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I'm planning to build a guitar using cherry (prunus serotina). However, I've notice a lot of otherwise gorgeous sets have black spots. See the example below.



Anyone have a method for hiding these?

Thanks,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Just go with it. Thats the charm of Cherry thats nice looking wood.

I like the spots!

Thanks for the input, friends.

Best wishes,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Max, Those pitch pockets are common in cherry and hard maple. More-so in the cherry. It's hard to find cherry without it but sometimes you get lucky and get some clear boards without it. They usually don't run deep and cause any real problems. It just doesn't look good to some people. A darker finish can hide them somewhat. In freshly milled lumber, they sure show up better.

As Mark said, they are not deep, which means sometimes you may sand into them, and sometimes you can sand out of them. Years ago I made some 8' tall cherry doors that the customer rejected because of them, I had to go through piles of wood from numerous yards to find material without the black spots. The stuff is also murder on sanding belts. Personally it is just part of the wood, and that back you are showing is way to pretty to sideline over that spot, however, it is possible that the spot will turn off a potential customer.

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As has been said, that's Cherry for you. Wonderful wood, but sometimes it does this. I like it's variability, but a lot of people seem to expect wood to be uniform like a manufactured material.

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I thought the spots were a "feature".
I like them, they look natural.

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Ok ...

it don't get much simpler than this...

Ya know the wart on your wifes ass???

Right!


end of me point.


"lord have mercy on our programming."

blessings Padma

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Thanks to all you who have chimed in. I will try to keep my eye on the donut and not the hole or the "wart" so aptly mentioned.

Best to all,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan