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I'm looking at purchasing some Basswood linings but never used it before, how does it fair up? Would you use it on a top end guitar....any opinions?

Bill S.

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Dream to be a luthier

Bill, I have used some on my guitars and I think it looks specially nice on darker woods. Adds a nice visual touch. I will continue to use it.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Yeah ...that's what I was thinking it, will make a nice contrast to walnut or rosewood but I wasn't sure about it's properties.

Thanks,

Bill

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Dream to be a luthier

I used basswood linings on one build & did not care for the working properties of this wood. When sanding or chiseling it's literally hairy, with lots of little fibers to deal with. In contrast, working with mahogany linings produces a clean result with no special effort.

hi bill....you may or may ot know this but in the uk we call basswood .....lime.......they are one in the same,,....and here i glasgow its plentifull in all the local timberyards.....

steve.......ive never had rhe hairy problem yet with basswood......could be a problem with your particular batch.......joe k

Basswood (also known in US as Linden) can sometimes be "hairy". depends on the piece. I use it all the time on my carving business. Some Linden is softer than others. Sharp tools, finer sand paper and being aware of grain direction usually helps to omit those hairy instances in softer Linden. ...but overall it is a great wood to form and a much preferred specie to carve. The med. light color makes a great contrast with dark woods.
Kent Bailey

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Basswood is a very commonly used lining on both classical and steel string. I use it almost exclusively

I've used basswood, and liked the look. I normally use Spanish Cedar because I LOVE the way it smells. ( how's that for a scientific reason to use something??)

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I have milled alot of basswood and don't like the smell of it, so i haven't used it for my guitars yet.I have also heard that in has a damping effect on tone as well.Alot of it is very hairy.It is great for carving though.I like cedar the best and have also found ash to be a good replacement for mahogany.