Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi AGFer's!

For your viewing pleasure, I have just published a profile of Oregon Mrytle complete with photos. It's an amalgam of information I have been squirreling away for my own reference and I've decided to formally compile everything I've learnt into an easy to access database. As always, improvements, corrections and additional information/ your own experiences are much appreciated- I'll update the profile citing you and linking back to you!

I can't link pics directly to here so do pop by to http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2008/08/27/oregon-myrtle-tonewood-database/ for the full Visual presentation. As always, I present the text portion of the interview for your consideration- although I do highly recommend popping by to see the pics!

Warmest regards,
Terence
www.guitarbench.com


Umbellularia californica| Tonewood Profile | "Oregon Mrytle"



Please email with any corrections/ additional info
We aim to keep each profile as complete as possible & your help is appreciated!


Quick Facts
Scientific name: Mbellularia Californica
Trade names: Oregon Myrtle/ California Laurel
Janka: 1270
Uses: Back & sides, drop tops, veneer
RIYL: Koa, Mahogany
Bling factor: Can be very highly figured.
Availability: Limited but steady
CITES status: Not listed. No restrictions

Note: (RIYL) Recommended If You Like
Bling factor rated out of a maximum of 10, based on the most highly figured sets we have seen.



Natural History


Native to the coastal forests of North West America from Southern Oregon and Northern California, Oregon Mrytle is a distinct species from that mentioned in the Bible. It's pungent leaves has a similar flavor to bay leaves and can be mistaken for Bay Laurel.

An evergreen tree, it attains heights of 45m with a trunk diameter of 2m and lives to around 200 years of age.

Status
Although Oregon myrtle is widely and commonly distributed through it's range, larger trees are hard to come by due to previous logging and it's slow growth.

Physical properties
The timber is a rich golden-brown with great variance in color and grain patterns. It is a hard, heavy fine grained wood. Curly timber is often found in the older trees.

Oregon Mrytle has a Janka rating of 1270 and a Specific Gravity ranging from 0.51-0.55.

As a tonewood…
No two sets are alike due to the great variability of the color and curl. Oregon Mrytle finishes nicely and is easier to bend than Maple.

Michael Greenfield is a proponent of this wood and is greatly appreciated for Flamenco guitars by Les Stansell and Robert Ruck.

Les Stansell says: "Oregon Myrtle and California Laurel are the same species, however the temperate rainforest and high mineral content soil of the South Oregon Coast generally produces a larger tree with a much greater variety of color and grain configuration. It is and extremely stiff wood with an interlocking grain that is very resistant to splitting. Its density and hardness ranges between Mahogany and Rosewood……its tonal response has much clarity and sustain, often compared to Mahogany and Koa. For those with an open mind, Oregon Myrtle can produce and extraordinary guitar, however the more traditional players have not yet warmed up to its unusual look."

Subjective tone…
I would classify this wood as being very similar to maple with clear, bright trebles and great projection.

Availability
It is in high demand for cabinetry with a rather limited commercial supply, this tree is beginning to attract conversation efforts. Luthier supplies are limited and sporadic.

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Links:
Les Standsell Guitars http://guitarbench.com/wp-admin/');">http://www.stansellguitars.com/
Special thanks to Les for his time, data and pictures


References:
Oregon Mrytle facts: http://guitarbench.com/wp-admin/');">http://www.stansellguitars.com/Myrtle_Facts.htm
Manual of Oregon Trees and Shrubs by William R. Randall
Native Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region by Woodbridge Metcalfhttp://guitarbench.com/wp-admin/');">
UMGF LOG cabin section


Pictures copyright individual holders.- Les Standsell. Used with permission.
Any infringement of copyright is entirely unintentional. Any copyright issues should be address to: writers@guitarbench.com. We will attempt to resolve these issues quickly.

Hi Terence,

There are pop-ups on Les's website. Any idea why? I block all popups by default, and won't enable them - too dangerous. Any chance you could persuade him to remove them so I/we can see his website?

Cheers,
Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Hi Dave,

les and my sites do not have pop-ups- but what you are seeing is an open link in a new window script on the blog. If you're worried about this, just right click on the link and click on open link in new window- which means that your program will not read it as a pop up.

Terence
http://www.guitarbench.com

Thanks, Terence, for sharing this info and the great interviews. Cheers.

I love Myrtle!!
One of my grandmothers was named Myrtle!!

I have west coast Myrtle and Austrailian Tiger Myrtle.
I 'm not sure if they are really related!

It's a beautiful wood to work and look at!
It's stiffness makes great Flamenco guitars as well as steel strings!

I but it every time i get a chance!

Dana at Oregon Wild Woods has some beautiful sets!!!!!

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Thank you for the kind words, everyone!

Terence
www.guitarbench.com