Official Luthiers Forum!

Just got a care package from shane today.





Some of the wood i got today, this is what i planned on using for my first build.
Lutz,maple, ebony fretboard&bridge

The binding strip is curly koa. I'm interested in hearing your opinion on what wood would work nicely as binding/purfling and for wooden rosette. I've got a feeling the koa will be a little too light in color, though i'm not sure. After finishing is applied it might work great.
i've also been pondering the idea of using EIR as fretboard and bridge.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Frank

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Frank

I've never built with maple but I have used it as binding with eir. I think the color of your koa would be ok, but I wonder if the curl would compete with the curly maple. I think ebony would look great and something like red heart could be really eye catching as well. If you wanted something with figure what about snakewood?

Frank,

The excitment begins. Shane's wood is top notch.

The koa will darken with finish. I like curly koa with curly maple:



EIR is fine as a fingerboard but I think the ebony will look better. I've never used EIR as a bridge so can't comment but people's views on ebony as a bridge will be schizophrenic - some people love them, some hate them.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Frank;
I'm with Dave!!!!!
Shanes wood are topnotch!!!!!!

Koa on Maple is like .......-can't say it here!!!

Go for it!
Send pics often!!!!!

This is the place for learning& help when you need it!!!


Mike

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Mike Collins

Dave, i remember that guitar when you posted about it, that was the reason i ordered the koa binding was just a little afraid that the color would clash with the ebony parts of the guitar.
also i was thinking spalted maple rosette, i'll order a bunch of different rosette tiles just in case.



I've noticed on this forum too that asking if ebony bridges are any good, is just like asking the elves for council...

Thanks.

Frank

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Frank

I think an EIR fretboard does not feel as good, and does not hold fret tangs as well as the heavier rosewoods or ebony. Refretting one can be an adventure.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I have had the same experience with EIR as a fingerboard. Bring out the CA glue!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin