Official Luthiers Forum!

I realize that I really don’t know anything about moisture content in wood except that it has to do with stability. Postings on the forum have often mentioned moisture content from 6-8 percent. My guess is that this would be good figure to shoot for when purchasing wood. Now that I think about it moisture content is not mentioned on a lot of sites that sell instrument wood. This has come about because I saw some nice figured maple for sale that said it had 10% moisture content (kiln dried). This is thick enough to make a telecaster style electric that I have contemplated for a friend. I just don’t really know what the effect of 10% would be if any.

Thanks as always.

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

It will seek equilibrium to the environment it's in.
10% would be about right for a RH of about 55%-60% according to a chart in Hoadlys' Understanding Wood book.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

a solid maple tele would be awfully heavy. perhaps a drop top would be more practical?