1/4 sawn red oak

[deadedith]

You are opening a can of worms, Dave :-) I'm using englemann spruce because my past experience with it has been good. I am not sure of the red oak's sonic qualities, though I am told it should have a strong fundamental up and down the fretboard, between say mahogany and EIR, with enough overtones to make it real interesting. I'll know in a week or so.
I just tapped the top often when shaving the braces, and tapped the back often when shaving those braces. Both were pleasing to my ear, so I think I have the conditions right for a good sounding instrument.

I can't think of too many rights and wrongs in that respect; however, a softer wood like cedar might not be a good choice for a large body guitar.

Maybe some of our pro's will weigh in on this, I would like to hear their answer to your question.
Been following your thread - very good, very interesting.
DaveB

[David L]

It's ironic you mention a can of worms... oh I won't go there right now. Reason I ask is well the old saying "curiosity killed the cat" and dude I know, knows a dude, sent me pictures of some crazy wormy white oak (not worm holes, wormy figure). For my next guitar I was wanting to build something out of a non-rosewood species and looking for something whitish in color and up popped this white oak, it has some really awesome wormy figure and I'm a figure kind of man, you know 36-24-36, oh wait a minute, wrong figure, wrong forum, oops, sorry, anyway this oak seems like it will fit the bill, and I too am hoping that our resident pros and anyone else who has experience with oak will throw a couple of pennies at it. I am looking forward to hear your revue of how it sounds (when you get to that point).

David L

[kencierp]

I suggest that you don't over think this -- is the material dry? Is it stable? If so its suitable for tonewood. As a rule 1/4 sawn material has a more predictable expansion contraction cycle, the basic design of the acoustic guitar takes this into consideration. Ask your self where's the room full of prized, Paduck, Buginga, Spalted Maple, Spalted Mango etc. guitars? Fact is the wood looks nice, its available -- so guys and gals build guitars using those and other interesting or exotic woods.

Here's a good wood primer

http://www.taylorguitars.com/woodandste ... l_2008.pdf

[David L]

I like you philosophy Ken, kinda like Dr. Ruth Westehiemer "if it feels good, do it" (oops, wrong forum again, sorry). There all lots of beautiful woods just begging to be turned into guitars but the hesitation seems to be, "is it politically correct" or "will it sound good" or "will it this or that" so I like to hear "just go for it". Thanks Ken.

David L

[Tony_in_NYC]

I like you philosophy Ken, kinda like Dr. Ruth Westehiemer "if it feels good, do it" (oops, wrong forum again, sorry). There all lots of beautiful woods just begging to be turned into guitars but the hesitation seems to be, "is it politically correct" or "will it sound good" or "will it this or that" so I like to hear "just go for it". Thanks Ken.

David L

One of the main reasons Martin and Taylor use mahogany and EIR for the majority of their guitars is that they sell better than other woods. But as Ken pointed out, any well seasoned hardwood will work.
Here is a great article on "tonewoods" and such. It is informative and eye opening. Enjoy!
http://www.guitarnation.com/articles/calkin.htm

[Darryl Young]

Beautiful Red Oak!

[Ken Hundley]

I think one of the other reasons they use those woods are a trade-off between sound quality, perceived sound quality, and that maybe those woods, for the moment, yeild more consistent results lending themselves to the automated process better and delivering a more uniform product. As they become more scarce, they will shift to a new tonewood.

[rhagen]

On a somewhat related note, did anyone else see this story about Huss and Dalton planning to make some guitars out of poplar? http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/huss-da ... c-guitars/

I've never heard of poplar as a guitar tonewood.

Rick

[David L]

Once the word gets out, it could become "popular"! Oh no, a pun, good grief, groan.

David L

[deadedith]

That was punishing, Dave..
DaveB