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Jay & Michael (Spencer--welcome, Michael!) mentioned S. Yellow pine. I know you aren't speaking of this type of pine Serge, but by gum it interests me. I've got a 4 acre back yard full of the stuff, and I'm always wondering...
When the grain is tight and straight, and it's well-quartered--say some old growth Longleaf pine--man the stuff is truly georgeous. Hard as nails, orange-red color, and dense. A bit prone to move, but I've always thought for Back & Sides this would be a rewarding experiment.
Does anyone else look around in the lumber yard for just that "perfect" board?

SK

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks Steve i'm glad to hear i'm not the only one who has been tempted by pine, i'm sure if one checks closely at any kind of pine, he will find some nice characteristics sought by luthiers usually, could just be the way of the future if someone were to make it fashionable but for now, it just seem to be really under rated.

We never know, it might change soon, we only need a courageous guy to start building with it !

Steve, maybe your pine will challenge the red cedar tops one day, i'd really like to see some pictures of it if you have any on hand!

Mahogany's a dream to work with, Serge. Easily my favourite hardwood when it comes to workability, and the sound ain't half bad either.

Looks like Colin is swearing by it, for necks though, i understand that mahog is easier to carve than let's say maple ?

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Looks like Colin is swearing by it, for necks though, i understand that mahog is easier to carve than let's say maple ?[/QUOTE]

Yes. Certainly with edge tools (if the mahogany's well quartered, and the maple figured, f'r instance) and it's easier on other types of cutting tools as well. Mind you, I've only ever make two maple necks, and lots more mahogany ones, and both went just fine. The mahogany carves more easily.

Actually pine is nothing new to guitar building. When you go back to when the "virgin" forests were still here the pines were much older and stronger and it wasn't so unusual to find it being used. There are some current builders who swear by white pine as a top wood....I haven't heard one but would be willing to try a build with WP. Here's a link White pineBrian Hawkins38761.3687962963

Pine has also been used for bowed instrument tops.
Craig

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Steve, maybe your pine will challenge the red cedar tops one day, i'd really like to see some pictures of it if you have any on hand![/QUOTE]

Well, that's a bit optimistic, Serge. Our S. Yellow pine is too hard, too dense for good top material. At least it's not going to rival W. red cedar any time soon. But I do feel that it would be fun to use for the backs / sides. For example this photo of Longleaf (Heart) Pine:




This shot is from a salvage company who reclaims the stuff from old beams and makes flooring from it. And why not guitar sets???

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks Mattia, i think i'll reconsider using maple and opt for mahog instead, so many people have advised me this way that i think it's worth waiting a bit more and get the real stuff!

Brian , thanks for this great link, i know that where i'm staying right now, the Brits used to come here for harvested white pine for their fleet, some 150 years ago, so if white pine was good then for their ships, it wouldn't scare me now to use it for guitar tops.

Craig, thanks for the information!

Steve, that Long leaf (heart)pine is just gorgeous, i'd really be curious to see it on Backs & Sides too, one might be surprised of all it's qualities and being part of the pine family, it must be easy to work with?

I just wish i had 4 acres of land filled with lots of those, i'd buy me a portable saw mill for sure!


This thread is getting better by the minute!

Thanks guys

Serge
Serge Poirier38761.6952893519

Old, reclaimed heart pine might work well for b/s, but I wouldn't touch the southern yellow pine around here. It's all 3rd or 4th generation, fast grown, etc. It has about 12 lines per foot if you're lucky, oozes resin, and warps like curly fries.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I will visit with some of the sawmill owners in my area, check on some of the old/large logs, have some myself and get some samples for all to see. We have sold timber in recent years and most of what we have is pine and old stand with diameters 3-5'. This old timber would be the best. I will see what I can find and post it.

Cool Michael, can't wait to see those loplolly pime pics!

Serge