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I am building a few Tenor Guitars. This one is smaller than a Baritone Uke. I am just about ready to bend my sides. Right now they are at about .09. I was pondering thinning the waist a touch more. I hear the stuff can be a bugger to bend. So far my experience is Many Mahogany and a good experience with Sycamore. Any tips appreciated!

FYI Blues Creek bender with 1 heat blanket, 2 steel slats

Hey John,

Get it down to .070"-.075" and it should bend nicely at 370 to 400 f.

Steve

I've built with Lace wood, I think it's the same.

First side splintered and then I used Super Soft 2 and had no problems.

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As far a lace wood v.s. leopard wood they are not necessarily the same thing, thought leopard wood is often sold under the name "Lace wood". Australian lace wood is relatively soft, and light, in density. Leopard is hard, dense, and very resinous.

I've bent a lot of Leopardwood binding at .080". I probably lose 1 out of 12 pieces to cracks that start at a radial fleck. The flecking also wants to make facets as opposed to smooth bends.

.090" is pretty thick. I'd probably thin the whole thing to .075" - .080" and bend it at 360F. Supersoft can't hurt. Any thinner and I'd be worried that I wouldn't have enough thickness to sand out the facets.

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I'm currently working on a leopardwood guitar. Bent at about 80-85 and got it pretty hot, but not for too long. I think 340ish, but dont remember off hand. I did super soft it. No problems whatsoever.