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Imbuia
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=49847
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Author:  jfmckenna [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Imbuia

I forgot how much I love this stuff. I lived in a log cabin in Indiana that a guy built himself and the floor was made from Imbuia. When I first came to check out this place for rent I was shocked at how beautiful the floor was. After he learned I built guitars he said, "I have a barn full of left overs take what you want." So I took a pickup truck load. That was about 1995. I built many guitars out of it but then just let the stash pile sit for a long time. The floor boards are big enough for 4 1/4in sides and 4 piece backs. It ranges from chocolate dark brown almost black to light tan in color and almost always has some sort of crazy figure to it.

Just thought I'd share ;)

I cut enough sets this weekend for about 5 guitars. Also the stuff smells fantastic when you are working with it.

This is what most of it looks like:
Image

The curly stuff was on my reserve list for a long time. But note also the almost orange one next to it. That piece was almost black till I resawed it open and fresh.
Image

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Nice!

Author:  Colin North [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Why can't I see the images?

Author:  Cal Maier [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Not there for me either!
Cal

Author:  jfmckenna [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Ooops sorry, maybe now you can see? I think it's a Google permissions thing.

Author:  Joe Beaver [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Images are coming thru now! I also love the stuff.

In fact I'll be starting a build soon with this interesting set I got from Bob at RC Tonewood way back when.

Author:  Colin North [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Thanks, can see them now - really nice!

Author:  meddlingfool [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

What is the tap tone like?

Author:  Mike Collins [ Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

I love it.
The sweet odor, and it holds a bend well.
My first guitar I made with it went to Steve Miller the rocker.

Mike

Author:  jfmckenna [ Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Joe Beaver wrote:
Images are coming thru now! I also love the stuff.

In fact I'll be starting a build soon with this interesting set I got from Bob at RC Tonewood way back when.


Yup that's the stuff! I have a few boards that have that same figure on it, it's wild.

meddlingfool wrote:
What is the tap tone like?


I'm not one to attribute tap tone to what a finished guitar sounds like but of course I always tap wood to see if some day it all starts making sense ;) The tap of Imbuia when thinned down to guitar plate dimensions is rather dull. It's more of a knock than a ping like rosewood. In full sized 3/4in boards it has a nicer musical tone to it. But I can tell you that it makes a great guitar. To harp more on the subject, some of the best guitars I've made were with tops for example that tapped like wet cardboard.

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

Beautiful!

Author:  ernie [ Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

+1 for imbuia have never seen a board yet

Author:  George L [ Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

That's good looking wood!

Yeah, I don't think tap tone is a thing with back and side wood. For example, walnut rings about like soggy cardboard when tapped, yet it makes a fine guitar. idunno

Author:  Ken Jones [ Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Imbuia

George L wrote:
That's good looking wood!

Yeah, I don't think tap tone is a thing with back and side wood. For example, walnut rings about like soggy cardboard when tapped, yet it makes a fine guitar. idunno

And Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle — totally thuddy tap, but two of my best sounding guitars were made from it. Go figure...


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