Official Luthiers Forum!

My toes are fine! You didn't step on them.


But I did gain some valuable knowledge...thanks.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I chaulked it up to a learning expierence, if anything, to do as much research as posible before attempting to work with an unfamiliar material. I was thinking about some kind of a spreadsheet showing the working characteristics of the different woods for the Jigs section or maybe the Online Section here on the OLF. A reference for the most common or uncommon woods used for luthiery. What'do ya think? Clinton

I use a bending iron, not a blanket, and I've always found ovangkol bends OK, even for the tight curves of a Tele-style horn. I didn't know it was supposed to be difficult - it's surprising what you can do when no-one's told you you can't do it!
LouisianaGrey39114.612962963

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Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

Clinton I really feel bad about your experience with Ovangol (Shedua) It can be very frustrating. The following thoughts are not directed to Clinton but to anyone having problems bending sides.
Ovankol is a fine tonewood. It is in the same family as bubinga another fine tonewood. There have been hundreds of guitars built with this wood. Peter's picture above demonstrates that it can be done. My suggestions to new builders that don't have a lot of experience bending sides would be to stay with the easier woods like EIR, Myrtle , Walnut, etc. until you gain experience and confidence in your bending procedure. If your not sure about a wood that your considering ask questions first. Whatever you do don't experiment on a wood that may be difficult to bend. It only leads to frustration and will cause people to shy away from wood that can be made into a great sounding guitar. Keep notes so that you can refer back to see what problems you may have encountered and corrective action taken. Please take this as constructive criticism as it is intended to be.
"The Zootman"

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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

Bob,you are a wise man. I take full responsibility for all the trouble I have bending this wood. Frustrating? Yes. However, I'm holding on to the last set until I gain more confidence,and knowledge. I didn't realize that I was bending a "difficult bending wood" at the time and the confidence I did have, came from ,what I know now, easier bending woods. In no way did I intend to cause others to shy away from this wood but I hope it did serve as a cautionary "heads up" to those less expierenced,like me, so they don't make the same mistakes I did. Hey, that's kind of what this forum is about. Clinton

Clinton with your perseverance and attitude I have no doubt that one day in the near future you will be offering advice on how to bend the more difficult woods.



PS: If you need another set of Ovankol sides let me know. They're yours for the asking.

_________________
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