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Wanted: Curly Maple Sides
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=56238
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Author:  George L [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Had a mishap bending curly maple. It’s a bit of a long shot, but I’m hoping to find a replacement set of sides that would complement the back pictured here.

Thanks,
George :-)

Author:  wbergman [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

https://nwtimber.com/musical-billets/back-side-sets

You might try this place. I think they may be near you.

Author:  dofthesea [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Vince From Pacific Coast Woods has Maple that looks sillier in curl and color.

Author:  Mike_P [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

I'm guessing that's red (soft) maple and fully vertical grain too boot. E.g. since most suppliers carry big leaf you might have issues finding something that matches.

Author:  George L [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Mike_P wrote:
I'm guessing that's red (soft) maple and fully vertical grain too boot. E.g. since most suppliers carry big leaf you might have issues finding something that matches.


Yes, it’s been a bit of a challenge so far. Been looking casually off and on for a while. Thought I’d try a more concentrated effort before giving up completely.

Author:  Pmaj7 [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

What species? Minimum size?

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Author:  George L [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Hey there, Pat. Hope you’re doing well! Honestly, I can’t say what exact species I have here. (Checking my extensive imaginary notes …) I know that I bought the set from someone, somewhere, sometime ago. laughing6-hehe

Since ruining one of the ribs, I’ve just been eyeballing stuff called “maple” as I come across it, hoping for a good match. Maybe it’ll happen, maybe it won’t. The idea was/is to make an OM, so 34” x 5” x 1/8” would be good.

Best regards,

Author:  Mike_P [ Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

it might be "easier" to find the lumber then have it resawn into the sides...

http://www.mckinneyhardwoods.com/curlysoftmaple.html

Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

I feel your pain George. I snapped a Cuban Mahogany side about 10 years ago. Still have the glued up back and one side. I'll either find a set of sides or use Honduran at some point if I can't find one or a set of Cuban sides.

Author:  Mike Collins [ Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Did you get any sides yet?

Mike collins

Author:  rlrhett [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Exactly matching the back seems a fool’s errand. But is it necessary? I’ve seen plenty of guitars where the back isn’t the board as the sides.

One radical solution is using something like an African Blackwood for contrast. Also, you may find it easier to locate highly figured veneer and laminate some sides. Regardless, I think you are going to have to think out of the box. Who knows, you may end up with something you like even more than your original plan.


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Author:  George L [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

No sides located yet. I appreciate all the replies! Alternative approaches abound and I may end up going that way in the end. For me, the hunt is half the fun, and I’m in no hurry.

Author:  DennisK [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

How about a guitar with curly maple back, Cuban mahogany top, and one side of each :)

Author:  bcombs510 [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

George, do you have a pic of the other side to see the full figure on the back? I may have a source for you.


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Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

DennisK wrote:
How about a guitar with curly maple back, Cuban mahogany top, and one side of each :)

Ha! Don't think I haven't thought about my options. Could even be Pau Ferro sides with a Cuban back.

Author:  George L [ Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

bcombs510 wrote:
George, do you have a pic of the other side to see the full figure on the back? I may have a source for you.

The front of the back. [:Y:]

Author:  George L [ Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Also, for further reference, this is the figure on the original ribs.

Author:  Mike_P [ Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

the "issue" I see with the situation is you have 3 things going on...basic color of the wood...the figuring and compared to the back set appears to be out of the same chunk of wood...the "killer" is being vertical grain and all those flecks of pinkish coloring caused by that and that totally changes the way the overall color is perceived...e.g. you really need a vertical grain piece of wood to match what you've got.

Author:  George L [ Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

Yes, it was a nice set. Very disappointing to have cracked one of the ribs.

Author:  BobHowell [ Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wanted: Curly Maple Sides

I had two sets of sides about like that but no back. First, I paired with very nice Birdseye maple.
Second with curly maple but not as tight.

Bought the board about 1994 with Jewlery boxes in mind. Every year I seem to add a little more to my stash. So, collecting.

Bob

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