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| Cypress http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=32515 |
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| Author: | RogerC108 [ Sat Jun 11, 2011 5:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Cypress |
I have a bald cypress tree in the backyard that died this year. It measures 31" around the base. What can you guys tell me about it? Would it be a decent wood to build electric guitars out of? At that circumference, would I even be able to source any planks large enough? Thanks |
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| Author: | Shawn [ Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Cypress |
Bald Cypress should make a really nice solid body for an electric. Cypress thinned to about 2mm will bend well in a fox style bender so you could even try a hollow body electric if you wanted to try carving the back and front. As far as the 31" circumference it is a bit small to get much width out of planks. Once you take away the outer edge and the heart you could probably get 3-3.5" side slabs that are quartersawn but just barely. You will probably see alot of color variation in the heartwood so if you were able to get ~3" planks to build a solid body blank, it could look cool. As far as Cypress for a neck, for acoustics I have used Monterey Cypress I source from a friend who is a luthier in Australia and it is nice and light. For an electric depending on the type of electric you probably want to stay with Maple for sustain and durability. If you cut the tree down it will be critical that you get the cut ends sealed as soon after cutting as well and split into approximately the size pieces you want as it will relieve the internal stress, speed drying and reduce end checking and cracking. I use Anchorseal which I source from Woodcraft online but supposedly any latex paint or something that is for exterior use will seal the ends well but I have not tried them. I keep Anchorseal around mostly because I do woodturning as well. As far as air drying the wood the rule of thumb for hardwoods is one year for each inch in thickness. Softwoods are much faster and Cypress would probably take longer than most softwoods but less than most hardwoods. |
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| Author: | RogerC108 [ Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Cypress |
That's some great info, Shawn. Thanks so much. |
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