Official Luthiers Forum!

Just took delivery of several Caucasian Spruce "Picea Orientalis" tops from Octopus Wood Works. It took about 40 days to get here from Turkey, but it's very nice looking stuff. Seems to be very light in weight and color with nice stiffness.

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Brad

SNAP! I just found myself in possession of a lovely set from Octopus!
I love the colour, tightness of grain, and the lack of medulary rays compared to other spruces.
Really beautiful stuff. Will look really striking with the right rosette and binding scheme!




Can't get high enough resolution to do it justice but that's 40+ grain lines per inch over two thirds or so of the guitar!

As it was a gift (and, of course, because I like it so much), the guitar I make with it will be for me! Can't wait!

That's not octopus. This is octopus.


Sorry. I couldn't resist. One of the perks of my day job. All the octopus you can eat. That's a little guy.

You don't like medullary rays??

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

My reaction as well, Jim! I love silking in a top. Makes it beautiful under finish.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

No, no, no, no! I didn't write that very well, that's not what I meant! I adore them! I have some Austrian "moon Spruce" for my brother's guitar, and the number one priority along with bearclaw figure was that it had full silking across the board. And it does, which I'm thrilled about! (My last two had pretty good silking to. In fact, Jim, if I remember correctly, I think you complimented my choice of top wood on my #2 )

All I meant was that it makes a nice change from the norm to see this set of Caucasian spruce with its striking, two-tone effect of grain lines on almost pure white. I assumed that was a feature of the species but I just checked some pics online and there are some Caucasian tops with silking.

Anyway, I like different looks and I like the idea of building with lots of different species. This also came highly recommended in terms of "tone".



Danny,
How's the tap tone on that one?
(also couldn't resist )

Some guys have all the luck..........!!! Save some for the rest of us Danny!!!
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Nick, Looks to me like that top will show very nice, subtle silking. Very nice indeed.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks, Joe! Glad you like it!

Got to find time to build my challenge guitar and then I'll build my one (this Caucasian) and my brother's (the moon spruce) as "brother guitars". Can't wait! I'll match this top with a lovely set of sapele, a Madagascan rosewood fretboard and bridge, and a fantastic mahogany neck salvaged from a Victorian era bed!