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Recycled timber build
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=41956		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  martintaylor [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Recycled timber build
Hi all,

I have almost finished a build using some recycled timber and thought I'd share some pics. The back and sides are from an old Australian Silky Oak dresser from about 1910-1920 that was beyond repair. It had been "restored" several times by less than skilled amateurs and was a bit butchered. When I found it, I noticed that the top was quarter sawn and looked big enough to get a back and sides out of it. The neck is some recycled cedar that a friend had stored for about 20 years and was about to use it as replacement fence palings (scored about 10 quarter sawn "palings" from him) and the top is some Celery Top Pine that was given to me to experiment with. I've also used some of the cedar for the bracings on the top and some old QLD maple offcuts for other bits. Admittedly t is a big experiment but so far the box sounds really nice and bright. Anyway, here are some pics and when she's done I'll see if I can get some recordings done too.

Martin

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Author:  SteveSmith [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
I love that oak - gorgeous!
Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Wow!
Author:  jack [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Nice looking oak... I really like the idea of recycled wood used in building...It appears you already have the bridge attached... If that is correct, how will you be able to level and buff the finish...?...
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Very nice! [clap] [clap]
Author:  Tom West [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Martin: Nice rescue.....!!! May it live on for another 100 years or more. CONGRATS.
Tom
Author:  ernie [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Beautiful work luv it cheers from kc

Sent from my SGH-T999L using Tapatalk
Author:  Colin North [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Very interesting project. Just got to love that Oak!
Looking forward to the soundclip, got to be good!!
Author:  martintaylor [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Thanks all for the comments.

jack wrote:
It appears you already have the bridge attached... If that is correct, how will you be able to level and buff the finish...?...


Hi Jack,

I finish my guitars with 6-7 coats of Danish Oil and then hand buff 2 coats of Wax. So, no buffing on the wheel etc. I go for a satin finish, I like the more natural look.

Thanks
Author:  Trevor Gore [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Nice job Martin. Looks like you have a couple of old wardrobes ready to go too!

What brand of Danish oil are you using? They seem to differ quite a lot.
Author:  unkabob [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
What Trevor said.

I use two coats of Danish oil to bring out the grain and then five to eight coats of wipe-on poly.
Early on I tried ten coats of Danish oil but after two or three coats, it was very slow drying. I use Watco Danish oil.

Bob :ugeek:
Author:  martintaylor [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Trevor Gore wrote:
What brand of Danish oil are you using? They seem to differ quite a lot.


Hi Trevor, I use Rustins Danish Oil. I apply with cotton rags, then rub back with 0000 grade steel wool between coats and make sure it is dry (minimum 4 hours but with all this rain atm, about 8).

And those wardrobes are tempting but then I'd have nowhere for my tools! Always on the look out for timber that can be re-purposed.
Author:  Trevor Gore [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Thanks, Martin.
Author:  Joe Sallis [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Looks beutiful, Martin.
I'm thinking recently that I like it when the binding blends into the colour of the back and sides. Yours is a good example of that. Less bling, more style. I like it.
Author:  Quine [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Looks great. I'd never guess that was a pine top. How's the sound?
Author:  Corky Long [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Fantastic! Great job.
Author:  martintaylor [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Quine wrote:
Looks great. I'd never guess that was a pine top. How's the sound?


Thanks, haven't strung it up yet but the box is tapping nice and bright. I'll attempt to get some recordings done when it is finished.
Author:  martintaylor [ Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
OK, finally finished this build. The guitar is pretty responsive but the tone is a little muted compared to my other builds. I did use cedar bracing on the top and I suspect it has something to do with that. The overall feel and sound of the guitar is good and it has started opening up after a day or so of playing. I hope to get some recordings done soon.

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Author:  nyazzip [ Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Quote:
but the tone is a little muted compared to my other builds. I did use cedar bracing on the top and I suspect it has something to do with that

...i wouldn't rush to blame cedar for that, it transmits vibration like a champ
Author:  martintaylor [ Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
nyazzip wrote:
...i wouldn't rush to blame cedar for that, it transmits vibration like a champ


Oh, good! I have another build I wanted to use cedar bracing on. This one will be completely recycled timber. An old Tassie Oak desk that was thrown out on the side of the road will make the back and sides and an Australian Cedar (Toona ciliata) top that was apparently a shelf in an old home. I love the idea of this recycling.
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Fri Nov 22, 2013 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Nice looking guitar! I like your satin finish. Looks great.
Author:  neil mchardy [ Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
This is my first post, all I want to say is that I love this guitar, I love the fact that it is recycled or should that be "up cycled" I have made a couple of instruments from my old front door, not as neat as yours though.
Author:  martintaylor [ Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Wow, what an interesting build Neil. Love the pinless bridge. Would love to see some close ups of that and also know what timbers were used etc. It looks great!
and thanks for the compliment!
Author:  Joe Sallis [ Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
Yeah, show us some pics, Neil.
Author:  neil mchardy [ Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recycled timber build
I am struggling to post multiple pics but here goes.
I can only seem to add two pics at a time.
Briefly. The guitar is one of two similar and a ukulele I made from my old front door. The back and sides were made scantling style i.e. 4 planks for the back, and the tops were from the infill panels which was a wierd sort of very stringy wood I think Meranti the rest is some sort of very pale Mahogany. The bridge and the head plate and scratchplate are from old Walnut Parkray floor tiles. The neck is a Sapele drawer front and all the trim is from both sources. The black beading and the fretboard are the only purchased items.
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