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Some Flamed Myrtlewood I ordered from LMI just came in. It looks pretty good but it's not quite what I was expecting. I was expecting a more consistent color. I'm having kind of a hard time picturing this set in the finished product. Does anybody have any pictures of a guitar made from a similar set? Is it okay to wipe the wood with mineral spirits to get more of an idea of what it will look like under finish?

Oops, for got to post the pictures.

Colby -- I couldn't imagine you using that wood for a guitar. It looks terrible and probably worse under finish -- here check out this ho hum Breedlove

If you decide you don't want it just send the wood to me

Colby just google Flamed Myrtlewood Guitar -- you'll get plenty of hits!

Colby, you'll be happy with it. It looks cool under finish and makes a
great sounding guitar. Search for "Shane Barnard Psalms" on iTunes and
you'll hear a Breedlove Northwest (myrtle/cedar) used exclusively and
very up front in the mix.

Colby!!!!
That's a beautiful set!!!!!
Put the dark lines in the middle of the back!

Just use it and love it !!
Nice with Cocobolo bindings!!!!!!

www.collinsguitars.com

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Mike Collins

I agree it's pretty nice wood. Go ahead and put mineral spirits or alcohol on it to get a feel for what it would look like.
Sending it back is always an option just tell them what you really were hoping for. LMI is a really good company as I,m sure you know and will try to make you happy.
However I agree with Mike above, put the dark lines in the middle and you'll have a great looking guitar.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Is this more what you had in mind? I bought this recently on ebay and I'm really happy with what I got.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Less bling may mean quartersawn. If its nice and quarter, go for it!!

Colby, I think LMI sent you a fine set. And the fact that the two-tone effect is repeated in the sides is extra sweet. If you don't want it, and Anthony changes his mind, then send it to me!   

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

A set like that would make me VERY happy. Nice, straight grain. Beautiful contrasting colors. Cool figure (sort of in between curl and beeswing - I think there's a specific name for that kind of figure, but I forget what it is). Excellent match between the back and sides (unlike the set Ken shows above, which I would not like, for that reason). Certainly close enough to quartersawn for me; you can tell that just from the parallel and fairly tight growth ring lines on the face.

Yeah, wipe it with alcohol. If you don't love it, I'll get in line behind Anthony and Steve.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Thanks for all the input guys!

I really just wasn't expecting the dark area in the middle. I think it's starting to grow on me though.
btw, I got a redwood top from them for this guitar that looks super!

My 2-tone myrtle-backed baritone

Wow!! That is nice, good flame!

Colby, I was at Elderly a few years back and saw a Myrtlewood/Redwood Breedlove with Bloodwood bindings that knocked my socks off! Every since seeing that guitar I have promised my self id make on using that combo. Your set is sweet!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Colby, I like the set, especially with the contrast with the dark stripe.  Is that the "special high flame" grade from LMI? 

Here are a few pics of the ones I have.  I haven't built with them yet, but I am looking forward to it and hear great things about the wood.

This is my favorite set.  This pic is just out of the box....

Here it is again- I don't know what it was wiped with, but the color and figure sure stands out....

My last set.....

I think your set will look great - hope you keep us posted.

Laurie

 

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Colby,

In general Myrtle is one of the least consistent in terms of color and can range from very dark to very light all within the same board. That is part of the charm. The wood has alot of natural chatoyance (reflects light) and when the wood is finished it will look completely different than it does at the moment.

The key to building with it when the color differences are so different with large blocks of light next to large blocks of dark is to emphasize it in your design. Not just putting the dark strip on the back in the middle but also playing with whether to paut the dark on the sides against the top or toward the back, all depending on how you arrange the light and dark bands.

You will find that it is a great wood to work with...I like it alot and have grown to really like how inconsistent the color and pattern can be...

Laurie, it is the highest grade LMI offers. I like that second set you have there. I'm looking forward to seeing mine finished. I'm curious of how it's going to look.