Official Luthiers Forum!

Has anyone used either of the woods for an accoustic? If so how are they to work with?

Barry Imbuia is a very nice wood to work with. Tonal proberties very similar to walnut. It bends rather easily. Makore also know as african cherry can cause alergic reactions. It is a very nice tonewood and finishes well. Both are available in a varity of figures.

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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

Hi Barry,

Your post caught my eye, because the last LINT meeting had a Makore guitar displayed. The builder is Matt Jacobs, who drove all the way down from Arkansas to attend the meeting. (Now, don't you feel embarrassed MP?)
Anyway, his Makore was an exceptional piece. Hope you will pardon the rather mediocre photography.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks Bob and Steve.I was hoping I would get some good report back. Both woods look like they would be nice but you never know till you try or ask someone who has. Steve I was at John's shop a couple of week ago and he was showing me a guitar he had made form some beautiful Sapele. He said it was tough to bend though. Does anybody have opinions about Sapele? I guess while I'm asking what about Bubinga?

That sure is a beautiful looking guitar. Do you remember what it was finished with? As far as Bubinga goes I have built several with it and realy like it. I had no problems with cracking( bend hot and slow) and with all the "new" crazy/wavey stuff that Bob C and others have for sale it realy can look pretty exotic. To me it is a bit bright.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Here is a picture of my Imbuya guitar. The wood came from Mr. Zoot

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hey John that looks awesome. Send me some pic's my friend.

_________________
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

This is one of the guitars I am finishing with oil varnish and buffed thru so tonight I hope to lightly sand it again and put on another maybe two coats and be done with it. I hope, we'll see.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Imbuya (particularly the stuff from Bob C) is a great wood to work with. Bends easier than anything I have worked with. Might have some minor holes to fill in, but those are also easy. I know it is, but doesn't seem that porus to me and fills easy. One issue, the smell. I thought my old partner from old cop days was going to get me, to me (and him) has distinct MJ odor. Bends easy, not roll to good though, so better for guitars and not good times

I Love the smell of Imbuyi.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Barry,
Since you bring up Bubinga:
I think Bubinga is a fantastic wood. I've made--perhaps--my most successful guitar out of Bubinga. I was plenty scared when taking the sides to the bender, but they bent like soft plastic. (I bend over that tear drop shaped electric bender.)
Please forgive the republication of this picture...it's the only one I've got. The set came from a plank from Gilmer, which my bro sliced up and gave to me for Christmas 2 years ago.It really is nice having a luthier for a brother!

Steve Kinnaird38563.0036111111

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Dave--

I believe it was good old nitro. But I'll go check....

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com