Madrone (Arbutus)

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Dean Derby
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:04 pm

Madrone (Arbutus)

Post by Dean Derby »

Hi
Does anyone have any tips for working with Madrone? I recently came across a 2” mostly quarter sawn slab from a local tree so I thought I would give it a try. It’s pretty green at this point so I have some time to plan it out.
I’m hoping to use it for back and side sets and if it’s stable enough maybe fretboards and bridges.
Any thoughts on bending? I hear it can be somewhat unstable.
Thanks
Dean
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carld05
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:19 pm
Location: Forest Ranch, CA

Re: Madrone (Arbutus)

Post by carld05 »

I bend a lot of Manzanita that is also an Arbutus for binding and find it bends very easily. I use a Fox type bender with a blanket but have also bent it into a 4" circle on a pipe for binding a soundhole. I think many guitars have been built with Madrone.
Dean Derby
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:04 pm

Re: Madrone (Arbutus)

Post by Dean Derby »

That sounds encouraging. I will also be using a “Fox” like bender with a blanket so it sounds like I’m on the right track.
Thanks for your input.
Dean
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