Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys,

Here's the latest creation... a 4-string Tenor based on a Martin Size 5 plantilla... It has a 22 5/8" scale length.. It's only about 2 1/2" deep or so....

The back and sides are Pallet wood - subsequently identified as Eucalyptus - probably the plantation grown Flooring flavor.... It's a 6-pc back.
Top is some sort of soft wood shipping crate wood - I split it out and resawed on the split face. The resin canals are very hard to see - they are not prominent, even in the split wood... Density wise - it's the same as Spruce... Very ringy/pingy stuff whatever it is....

Here's a pic of the split face of the top wood... Any takers?

Nice job!
I have just finished a half-pallet tenor ukulele with back and sides from pallet wood. ukulele is better suited because it fits better between the nail holes. The variation of colour and texture of pallet wood can be spectacular.

How does yours sound?

Bob

how bout the neck material
?

Sound is very good - I took it over to the local music store for the guys to try it out on Thursday.... It was spoken for on Friday by a local musician... It's already over at the studio....

The neck is made out of a broken shelf board I pulled out of the trash.... I think it's African Mahogany...

Thanks

Just for fun....
Here's some pix of where this one started....
If you look close - you can still see the nails in that 2x4 dunnage piece...


Just to give you an idea of the size reference....



Yes... The back pieces were a bit over 2" wide.. and the top pieces were just over 3" wide... Ended up with a 6-pc back and a 6-pc top....



MMmmm Nail Holes!

Wow! I missed this thread.
I'm impressed!

Maybe the top wood is hem-fir?
We used that back when I did a lot of house framing
for top and bottom wall plates,
instead of doug fir,
cuz it was cheaper.

i've moved a lot of pallets in my day, but never have i thought, "hm, i should make an acoustic guitar out of this...."

hem-fir refers to hemlock and a number of true firs -dougfir is not a fir- which are not typically as strong as doug fir. it is also possible that it is spruce. most of the wood in the world does not end up being used for its ideal purpose. As an example at the shop I work in we are heating the shop this winter with quilted maple, that was cut locally by an experienced wood worker who knew what it was, but did not have the money to hire a miller, so he cut it up into 3cords of fire wood and sold it for $300.

A very creative way to recycle wood ,into something worthy and useful. Kudos go to you. I built a tool box once from meranti/luan motorcycle pallets.

John, it's inspiring to see this instrument come to life from that old pallet wood! Well done.

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Yeah John, what everybody else said... that's quite impressive.
Silk purse from a sow's ear for sure.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Great job! The Tenor I am building has a 5 piece Leopard wood back. It was a board given to me a few years ago.I wanted to do the 5 piece back since i first looked at it!

Sweet! I Love it!

I think Leopard wood would make a great tenor... and a pretty one too!

It is really funny the response around here... No one around here has ever seen them in real life - so when one shows up... All the musicians are like kids with a new toy.... I suppose that's what makes them true artists... It's kinda like us when we see a new tool in the Stew Mac Catalog

Thanks