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Would a curly sitka top potentially require a different thickness due to variable wood properties as compared to standard sitka? I'm a newbie here and am not yet confident of my assessment of the tones produced from tapping. Anything I should be aware of here?

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Hi Doug,

By curly Sitka, if you mean bearclaw, for myself I always threated it as if it was strait grain. But in any case if you wish to make sure, do flex testing with the two and compare. Make sure to compare with a strait grain board that has similar density though...

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

I've built one with it. It feels denser. If I did it again, I would go a little thinner.

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Pat

This is where deflection testing comes in handy. Then it doesn't matter what species of wood it is, you'll be able to get it consistent. Not much help for you now, mind you. But I have found figured spruce to be a bit stiffer than straight.