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After reading Brad Goodman's post on the 4 piece macassar ebony back which by the way was a great looking job I was wondering how many of you think that this is a viable option? A lot of nice wood passes by because of narrow widths. If a wood is not listed that you would consider please list it in your post.

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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Bob, I think Ziricote would be a good candidate as well. I have heard that some folks are already selling Ziricote sets with 4 piece backs.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

As long as you look carefully at the gain of the wood, I think that any wood could be made into an attractive four piece back. I would use the technique for expensive woods such as brazillian rosewood. You could capture much of the beauty and all of the sound of Brazillian withouth having to tack on a $1000 upcharge. I suspect there are a lot of potential buyers who would make that trade off.

I think 4 piece backs are ok -- You really can't get the Madagascar Rosewood in the higher grades (that I have been able to find anyway...) in anything but 4 piece backs. I think it looks great.

For really nice sets I would not hesitate.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Mike I forgot ziricote but your right that would be another good choice.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Bob,

I think there would be plenty of interest in a 4 piece back. I would be interested for sure. Might bring the price down far enough to try Brazilian rosewood or African blackwood.

Jeff

One thing I thought I might mention. The narrower boards usually are not much cheaper to buy plus there is the added work of joining and gluing them into two piece backs like Brad has done. Hard to find wood usually carries a premium price from the suppliers.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I have seen some stunning four piece backs. One of my favorites was a set that was wedge shaped book matched curly maple mid panels and some drop dead really spider webbed Brazilian rosewood outer panels. I can’t remember who built it off the top of my head. But I recall the write-up stating that the luthier found the rosewood at a mill but the usable width was only 4 ?”. If I remember correctly he built two identical. One OM-14 fret and one 000-12 fret. My point is that using two smallish panels form two different species is also an efficient use of otherwise non-viable planks. I am casting my vote on the pole for Brizilian olny because it is an efficient use of a dwendeling resource.MichaelP38463.4015740741

Here is a MAdagascar 4 piece back I built:

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

and another couple:

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

who would do the joining?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Bob, just curious why you feel you need to do the joining of the two plates to make it a two piece back. I know everyone does this but why? If the seller is forthright and sells it as a 4 piece back (some aren't) then I would think the builder could join all 4 pieces without much trouble. If that were the case, you could lower the price a bit I would think.

yeah I bought all the above guitars as 4 pieces.. well actually both the
maddy guitars I bought the lumber and cut it up but the african I bought
as a 4 piece back set...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I agree with Paul; I'm more than willing to do the joining myself, and I'd have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about using a 4-piece back. Also lets the builder decide what glue he or she prefers to use for the joint (it matters to some) and would seriously cut down on the labor involved for the supplier. I'd think you might be able to get slightly better quartered pieces with a 4-piece as well. Potentially, anyway.

Paul
I just thought it would be easier to sell that way but not a nescessity. Either way it would be clearly stated that it is a four piece back.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I like this. Lots of good feedback. Keep 'em coming. Mattia where are you now?

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Excellent, I'm glad to see four piece backs are a viable alternative. I've been toying with the idea of using some timber from the deserts of central Australia. These trees don't grow big enough to get a two piece back out of them, so that means four piece. My list of potential candidates has just grown enormously.

Acc'd to LMI, African Blackwood is nearly impossible to obtain in large pieces anymore. But the wood is so dark, the graining so subtle, it is a perfect candidate for the 4-piece back, oh Zootmeister.

So I voted for the A. Blackwood.

You gonna start carrying that?

Oh yes--John, those are real beauties! Is the top picture a 21" Dread?Steve Kinnaird38463.7814467593

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird]
Oh yes--John, those are real beauties! Is the top picture a 21" Dread?[/
QUOTE]

It is a slope D. Adirondack/MAddy. A CANNON. very powerful, yet
soulful guitar...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Steve I'm trying my best to get A. Blackwood

_________________
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

[QUOTE=Bobc] I like this. Lots of good feedback. Keep 'em coming. Mattia where are you now? [/QUOTE]

I'm sitting in front of a laptop at a friend's place in Fairfax, VA. I think I'll give Dave B a call, and see if I can sort out a little visit with Sylvan for sometime this coming week. Bachelor party to attend this weekend!

As for the Madagascar RW and, if I am not mistaken, Afr. Blackwood most of what you will find is 4 peice. I am certain about the Rio on this subject but not as certain about the African Blackwood.

I'm working on my second A. Blackwood guitar that uses a 2-piece back. Of course, the wood was purchased a while back-- 1998 I think. But this stuff is so dark, one could make an 8 piece back and no one would know. Until they looked through the soundhole at all the joint reinforcing strips.

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

There are plenty of historical examples of 3 & 4 piece backs by some great builders. It is just a matter of using the best that you can get and afford. There is nothing wrong is multi-piece backs as long as the grain/color matching is done well, it can be much better than BRW that is flatsawn and inferior quality.

I for one (as well as Colin) have done a 17 and more piece back...on a Lute that is

Hey guys anyone interested in some 4 piece BRW if the price is right? I wonder what customs would want for a paper trail on it.. I don't know if I could get any paperwork or anything for it.

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