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Living in the guitar friendly state of Washington I see a lot of free or cheep longs. Because of the weather I think a lot of trees have been coming down. Things like walnut, maple, and cedar, redwood mostly. What is stopping me from using that on guitars? I mean if I quarter saw it im good to go no? With the top woods such as cedar I know I want tight grain so I big log would be good? This is something I have no knowledge in so hit me with whatever you know!!

Thanks

Matt

Read up on the conversion and seasoning of wood. In Eastern W.A. you could st up a solar kiln to speed things along or you could wait 5-7 years.

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Matt-
If you can get the wood for free, what do you have to lose except a few bandsaw blades?
You don't have to wait years to let the wood dry 'in the round'. The general practice for topwoods is to buck the log into lengths, split into billets, then saw and dry the rough top sets.
Check out Shane Neifer's website where he has some pictures of his processing system.
http://highmountaintonewood.com/index.htm
John

It's a great way to go. I have collected piles of wood along the way with the
help of a sawyer buddy who has a small mill. Walnut and maple are nice
hardwoods. It won't all be instrument grade but it's a commodity and won't
go to waste. I don't know about redwood but if you live in Washington and a
cedar is standing and alive it is probably 2nd growth and most likely not
great tone wood, but on the other hand I have never known anyone to use it.
Maybe it's great. Let us know. I would try to get all your logs in one spot
either at a mill or get a portable mill come to you. Look around and you will
most likely find a kiln that will dry it for a small fee. Once it's kiln dried find
a dry spot to store it and start planning all those woodworking project you
have wanted to do.
Happy Sawing,
Danny

I have a pal who's a tree surgeon who keeps saying "come up to the yard & see" Maybe some time.....

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if you have the time, space and tool resources available go for it. free good quality wood is any woodworker's
dream. as pointed out above, all of it won't be instrument quality wood, but some will be. the rest should be suitable for any number of things.

AGHAGHAH
You guys are killing me!
I want to get out so bad and scope for blowdowns and salvage from the recent windstorms weve had here, but Im just unable to at the present time!
Good stuff tho guys - store all the wood you can - as Danny said it wont go to waste!
Cheers
Charliewood