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I have been reading through the archives about mesquite wood. I live in North Texas and have a Mill right down the road ...he has big pieces and it is all kiln dried.I like the idea of using local wood, and would like to build my next guitar out of it......any one care to talk about mesquite....I have heard the normal thing about the mineral content taking the edge of tools.....true? Any pics of guitars made out of it would be cool as well. Would it be good for a neck ?
peace and respect,
big John

Mesquite is not that hard. I have had no issue with major tool dulling. It makes a great tonewood. It is probably the most stable wood you will ever work with when dry. The reason it is not use more is the fact that it is hard to find big enough timber for 2 piece quarter sawn backs. There is a good deal of flat sawn available. But like most Acacias in the Americas it is smallish in size. there are several species of Mesquite not very many grow big enough for timber.

I saw a you tube video about Pawless guitars. He builds with mesquite.

http://www.pawless.com

At the last GAL they played a mesquite wood guitar at the steel string listening session. It sounded a little tight but well balanced. I would sure like to give it a try if I could find some. Another would I would like to try is manzanita if I could find any pieces large enough.

I have a set of honey Mesquite I have bee setting on for a while.

Thanks for the info guys....so....anybody seen a mesquite neck.It sounds like very stable wood...perhaps the weight issue....I bet a big mesquite neck would be quite heavy.hmmm.
peace and respect
big John

I think it is about the same as density as walnut. So heavy but not intolerable