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I found some figured Sapele.

Originally I was going to cut this piece into sides.

What do you all think about the grain deformation? Structural issue? Bending nightmare?

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

It looks like the real grain deformation is right in the middle of the board.....so you could place it above or below the waist. That would make the worst part of the grain on a relatively straight part of the side and easy to brace inside if it seems unstable.
I'd go for it!

Hi Kevin,

Well, the fact that it's quilted makes it 'grain deformed' all over the place anyway, doesn't it? I'd try it if the aesthetics suits you (the fact that is not quilted in the middle bugs me, aesthetically speaking...).

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I don't see any reason for concern for sides above and beyond what you would have with any other quilted sapele. It does look a little strange though. I'm not sure how it would look as sides. I would be tempted to see if it would look good as a back set. You might be able to make that wave compliment the waist. but it might look strange having quilt at the top and bottom but not the waist. Put a half template on it and see.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Thanks for the replies.

This is the bottom 32" off a 107" board. The wood dealer was closing in 5 minutes & they don't compromise on closing time.

I had to cut it to fit it in my car so I just assumed that I'd make sides off the end piece that wasn't as intensely figured. Yeah, I think it may look weird as sides, maybe better as backs.

Thanks again.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I dont get it .....

I would resaw it into back and sides, so that you have back and sides flitchmatched, from the same piece. Is this not always the goal?

It is not heavy quilted, it is not perfectly straight....it is wood;)

Would I resaw it for back and sides? Without any doubts yes....

cheers, alex

This board measures 11-1/2" by 32-1/4". It's the end of a longer board that I also have.

The longer board is more heavily & evenly figured so I was originally going to rip this one in half to get 2 side billets to go with backs that will come from the longer board.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

oh..ok...my stupidness....may we also see the other part, please...

I'll take some pics tomorrow.

It's not stellar but I don't regret buying it.

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Well if the other board looks as good as the ends of the one shown, I'd be stoked. If I built with sapele...

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Kevin, since I'm a newbie, I guess my standards are lower than most, but I would use the sapele you pictured for sides. I think it could look interesting with the figure above and below the waist. Admitedly I not using my best material yet (I've got a small stash) until I get a little more skilled, but I haven't found a piece that I've purchased that I don't like for some reason or another.

So here's the pic. The board I posted previously is on the left.

In retrospect, I should have cut it differently.

As I said previously, it's over 11" wide.



Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

As most of you know, it's not easy to get a good picture of figure.

Here's a closer shot of the bottom of the board that looks plain in the big photo.

And here's a Dred template on the board.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Seeing the additional pictures, I'm thinking more that it could make a cool back with the wave positioned at the waist!

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

JMO...

Yep ^^^^^^

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.