Official Luthiers Forum!

Now that I'm nearing the end of my 1st build (that is, first one with no help) I'm planning to order a kit from LMI's Kit Wizard and I'm trying to decide on Granadillo or Palo Escrito for back and sides.

Both look pretty nice. 

The Granadillo appeals to me because I'd like some sap wood, no (or small) pores, dense, and looks pretty.  But, some folks have said that it is immune to sand paper and that scares me....

The Palo Escrito also looks nice.  I like figuring, it sounds like it's less dense and easier to sand...  But, it has pores, is less dense and sounds like maybe its more for a flamingo style guitar.  I want to build an OM for finger style...

Any suggestions or thoughts...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Hi Steve,

My first big wood purchase from LMI included Granadillo & Palo Escrito. The Granadillo DOES have pores, and it DOES sand. I built 1 Grenadillo out of 2 sets. I have 2 sets of Palo Escrito. I think it bothers my respiratory system. I havn't built with it yet. Here's Palo Escrito:

Below is Granadillo with sapwood:

The Granadillo finished with more reddish brick color. Check out the guitar I made with it...

Here's a link to a previous post when I finished the Grenadillo guitar: http://luthiersforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3253& KW=terry+stowell+grenadillo#forumTop

Terry,
You do beautiful work... and the Granadillo DOES look nice...  I remember that you said that Palo Escrito seemed to be an irritant.   Have you had any issues with the oils from coccobollo staining your top when the sanded dust gets on it?  I seemed to have that problem with a coccobollo rosette...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

My vote is for Granadillo. Paulo Escrito just reminds me of some very cheap paneling that I used to have in my bachelor pad many moons ago. It is a decent tonewood but Granadillo would be my first choice.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Granadillo any day i love the stuff and imho it a highly undrrated guitar
wood.

Joel.

I like the greanadillo best too. Does a lot of Palo look like that? Or does it have a lot of variety?

Sorry for the time warp Tim

[QUOTE=sdsollod]Terry,
You do beautiful work... and the Granadillo DOES look nice...  I remember that you said that Palo Escrito seemed to be an irritant.   Have you had any issues with the oils from coccobollo staining your top when the sanded dust gets on it?  I seemed to have that problem with a coccobollo rosette...
[/QUOTE]

Thanks Steve. Just seal the top before you handle it, esp. before sanding sides, rosette, fingerboard etc. Seal the rosette trough before installing the rosette too. Use sanding sealer, shellac, etc. And yes, the top will get stained from many woods. Stains cit's an be sanded out, but best to seal the top so it won't accept foreign material

Palo Escrito is a fantastic tonewood. I have built with it and highly recommend it. LMI has some spectacular sets if you ask for it.

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

Hey Peter, care ot post any pix if you have any?

I have not built with either but for those who have Steve might want to hear how they bend?

I have some pics somewhere... a while ago I posted that guitar in the forum, maybe its still in the archives?

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

Yep, I knew it was somewhere!

Palo Escrito Link

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