Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi:

A friend gave me a serious old growth piece of Western Red Cedar. It measures 22" long and 16" wide. It has been sitting in storage for about 40 years at a former shake and shingle mill and has a great ring to it. I will know more when I get it to a uniform thickness. The growth rings per inch go from 26 to 9. What do you think about a one piece top? I am sure someone has to have done this at some point. Thanks.

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GEO
perpetual beginner

Couple things come to mind here ....

1 - it will certainly look out of the ordinary, but hey, its your choice.

2 - the top may not be the same stiffness on one side/edge to another .. if so, I would put the weaker side on the bass - and/or alter the bracing to stiffen up that side.

The main reason you dont see too many is rarity of pieces cut that way .... A local supplier had some, but wanted way more than what a std two piece top cost --- I saw no reason to pay more for them, and them you never know if someone wont like it (if not building for yourself, or a specific customer)

This is of course more of an acoustic thing .. lots of one piece tops on electrics, but they are usually narrower anyway.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"