Official Luthiers Forum!

What experience has anyone had with building using Port Orford Cedar
tops? Considering buying a couple of tops but know very little about
the wood. Any information or experience will be appreciated. Thanks

It's nice wood. Sounds more similar to spruce than cedar. Smells very peppery. Works easy. Be careful with a lot of it though as the oil in the wood is toxic and excessive exposure can cause diuresis.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Thanks John. Was unaware of its toxicity. By the way , I just finished my first steel string with the help of you videos. Your DVDs were a great investment.

Thanks Anthony! Glad I could help a little.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

The two tops I have smell like soap from a bed and bath store. I like working with it. I don't find it toxic.

Marc

It is, but you would have to have prolonged exposure, and inhalation. It also messes with people who have Asthma a little more than others. We processed a huge amount of it at McPherson and one fellow there in particular it made him very sick. He was puking like mad.

However not like cocobolo wherein you either are sensitive to it or not. The wood, in particular the oil particles in the wood, if not protected against, breaks down your kidneys.

All that to say if you safeguard by wearing respirators, and using good dust collection methods then a person should be in the clear. Of course we should all be doing this no matter what the wood is!

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I've used it on several guitars. It's one of my favorites. However, just like any other topwood, its properties vary from tree to tree (actually can vary within a tree). I bought a couple of billets that have made some very nice guitars. And then there was one that I got from Bruce at Orcas Island in '84 that was incredible. When tapped, the tops rang like a temple gong.
But, all reminiscences aside, I agree with John that it definitely resembles spruce more than it does the "cedars", especially in its toughness. It's much more durable WRC, Alaskan yellow, or redwood for that matter. But, by all means at the very least wear a dust mask when sanding it.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

I'm curious about the use of Port Orford Cedar for necks. Anyone have any experience in this regard?

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George :-)

I've seen all Port-Orford (neck included) flamenco guitars by Les Stansell. I would be a bit wary on a steel string, but with a couple of carbon fiber rods it ought to work.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Works well in all applications:
http://www.instrumentdatabase.com/goodacoustics/2010/11/03/2010-brondel-model-b-3-can/

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Thanks for the thoughts and info about POC as a neck wood. For my next guitar I'm hoping to use only materials relatively local to my region. So far I've stashed a redwood top, claro walnut for back and sides and sitka for braces. Port Orford might fit in there nicely. Have to finish two others first. I'm such a slowpoke.

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George :-)

Walnut also works very well for necks.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Never thought of that, John. Will have to check walnut out as an option. Thanks for the tip.

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George :-)

I used it for the necks on my 2 builds, 2 piece laminated, one a 12 fret and the other 13. On the 13 fret the neck is pretty thin and one could see the value of carbon fiber or another lamination, the experience of going from standard tuning to drop D takes some more time then usual to settle. It is very light and to me made for a nicely balanced small guitar. I used POC for the back and sides as well, and have materials to make an all POC guitar, but for the parts that need to be harder.

Harry Fleischman uses it on necks as well.
Rob

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http://shastaguitar.com/
http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
http://www.facebook.com/robert.renick.7

It's not quite a traditional look, but if it's good enough for Michael Bashkin...

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Cheers
Pete