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Blackline Spalted Maple
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=17886
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Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Blackline Spalted Maple

Last Saturday , before the Cicagoland area gathering, I was at the lumber store picking up some wood for a cabinet job. Over in the corner was some spalted maple. A lot of it was just kind of mottled and some was punky, and then this appeared. Now I just have to figure out which part to use for the back. I've got 17 1/2"x 69" to work with, I might have to try my hand at a jumbo, though I was planing on doing an OM next. Thanks to John Ressler for the resawing.
I accomplished some other lutherie tasks this weekend so far. Almost destroyed a top with a fly cutter cutting out a sound hole, so that will be my first bound sound hole. Carved an x-brace leg till the top in that area went thump instead of ring. This will be another first, replacing an x-brace, but a good lesson learned.

Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

Now how cool is that?
I like the section that's in the shot numbered 014. That'd be my choice for the back.
But it looks like more than one guitar there to me.

Also looks like fun. Good score!

Steve

Author:  Mike Collins [ Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

I like # 14 also. [:Y:]

Watch out for rotten spots !
Mike

Author:  JRessler [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

Agree on #14

Can't wait to see this one finished (hurry up!)

Author:  SteveCourtright [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

Steve - that is some lovely stuff you have there! And the guys have already weighed in on their choice. I must agree. can't wait to see this take form!

Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

I recently read some article about making your own spalted wood. Very interesting. But the authors warned of the wood's weakend nature. What I came away from the article with was that the colors are essentially microbial waste products (wood poop). Some can impart spectacular colors. But the spalted areas are by nature reduced in solid wood content. So they are weaker.

But it is beautiful! Perhaps after you thickness, you consider a thin internal veneer? This should not affect sound, should it? And you are not using it for the top.

Mike (a may try that spalting technique some time soon)

Author:  JRessler [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

I was surprised how solid this board is after resawing and sanding. It is very solid - I don't think you should have much problem with it. I didn't notice any soft pockets

Author:  StevenWheeler [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

Well pic #14 was my first choice also, so that's how I cut it. I was going to do an OM with this, but I'm waiting on Brock's printer so I can get the plans. But then again the SJ that Doug Mills built for his daughter was a real nice shape also. Decisions, decisions.

Author:  Mike Collins [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Blackline Spalted Maple

We made a classical with a spalted neck 4 years ago and there has been no problems with it at all!!
You should have seen the reactions we got from those who saw it!
bliss

Mike

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