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I'm thinking about making an all WRC guitar, and I'm wondering how thick the back and sides should be? Anyone have any ideas or experience?

Thanks,
Phillip

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Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

Also, what kind of sound should I expect from an all cedar guitar?

_________________
Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

3 to 3.5mm should do. It must sound fine, people have made successful backs from spruce or cypress which are softwoods too, but.... WRC is way too soft. It ill be a guitar that will need a lot of pampering.

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Build log

There have been other threads on this. Some have done similar using a very thin veneer of hardwood on the outside. The object is to get the resonance of the soft wood, but the surface protection of the hardwood.

At the Marylhurst show a few weeks ago an all Port Orford cedar guitar was on display, and in concert. It was a flamenco and the performer spoke very highly of it. She said it was crisp and clear and had a consistent sound all over the range. PO cedar is actually a cypress, so this may not translate well.

All Cedar? Ya, sure , why not?

Me have done a few...even me "NO NOthing Build" is all WRC. as is the "6 day Build it Challenge."

Cedars have a warmer tone to me.

Get a carpet or some other soft padding on the bench and be careful when ever you lay the wood down, its supper soft and picks up dings, bumps, dents and scratches real easy. I've seen it show bruise markings and discolour from the bump, just like our skin. A sensitive wood you might say, and as such a sensitive picker/player is in order but not required.

Some have allergy reaction to cedar dust.

Of course if you gonna build an all cedar, your gonna need a Cedar Building Permit.

They are available from Duh Padma, just stuff $20 into an envelope to Duh Padma C/o this here forum and marked "Cedar Permit" on the outside.

blessings

Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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I was in Bob Benedetto's shop the other day and he had just finished up an all spanish cedar guitar. I never would have thought this was a good idea, but it was a pretty amazing instrument! Extremely light, as you could imagine, and very responsive especially in the bass. Of course Bob could probably make a guitar out of plywood and make it sound wonderful. That being said, I think you should try it! Just have some fun with it. What do you have to lose?

Serge deJonge has built all spanish cedar SS beofre, and the Canadaian Boucher bros have built many all red spruce guitars ....

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

I don't have the $20, but how "bout I send you my some of my Cedar stash. Oh sorry. I forgot you're allergic to the stuff.

Thanks for the chuckle Brother.

Danny

I've heard them (the all-adi boucher) and it sounds really great! But Red spruce is way stiffer than Cedar, I think... I'd be curious to ear it!

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

Thanks for the answers guys! I think I will try it. Don't have much to lose except time and money. And not much money since the cedar is from Menards.

I bent the sides yesterday and today, and there was no spring back at all.

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Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

What kind of finish do you plan for the Cedar back and sides? And for the back bracing pattern?

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

I was planning on using Nitro, unless you know of something tougher to protect the cedar.

As for back bracing, I figured standard ladder, but I might try something more adventurous.

_________________
Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

Maybe a X-Brace on the back?

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars