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Distinctive Koa Multi-Piece Back Design
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=1386		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Pete Licis [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:43 am ]
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Hi Folks,

I recently received a gift from Hawaii - some nice Koa planks. But the Koa is too small for a two-piece back. A simple three-piece wedge design may work, but because the Koa is dramatically figured with bold stripes, I'm thinking it could end up looking horrible with all the mish-mash of curl and bold figure at all different angles.

I'd like to formulate a "resaw plan" before I cut it up in order to maximize my output.

Do any of you have any creative ideas to how to arrange a multi-piece back that would use the beauty of the Koa in a manner that wouldn't clash or otherwise detract from its natural beauty? A second type wood in addition to the koa? A non-wedge multi-piece? .... ??

Thanks,
Pete







(The second photo shows an end with a little shellac thrown on it).Pete Licis38429.6157175926
Author:  Brock Poling [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:58 am ]
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Wow... nice curl.

I am with you. I think 3 piece backs are not goiing to look right with this wood.

Author:  Wade Sylvester [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:03 am ]
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Pete,
How about you make a joined center wedge using the sapwood then surround it with matching side pieces.
Or,
The part you have marked looks good. Try flipping the left over up to join the sides. Sometimes if you use the same plank you can find a close seamless match. Either way you have a 4 piece back but the figure will be symmetrical.
Author:  Pwoolson [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:21 am ]
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Pete, here is a quice down and dirty pic of a 4 piece back. I just took the boards from below your drawing and flipped them up to make wings. I think it looks ok. Paul
Author:  Pete Licis [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:42 am ]
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Hmmmmm ... not bad, Paul!

Wade, I love sapwood and intend to keep as much as possible of it, but unfortunately, it's largely unsound on that board.

Good information for me to think. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks,
Pete
Author:  Dickey [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 8:30 am ]
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Pete, I had two broken sets of Indian and here is what I did to save them. Join the centers and taper a wedge, from full width on butt end to neck width or less at the other. Then I joined the remaining two halves.

That gives you bookmatch in the middle, and book match on the outside. The marquetry in this case elicits the look of a D35.
Author:  Terry Stowell [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:19 am ]
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I repaired a guitar once that had a nice 3 pc back, the middle wedge was tiger striped maple. I think the wings were (laminated) brazilian RW. I'll scrouge it up and post it if I can.
Author:  Tim McKnight [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:19 am ]
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If you decide to use a 3 piece wedge I like to bind the guitar with the same wood as the wedge to carry the theme on. You can also use the same wood in the rosette and headstock, heel cap and bottom wedge. I like to use cherry with ebony or maple themes.
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:44 am ]
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I like Paul's idea the best. I think you make make them look like 2pc' backs. Sometimes I cut a rabbit joint on the top of one edge and bottom of the opposite piece to give a larger gluing area. That Koa is too nice looking for a wedge.Bobc38429.8244560185
Author:  EricKeller [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:52 am ]
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I like the wedge better than wings. When I made that choice, I used wings. Maybe I'll take a pic and post it.
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:46 pm ]
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Well everyone's mileage will vary. IMHO "wings" if done properly can be nearly invisable. Doesn't LMI sell macassar in 4 piece backs?
Author:  Brock Poling [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:09 pm ]
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I don't know about macassar ebony, but certainly their madagascar rosewood is that way and you really have to look hard to know it is a 4 piece back.
Author:  Bobc [ Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:36 pm ]
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Oops. Your right Brock. That's what I meant but didn't type.
Author:  Dave Rector [ Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:33 am ]
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Isn't ziricote sold that way as well? With all the verticle stripes I think it is pretty easy to hide a joint in there.
Author:  Pete Licis [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 1:32 am ]
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THANKS FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS, FOLKS! Gotta love this place!

I played around in photoshop some more, and came up with a few ideas. In the photo below, I show one back "made" from each plank. Within each pair of photos, one is bookmatched center, with flitch matched wings, the other is a bookmatched center with "reverse bookmatched" wings. Whadda ya' think?



To me, the results don't look bad (especially at the low resolution of the photo), I just hope I can pull it off with the resolution of 20/20 vision. (Which I haven't had for ages!)

Thanks!
Author:  Dave Rector [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:23 am ]
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Personally, I'd pick the one on the bottom left. That's a nice look.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:12 am ]
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Personally I would use a wedge of contrasting wood Like a maple. If not I would say the lower left or upper left. I love the look of sap wood but I think I like the upper left the best
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