Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Folks! This is my first of many questions. Should Peruvian Walnut { Nogal } be quarter sawn for back and sides? I can get rough 4/4 stock that is about 14"-20" wide, 8' long and dead flat, locally for $5.95/bf.
I used some of this years ago to make an end table, and it was the nicest wood to work with. Any idea what the tonal qualities are, and what final thickness I should be look at for a medium jumbo with a sitka top?

Many Thanks
Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Generally speaking QS is preferable for B&S.
I have one set of Peruvian Walnut and would put much closer to mahogany than RW, so I would leave the back a touch thicker. I treated mine like RW and now the back is too thin for a full size guitar (IMO)

I made some necks out of peruvian walnut once. It seemed to respond to the tools just like honduras mahogany to me, chisels carved it up like butter. Very straight rained and stable as well. It compared tonally and grain-ally to hondurs mahogany as well.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

+1 - nice for necks. I'd bet it will be similar to mahogany for backs & sides.

Is "grain-ally" really a word, or am I just being "grainally" retentive?

I'm going back to the lumber yard tomorrow for QS red oak, so I'll take a closer look to see if the walnut is flat sawn. I'm sure that a 20" wide board might have some quarter or rift grain. I have a feeling that my wife wants her new kitchen made from the Peruvian!

Thanks for replies!
Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

It looks like it is all flat sawn. I might buy a board and set it aside for a laminated neck, and maybe try to get some back and side sets, but I'm wondering how flat they will stay. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Hey Alex,
I've found it's a good thing to let wood sit around for a while before using it.
Especially when buying from a lumber yard.
So, I'd say you're on the right track.

Jack Pot! I just went on safari in my lumber rack, and found three Peruvian panels that I had glued up years ago, and didn't use. Looks like enough to make six necks. Also found some sapele, black walnut, maple and padauk.
How is sapele for a neck? I used some a few years ago for a neck repair and it carved fairly well. I should go root around some more and see if I can find the cat that when missing a few years ago!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Here's a 0-size in Peru Walnut that I've just completed. I really like how this wood works, it is so smooth, and smells just like... walnut.

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Actually .... Peruvian Walnut Botanical Name: (Juglans Neotropica) Peruvian Walnut is a true walnut.

Black Walnut Botanical Name: (Juglans nigra)

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