Official Luthiers Forum!

To all guitar makers:

We just got a new shipment of Cocobolo with some of the best and wildest figure you'll ever see. We will be cutting them into billets and selling them, first come first serve style. If you are interested, check out the Musical Instrument section of our website; if not, then have a nice weekend!

Thanks!

Out of curiosity, is coco used often at all for fingerboards and bridges?
Just having thoughts of a coco back/sides with a coco fingerboard and
bridge, maybe a maple neck and spruce top...not that I could afford the
zoot, mind you.

Are more pix forthcoming?
WHat is the moisture content?
Are the sets $150m , as pictured for the one marked "sold"

You know luthiers like to see what they could buy without requesting emailed pix etc.

The one set pictured is pretty amazing (I'm concerned about the stability. I'd hate to have a set go wrackedy because of a rush to resaw while still wet) Can you tell/show us more?

[QUOTE=ecklesweb] Out of curiosity, is coco used often at all for fingerboards and bridges?
[/QUOTE]
I don't know the answer to your question, but cocobolo is more irritating than the average (even for tropical woods) and some folks have strong allergic reactions to it.
Dust is the main culprit, but I recall reading a story about a woodwind maker turning a recorder in coco and having his lips blister when he tried to play it.
So it might be a problem as a fingerboard for some sensitive/allergy-prone folks.
It's one of the few woods I won't work with- too bad since it is often so beautiful, and apparently sounds good to boot.
Cheers
John

I'll echo John's comments on the "allergenic" factors of cocobolo. During my "health hiatus" from building, I have eliminate a few items from the shop for just those reasons...and cocobolo was one of them. I know it would occassionally give me a very minor skin irritation, but when I started to get the bronchial problems...well discretion became the better part of valor. I have read accounts where it has been mentioned that upwards of 25% of people will be affected, to some degree, by cocobolo, Therefore, any open surfaced area...fingerboards and bridges...where a hand will come it regular contact could stir up reactions. For the luthier, all phases of building with the wood will introduce both intimate contact and the production of potentially troublesome sanding dust.
So, if you think you may have had incidents involving cocobolo, take care in all future contacts with it...from one who has been there!

_________________
Hank Mauel

Jay, I used coco trim on a recent grenadillo grand concert guitar, including a coco bridge, whick I just removed this week to thin down a bit, along with some brace revoicing. It came out well, sounds much better too. I weighed in at just over 28 grams when originally, reworked it came out to about 23 grams. I wanted it to match the trim, and it seems to be working well.

Yeah Hesh, I too am concerned. That's why I haven't (maybe WON'T) build a coc guitar. Least till I have absolutely the BEST dust collection I can get. Down draft table, air cleaner, etc. Thanks for the complements. It's the one bridge in use when I borrowed Lance's jig.

BTW, I have respiratory issues with coc. The first time I ever used it, I was making clock miniatures, and sanding outside with a dust mask. My hands itched prety badly!