Official Luthiers Forum!

Yesterday I finally had the chance to bend one of the Black Limba sets that the Zootman kindly sold to me.
First off, don't you just love the looks of the stuff?
I bend by hand as I like the tactile sensation of the wood relaxing under my fingertips. I was wondering how this species would react, as this was my first experience with BL. I was surprised. It was fairly stubborn, with a reluctance to bend not unlike some of the more opinionated mahoganies. If finally yielded, but it let me know it wasn't so happy about the whole affair.

Q.- Have you, who have bent Black Limba, had a similar experience? My sides were at .085", which seemed reasonable. From now on, I'll go a bit thinner.

Don't let this steer you away from using the wood, as it is undeniably beautiful. You'll simply have to approach it differently than, say, walnut.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Steve, I just finished one. I didn't have any problems bending it but I'm using a Fox Bender with two blankets. I thought it behaved very much like mahogany (which might be why your piece behaved like the stubborn pieces of mohagany). But it sure is purdy!

I bent a set for a cutaway SJ and it bent with no issues at all... Fox styke bender with one blanket at 290-300F

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

What does Black Limba smell like when you roast it?

I get a kick out of the different smells, don't you?








Edited by Fill in the Blank 17 February 2007

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Oh, Pics?









Edited by Fill in the Blank 17 February 2007 at 2:29pm

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Bent two sets in the last week !
NO problems!
Like butter for me on my Fox bender!!!!!
Mike Collins

_________________
Mike Collins

[QUOTE=Bruce Dickey] What does Black Limba smell like when you roast it?

I get a kick out of the different smells, don't you?








Edited by Fill in the Blank 17 February 2007[/QUOTE]

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Edited by the Zootman 02/17/07 3:18 PM

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

It smells as good as it looks!!






Edited by the Peterm 02/17/07 3:51 PM

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I don't recall the bending smell, although the stuff I've bent had an amazing amount of springback until three good cookings. The resawing smell, though, is quite unpleasant.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

You guys and your Fox benders are just trying to rub it in, aren't you?

Paul--it SHO NUF is purdy!

Peter--thanks for the pic, and the encouragement re. cutaways. This guitar I'm doing gets a cutaway, and I haven't started that bend just yet.

Bruce--love the smells too. And BobC is in fact close!
No pics. Hope the new software gets installed soon. (Don't you know there's going to be a glut of frustrated photo hounds posting all at once?)

BobG--I'm glad to let BobC do the resawing. I have yet to cook my sides a few more times. I'm sure they'll get the message eventually.

Peter (again)--Nice looking work there, mate. Very inspiring!

Thanks guys,

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Steve just to put your mind at ease I do have extra sides.
Just in case.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Limba has a technical rating of "poor" for steam bending so someone has to get the really cranky stuff. I've found that the lighter weight stock tends to be more brittle with a lot of fine wind checks in some of the super-uber light stuff, but never have found it in the heavier stuff. Available extra sides is a good thing for insurance.

I have a couple of sets of it that I gog from uncle Bob. Can't wait to make something out of it. Not sure when that'll be, but I can't wait!

Peter, very nice guitar!

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars