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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | So, don't call the witch-hunters yet, but I'm working with a small private luthier on crafting a custom SJ-style guitar for my "woodier" needs. I'm trying to pick out the wood combination right now, and need some suggestions from those so inclined.
It's a small-jumbo body style, venetian cutaway, 14-fret 1 3/4" nut, set up for more rhythm playing than anything else. My top and back choices that I'm trying to decide between are:
Tops:
Adirondack Red Spruce
Englemann Spruce
Western Striped Cedar
Curly Redwood
Backs:
High-figure Claro Walnut
Tazmanian Blackwood (Australian Black Acacia)
Master-grade Curly Koa
Macassar Ebony
High-figure Oregon Myrtle
Again, I'm wanting a great responsive setup for heavier rhythm playing, some fingerstyle picking, and at the same time something that will be an out-of-this world killer looker.
Any thoughts? |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I suppose that you mean a real "Beamer",..
Top ; Englemann
Back ,a Highly Reflective/Hard Material..:Mastergrade Curly Koa
Then again,you could allways try a Resonator.. :)
Vic
..mahogany for the sides.. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Englemann Spruce with Curly Koa B/S.
I would not mix different woods on the back vs. sides. It's been done, but usually not with stellar results. I think you have to get really lucky.
Completely different guitar than you're considering, but I have a custom Martin 00 with that combination of Englemann and Koa and it's a lovely sound.
I believe the TAK-417 that's all the rage right now in a 00 body (New Yawker, Parlor, whatever) is also that same combination. I've played it and like the sound a lot.
Good luck on your project.
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Englemann Spruce/Master-grade Curly Koa
:rolleyes: |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Red Cedar/ Claro Walnut. |
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November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | How 'bout a Left Coast Custom- redwood/myrtle? Have no idea how it would sound, and proper bracing, but my opinion & a dollar........ |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | your choice of spruce, myrtle or walnut
I wouldn't use koa because to my ear it sounds mellower(although I hate that word) You said you wanted punchy so I'd go the other direction. How about figured Maple? Just make sure it's a 4" deep body. |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | So something like this would fit the bill:
That's kind of what I was thinking... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | nicely. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | beautiful. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Ditto everything Jeff has posted in this thread. Red spruce is also known as adirondack spruce. It has a bit more "crispy" sound than stika or englemann... |
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November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | YIKES! That is a seriously gorgeous instrument. Keep us in-the-loop, please!! |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | May I suggest that you stain the top a little,a slight red ,Sunburst even,the one on the picture looks nice,but a bit pale,... :)
Vic
..4 inch deep,..or better.. |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | I think I'm leaning more towards the Adi/Myrtle combo. Beal, any good way to describe the difference between myrtle and walnut? I don't think I've actually played either on a nice quality guitar.
The one I'm looking at is really similar to the picture, except with some custom inlays and different binding. Mucho $$$ but just way too cool. |
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Possible Heresy - calling for wood-body guitar opinions