Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - wood choices to build

Official Luthiers Forum! http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/

wood choices to build http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33551	Page 1 of 1

Author:	herry tze [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:34 am ]
Post subject:	wood choices to build
Hei,... I need help to wood choices for my first build... I want to build small size like Martin "Size 5" guitar, which has a 21.3" scale. what is the best choice for back, side and top wood (for combine) if I have some wood: macassar ebony (back, side, fretboard, bridge), mahogany (back, side, top, neck), rosewood (fretboard, bridge) sitka spruce (top) western red cedar (top) mahogany (top) thank,s for your support, next week I'll post my first electric guitar, now I'm preparing the photograph....

Author:	DannyV [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:54 am ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
I would say Macassar for FB and bridge, mahogany back, side and neck, Sitka or Cedar for top depending on what you want it to sound like. And I wouldn't want to see the Macassar back and sides go bad so you could send them to me and I'll use them on my next guitar.

Author:	CharlieT [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
DannyV wrote: And I wouldn't want to see the Macassar back and sides go bad so you could send them to me and I'll use them on my next guitar. Yeah, 'cause that Macassar starts to go sour pretty quick.

Author:	Alexandru Marian [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
Ebony is much harder to work than mahogany, I'd stay away from it for a first build.

Author:	herry tze [ Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:13 am ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
thank's, friend's... okay I'll use Mahogany back and side, and Todd I just have sitka and red cedar soundboard: what you think about that? FB and bridge ebony. and fretwire I'll take evo gold or can I use stainless steel? from LMI One question about my Mahogany: this tree have big leaf and light brown color, I think that's not honduran.. what's that?? thank to you all Alexandru Marian, Todd, DannyV, and special to Charlie T unfortunately we are long way our home, if not I can send to you hehehe...

Author:	CharlieT [ Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
herry tze wrote: thank to you all Alexandru Marian, Todd, DannyV, and special to Charlie T unfortunately we are long way our home, if not I can send to you hehehe... Glad to be of help, Herry. Seriously, welcome to the forum and good luck with your build. I'm not experienced enough yet to be of any help with wood recommendations; otherwise I would have chimed in with something more useful. Macassar ebony is lovely stuff for sure, but I have no personal experience working with it. Cheers.

Author:	truckjohn [ Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:23 am ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
Since it's your first - I would go with Mahogany back/sides and use your Sitka top.... Fretboard and bridge - I would go with Rosewood.... WRC is really easy to dent/chip/crack.... It dents if you look at it funny.... Save that stuff for when you have your building technique sorted out well enough so you don't dent up the top while in progress.... It's harder than it sounds.... Fretwire wise - you should go with "Standard" fretwire for your first build... It's easy to work with, Easy to dress, and does last a good long time.... The gold stuff and stainless stuff can be a real bear.. hard to cut, hard to bend, slow to clean up and dress.... Save that stuff until you have your fretting techniques down cold.... Same for the ebony - it's hard to work with... Save it for after you have some experience bending sides and dealing with the woods.... One last piece of advice... On your first guitar, don't cut your own fretboard slots... Buy a pre-cut fretboard.... Fret position is one of the few places where a precision measurement is absolutely critical.... Thanks

Author:	herry tze [ Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:01 am ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
thank's John, that's wise advice to me, thank's alot... this is the first acoustic build to me, until now I've practised 4times to fretting (nickel silver 18%) reconstruction and 1time change soundboard. but I never do side bend, this week I 'll post my first electric guitar (photo still to prepare), and I'll save my ebony to make a guitar that would come and so I want to go forward with the support you all thank's...

Author:	Jim_H [ Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: wood choices to build
Good Luck Harry! Have fun, and most importantly, learn stuff... oh, and be safe. Post your pics too!

Page 1 of 1	All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/