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Bending wood of luthier's dream
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=40228		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  enricopg [ Wed May 01, 2013 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Bending wood of luthier's dream
I am sure every luthier dreamed about a wood that was so easy to bend with zero spring back. I think you were sure this wood was present only in one's dream.
Well, that wood actually does exist. I just used it. It is imbuya. It basically wants to bend by itself. As soon as I removed it from the bender it stayed that way with no spring back. I only got similar results when I used laminated sides.
I cannot tell about sound. But if it sounds nice, well I wonder why it is not more commonly used in guitar building.
It was such a revelation I wanted to share. bliss [clap]
Author:  douglas ingram [ Wed May 01, 2013 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
Mine was air dried Green Ash. Wet it, keep it damp for one hour, bend it cold with hand pressure only, leave to dry, done.

It even took very tight bend cutaways!
Author:  Quine [ Wed May 01, 2013 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
I can't say I've tried them all but bending is usually the most fun part of the project for me.
Here's' my list of best woods
Easy benders: Low to medium figure Maple, Koa, Rosewood, Walnut (smells great too)
Fussy benders: Mahogany (springback) and very curly Maple (snap)
Author:  Goodin [ Wed May 01, 2013 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
I find cocobolo and Panama rosewood to be extremely easy to bend.
Author:  LarryH [ Wed May 01, 2013 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
I've only bent Walnut and Mahogany so far. Walnut comes close to being dream easy, Mahogany took lots more heat, 350 - 375 then cooked at 320 for 20 minutes or so to avoid spring back. Still got some spring back. Never tried Imbuya.
Author:  Mike Collins [ Wed May 01, 2013 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
I agree Enrico!
The first time I used it I was amazed.
Smells great also!.

Also called Brazilian Walnut ; but I'm not sure why.

That first one belongs to Steve Miller-yes the famous one.
"Fly Like An Eagle"

I have many highly figured sets of it.

Mike
Author:  John Arnold [ Wed May 01, 2013 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bending wood of luthier's dream
Oak, beech and ash are the easiest-bending domestic woods.
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