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I'm about to start my first guitar... original design nylon string guitar. Well I've never seen a classical guitar with a redwood top, so I was wondering if there was any reason for it. I was actually thinking about using Sinker Redwood since I have a few sets laying around!!

Any pointers? should I do it?

Thanks!

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

Hesh, thats exactly what I'm trying to find out!!

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

Absolutely! Redwood, as well as cedar, is a "softer" wood than the spruces. As such, it will start moving with less string energy input than a spruce. That is one of the characteristics that gives it that "instant broken in" sound when used on a steel string, but also may limit it's "top end" capability...probably one of the major factors why you don't see a lot of bluegrass dreadnoughts with redwood tops! Of course, there is also "tradition" to deal with there, but that's for another thread.
But, in a fingerstyle instrument, classicals especially, that quicker uptake of string energy is a valuable plus. And since a nylon classical has less energy input across the entire playing spectrum, anything to capture as much as possible and turn it into sound is good.
So, go and build that redwood topped classical.

PS: Is that where you are going to use my slotted headstock jig???

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Hank Mauel

Peter
I have never built a guitar with redwood, and only one classical and that was with cedar. I do own a few
sets of redwood, I have owned them for 25 yrs or so.
The redwood I have, looks close to what you show
in your doubletop build. My deflection tests show
the stiffness is very close to engelmann spruce.
Should make a nice classical. I hope others here chime
in to guide you, I know little about classicals.

Tom

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http://www.moriciguitar.com

Here are some pictures of a redwood top with Peruvian walnut sides and back, mahogany neck, Macassar Ebony fretboard and ebony bridge.   You can tell the density of the grain from the rosette photo. The soundhole is 3 7/16". It has high tension Savarez cristal strings.

It is the first classical I have ever owned so I can not compare. I have never really liked the flat wide necks of classicals but I find myself picking this one up the most when learning new songs. I mostly fingerpick chords. I like it because it is small and lightweight. the strings are well balanced in volume from the treble to the bass. It sounds closer to a human voice than my steel string guitars.

Jose Oribe has made redwood topped classicals for decades. Redwood actually has better strength to weight ratios than cedar. I have had some sets of redwood included in batches of cedar soundboards that I have ordered. Sometimes the only way to identify it is by smell. In a blindfolded test, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference in sound between redwood and cedar.
I don't know about the sinker redwood, however. I am assuming that "sinker" means wood that was brought up from the bottom of rivers. My inclination is that it structurally different than conventionally harvested redwood, either by the fact that it was so dense that it sunk or chemical changes that happened while submerged.

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Stay with the happy people.
--Reynolds Large

Go for it, Peter. Redwood makes beautiful sounding , and looking, classicals. Here's one almost ready for FP:


Bubinga back/ribs; black walnut binding. The rosette is spalted maple from a downed tree on my client's family farm.

Best,

Jim

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James Warwick
J. Warwick Guitars, LLC
http://www.jwarwickguitars.com

Well, sounds to me redwood is a go!

I have a nice set of Sinker waiting for it!!

Thanks guys!

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

[QUOTE=peterm] I'm about to start my first guitar... original design nylon string guitar. Well I've never seen a classical guitar with a redwood top, so I was wondering if there was any reason for it. I was actually thinking about using Sinker Redwood since I have a few sets laying around!!

Any pointers? should I do it?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

Hi Peter,

My first classical was also built with Redwood. See the thread First Classical. It's much more forgiving to work with than Cedar. i.e. it doesn't dent just by looking at it.

It's lack of use seems to have something to do with tradition. I heard a story about one dealer who closed the case immediately upon viewing the "inferior" top. He wouldn't even play it!

Mine's 6 weeks old now and I'm shocked by how much it's opened up/settled in. Warm, but can be very loud. Also, the sustain goes on and on and on and...

Pete you have been given very good advise !
If the set you plan to use has -lite weight -is stiff across the grain and is not loaded with run out you are on your way to a great guitar !
how do you plan to brace it?
How thick will you make the top ?
Will you graduate the thickness?

What is your new design like ?

Mike CollinsMike Collins39037.6568865741

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Mike Collins

[QUOTE=Mike Collins] Pete you have been given very good advise !
If the set you plan to use has -lite weight -is stiff across the grain and is not loaded with run out you are on your way to a great guitar !
how do you plan to brace it?
How thick will you make the top ?
Will you graduate the thickness?

What is your new design like ?

Mike Collins[/QUOTE]

Thanks Mike, I'll have my shape ready in a few days, John Hall is making teh mold. Nothing too special... but I'll post some pics later.
I am working on a different bracing pattern and right now I am not sure, but I'm leaning towards an diagonal fan bracing style. I am now trying in on scrap to get an idea of its strength....

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

Warren, i know i congratulated you on that guitar but keep bringing it up, Man she's nice!

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Warren, i know i congratulated you on that guitar but keep bringing it up, Man she's nice![/QUOTE]

So when are you going to play it?

Warren

Not this week end cuz i'm working but we definitely gotta meet again my friend, ma fingers are dying to play this fine baby! PM me your availability Warren, we'll try to work somethin' out!