Paduak for back/sides

[Haggis]

Hi!
Paduak lookes nice, but would it be a good choice for a beginner? Difficult to work with? What could it be comparable with soundwise? What top would be the best choice?
thanks
Häggis

[tippie53]

Paduak is a good tone wood but can be difficult to bend. It seems to like lots of heat and water.
Thin to about .080

[Haggis]

Paduak is a good tone wood but can be difficult to bend. It seems to like lots of heat and water.
Thin to about .080

Is it better to choose walnut instead? I haven´t tried the bending process yet so maybe I should go with something easier? Would sitka spruce be a good choice for the top?
häggis

[Darryl Young]

I haven't used either wood......but walnut is easy to bend.

[tippie53]

walnut is a great wood and bends well. Good start wood.
If you are bending by hand be sure you have plenty of heat and take time. Patience is the hardest part in learning to bend.
Too slow you will smell it scorch too fast it won't relax

[CavalierKingCharles]

I would go with the Walnut as well, easy to bend.
I bought practice sides from various vendors and broke, cracked, scorched the first 10 or so pieces.

Most of all, have fun with it.

Scott