingers . I enjoy playing blues with Mahogany and Rosewood guitars - makes no difference. However, with that said, if you want to make a great blues bottleneck guitar, I would go with Mahogany, Birch or Oak.

Speaking of Birch, I am fascinated that some of the greatest "Blues Guitars" of all time - the wonderful concert and Grand Concert Oscar Schmidt Stella's from the teens through 30's - were made with Birch back and sides, and very often tops - flat sawn no less .

Just my 2 cents, for whatever that is worth .

Glenn

I'd say that all mahogany would be my choice.

Marc

Geoff Muldaur plays a Martin OO with Adi top and mahogany sides and back. Nice balanced tone and plenty of power for a small guitar.