When Stradivarius built violins they did not have very good climate control. They would get very dry in the winter and wet in the humid summers. In modern times the extremes of exposure are much less. I think if you let the wood (well dried) climatize to your shop for a few weeks you are good to go!
I think you are absolutely correct. The guitars we heard growing up from the fifties, whether acoustic or electric. That made all the great music of the day. Weren't made in humidity controlled shops with the most perfect wood available. Not with exacting accuracy from CNC machines. These manufacturers were trying to make a buck. I love Wenge fretboards. I've used a lot of them. I was sold Bolivian Rosewood which I also like a lot for fretboards. I was told it was a kind of trade name. Not a real rosewood. The major players have been using it for years now calling it Pau Ferro. My supplier also called it Morado.
But, Kevin, you didn't tell us the correct wood to use! LOL! We used to say, "It isn't rocket science," when discussing issues like this. Wood is such a variable material - I wonder what the confidence limits are on those shrinkage values. It's reassuring to hear the voice of reason. Thank you for sharing.
Way back in the days of old where you had to use the best locally sourced woods because you might not live long enough to get the exotic woods by sailing ship many fine instruments used pear wood dyed black for a fingerboard. Kevin is spot on. Use what gives you the fizz. It's your build. If it's a commissioned guitar use what gives the customer the fizz! Personally, I'm old school and love the look of MOP against rosewood. Last year I paid $120 at an estate sale for a nasty looking side table because the top was perfectly quartersawn Brazilian rosewood. Be pragmatic and keep your eyes open! There are still treasures out there!
The Amazing thing " To Me" and I've been Playing for 45+ yrs, Those that want or try to make guitars and instruments Technical and scientific , Can't perform or out play what's in their Lap ! I Own Many ,,, and the absolute best sounding is a wore out " When I bought it " Gibson J-45 ! And it's literally beat tp hell ! I hate the thick wide neck , the Old tuners thats rusted the pick guard thats rolled up ,,,and the finger board that's just about been fretted all the way through ! But ! ,,, It was a buddy of Mine , he Passed and I bought from his son ! There's nothing on it , that's correct or not terrible ,,,, But it Honestly sounds Like Angels singing ! I own Several Martins , a few Taylors and I love Blueridge ,,,, And I'm OCD about Care and clean and In tune ! And none of em will out do that J-45 , beat to hell and back !
Very interesting, and yes, the numbers border on confusing to say the least. But I appreciate that practical advise, use what works. I've got a few fingerboard blanks around that I got when a Luthier supplier was going out of business. But from here, I'll look at other options. I know there's a hardwood supplier in town and I'm looking at the stuff they sell, and I think I could get a good number of choices there.
I've heard someone say that if it grows with moisture that it can push against the fretboard extension and cause backbow.. To that I say hogwash because it wouldn't grow over a couple thousands lengthwise... and as far as the frets poking out, well that's a simple fix . Just wait a few years to let it settle in and dress them up in the wintertime when the humidity is way down .. problem solved.. Its probably never going to shrink past that point again. Unless maybe if it was left hanging in an attic in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years .. lol
3:23 In Europe we all call it in the first way you said. I always figured that the Africans back in the day may have dropped a piece of padauk, and it kinda makes the sound of the pronunciation, the first one, padoook ;) It's definitely padoook haha
Might be hard to work for a whole neck. And it would be heavy as a whole neck. Might introduce some neck dive as a whole neck. It sure would look cool!
Thank you for the great insight!
I was hoping to see some NE Iornwood/Blue Beach. Have you harvested any yet?
When Stradivarius built violins they did not have very good climate control. They would get very dry in the winter and wet in the humid summers. In modern times the extremes of exposure are much less. I think if you let the wood (well dried) climatize to your shop for a few weeks you are good to go!
I think you are absolutely correct. The guitars we heard growing up from the fifties, whether acoustic or electric. That made all the great music of the day. Weren't made in humidity controlled shops with the most perfect wood available. Not with exacting accuracy from CNC machines. These manufacturers were trying to make a buck.
I love Wenge fretboards. I've used a lot of them. I was sold Bolivian Rosewood which I also like a lot for fretboards. I was told it was a kind of trade name. Not a real rosewood. The major players have been using it for years now calling it Pau Ferro. My supplier also called it Morado.
But, Kevin, you didn't tell us the correct wood to use! LOL!
We used to say, "It isn't rocket science," when discussing issues like this. Wood is such a variable material - I wonder what the confidence limits are on those shrinkage values. It's reassuring to hear the voice of reason. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you had Wenge on the list I just put one on a guitar. Thanks again for the info.
Way back in the days of old where you had to use the best locally sourced woods because you might not live long enough to get the exotic woods by sailing ship many fine instruments used pear wood dyed black for a fingerboard. Kevin is spot on. Use what gives you the fizz. It's your build. If it's a commissioned guitar use what gives the customer the fizz! Personally, I'm old school and love the look of MOP against rosewood. Last year I paid $120 at an estate sale for a nasty looking side table because the top was perfectly quartersawn Brazilian rosewood.
Be pragmatic and keep your eyes open! There are still treasures out there!
The Amazing thing " To Me" and I've been Playing for 45+ yrs, Those that want or try to make guitars and instruments Technical and scientific , Can't perform or out play what's in their Lap ! I Own Many ,,, and the absolute best sounding is a wore out " When I bought it " Gibson J-45 ! And it's literally beat tp hell ! I hate the thick wide neck , the Old tuners thats rusted the pick guard thats rolled up ,,,and the finger board that's just about been fretted all the way through ! But ! ,,, It was a buddy of Mine , he Passed and I bought from his son ! There's nothing on it , that's correct or not terrible ,,,, But it Honestly sounds Like Angels singing ! I own Several Martins , a few Taylors and I love Blueridge ,,,, And I'm OCD about Care and clean and In tune ! And none of em will out do that J-45 , beat to hell and back !
Very interesting, and yes, the numbers border on confusing to say the least. But I appreciate that practical advise, use what works. I've got a few fingerboard blanks around that I got when a Luthier supplier was going out of business. But from here, I'll look at other options. I know there's a hardwood supplier in town and I'm looking at the stuff they sell, and I think I could get a good number of choices there.
I've heard someone say that if it grows with moisture that it can push against the fretboard extension and cause backbow..
To that I say hogwash because it wouldn't grow over a couple thousands lengthwise...
and as far as the frets poking out, well that's a simple fix . Just wait a few years to let it settle in and dress them up in the wintertime when the humidity is way down .. problem solved.. Its probably never going to shrink past that point again. Unless maybe if it was left hanging in an attic in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years .. lol
The longitudinal swelling and shrinkage of wood is negligible, even at lengths of several feet. A fingerboard can't introduce bow in either direction.
Great video Kevin!!
Well explained. Also consider the acacias from Australia. Can supple
3:23 In Europe we all call it in the first way you said. I always figured that the Africans back in the day may have dropped a piece of padauk, and it kinda makes the sound of the pronunciation, the first one, padoook ;) It's definitely padoook haha
I have about 20 boards 36*3*1.25 of Lacewood. Would you recommend re-sawing to fretboards or can it be used for neck?
Why not? Resaw one and try it if you don't want to commit all of your stock.
@@thepragmaticluthier Thanx for quick response
Might be hard to work for a whole neck. And it would be heavy as a whole neck. Might introduce some neck dive as a whole neck. It sure would look cool!
@@dalgguitars Ya it weighs a ton and its already about 30 years old.