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I'm toying with the idea of double sides for my next guitar, and have some gaps in my knowledge I hope someone can fill in for me.

1.) Is there an advantage in sourcing quarter-sawn wood for the inner layer?
2.) What's an advisable all-up thickness for the laminated sides?
3.) Are the inner and outer layers generally of a similar thickness, or does the wood species determine the best combination of thicknesses?

Thanks in anticipation!

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Cheers
Pete

HI Pete,

Can't speak for others but I can share what I do:

1. Only in so much as it bends "cleaner", but at those thicknesses it is questionable whether it is even necessary to bend them first at all. I choose wood that has the grain at an angle to the outer layer but am not overly concerned with how QS it is.
2. I have been going with .04 for the outer and .035 for the inner, roughly speaking, and depending on species (and glue). Most times I do feel I could go even a bit thinner successfully.
3. Would depend on species to a point I guess. I would feel strange going to veneer thickness (.023) and try to keep it at .03 or so minimum for the inner. I mostly just don't want to sand through the outer.

Hope that helps.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Burton, I have great respect for your opinions - thanks for responding.

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Cheers
Pete

I follow the Bogdonovich method of a .07 -.075 outer, with two inner softwood veneers at normal veneer thickness (Alaskan yellow cedar). The sides are very stiff and stable. I also use Pro-Glue dry resin to glue them up. Dries crystal clear and hard.

Steve

Same here ,Did 3 ply walnut Outer black walnut .075 and 2. .022 non QS walnut veneers using pro bond veneer glue , works well vy strong stiff and consistent without needing a mold.

What is the purpose of double sides?