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I'm foragingfor wood for my 3rd, which at this point will be an L-00, 12 or 13-fret. Was just looking at some black walnut that the Zootman has. I built some banjo necks with it years ago. Loved working it and finishing was a treat. Any experiences with it as a tonewood? Can Bob, anybody compare its tone to more commonly used woods like maple, RW or mahogany? I'm hoping it leans towards mahogany. How does it bend? Thanks for any wisdom you might be willing to impart.burbank38757.6838541667

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I used Zootman's Walnut on a parlor and loved working with it. I pore filled with Zpozy which really enhanced the grain. The stuff bends quite easily and behaves well.

I used a Don Williams redwood top and the guitar sounds very mellow.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I`m using quite a bit of it lately. Bends like butter, works nice, looks gorgeous!

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

I have done a whole raft of guitars in European Walnut and a couple in American Walnut, they are similiar.

I'm sure someone will accuse me of flowery language, but for me Walnut is very transparent, meaning what ever the Top you couple with it produces.

It does provide the Sparkle and Clarity of Mahogany or the rich tone of a Rosewood, but none the less coupled with the Right Top, it will produce a very pure sounding guitar.

I love walnut (any kind) very forgiving, easy to work with, lovely scent and it bends like plastic

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

I just glued up a D35 style back for a parlor size steel string, and oh is it cute.... and handsome! I love walnut.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Just ordered from the Zootman. If it's good enough for all of you, it's certainly good enough for me.

BTW, RusselR, the language wasn't too flowery -- didn't sound like wine language.

Thanks, gentlemen!

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I'm finishing a black walnut dred right now. It is looking good. I used crotch grain for the back, and straight grain for the sides, and neck. Try it, you will like the results.

Al

let us see some pics when you're done!

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

Peter here is one in European I completed recently, this one has a redwood top.







This one is European Walnut rather than the american black walnut.

In my experience oregon black walnut is one of the best tonewood available (...available? bah, rare and superprized!!!), often challenging rosewoods; european spruce has been created to serve him.

Prosit - Luigi

Boy, she sure is a beauty!! What a gourgeous back/sides set!

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

What Luigi said! (except for the rare part... Shhhhhhhh!!!)

Cheers,
-Dave

Russell
That is incredable!!!!   

Yup, Russ, everytime you post that I start drooling.
Were it not that I feel solicitous for my keyboard, I'd say post that picture regularly.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Yep, once again Russell, she's a killer!

Serge

Russ,

Whoa! After ordering, I'm even happier now, though I won't have anything as nice as yours to show for it

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Russell that is one gorgeous set of walnut. Beautiful looking guitar.

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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

I used Black Walnut on my first build because the wood was free....it sounds amazing, truly one of the best I've played, so I say yeah!

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Gwaltney Guitars

[QUOTE=dgalas] What Luigi said! (except for the rare part... Shhhhhhhh!!!)

Cheers,
-Dave
[/QUOTE]

Aaaah,... we have to talk about this my friend

Luigi

[QUOTE=ggdelazzer]
Aaaah,... we have to talk about this my friend

Luigi[/QUOTE]

Indeed! I hear rumors you have good spruce...

-Dave

You hit the target Dave... flat or archtop?

Luigi