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Oregon Myrtle Questions
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Author:  KenH [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:45 am ]
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I'm building a dread with flamed oregon myrtle. After sanding it to about 220, I notice that I dont see many, if any pores. Does this wood require pore filling?


Also, any suggestions on what binding to use on it? I has a somewhat green hue to the wood, but I dont know if this hue will last for long. I'm leaning toward rosewood bindings, but ebony looks good on it as well. would a lighter colored binding like maple look better?
Author:  KenH [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:54 am ]
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I know somebody is going to ask, so here is the picture. Beside the myrtle is a cherry dread as well.


Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:12 am ]
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Ken,
       Myrtle doesn't have a lot of open pores, but I still ended up filling it ( twice with Z-poxy ) before finishing with shellac , to get a glass like finish. I can't comment on a Nitro finish. It does appear to have a very light greenish hue on the lighter coloured areas.

I used fairly plain Rosewood bindings , so as to not compete with the sometimes outrageous Myrtle grain. I found Maple bindings to be a definite 'No Go " clash!



Author:  John How [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:11 am ]
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Myrtle is like a cross between Koa & Maple so it has pores but they're typically small. I think I did fill my myrtle guitar, probably with Z-poxy.
Author:  Rick Turner [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:12 am ]
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Yep, epoxy fill 'em.   Less finish coats that way.
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:20 am ]
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Ken - I'm finishing a myrtle drop top in nitro on a Tele right now. I concluded that there weren't many pores too, and went at it without filling. There is some sinking into the pores, though, and it took a number of coats to get to a first level sanded finish with no sinking. I'd put the epoxy on.

Jim

Author:  SteveCourtright [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:35 pm ]
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I am having the same debate right now, too and have settled on Cocobolo. What I have not decided is backstrip inlay or not? Most Myrtle backs are without.
Author:  S .Hlasnick [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:58 pm ]
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Kiwi,
That guitar is ridiculously beautiful. Great Job!-----Snick
Author:  KenH [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:42 pm ]
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Kiwi, I cant believe how pretty that thing is. well done!


Thanks for the feedback. I guess it will be rosewood bonding and z-poxy.

Author:  Sam Price [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:06 pm ]
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I'm currently working with some Oregon Myrtle- and had some trouble choosing binding wood- I had used rosewood on my previous two builds and wanted to try something else- so I'm trying curly Koa this time, as I have some b/w/koa/w/b binding I'd like to try with it.
Author:  CraigL [ Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:00 am ]
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I made a Myrtle guitar, used Indian Rosewood bindings, and did not pore fill. I did a French Polish on it, and couldn't be more pleased. Finish was very smooth and easy to do.
Love the stuff. It looks and sounds great!
Author:  crich [ Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:28 am ]
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I used the end grain saw dust and shellac. It filled the pores the first time. I also used a curly maple binding that everyone tends to love,even non-guitarist. I like to get their opinion also plus they never see my below par workmanship! Clinton
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