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I've completed two identical guitars that I call a PJ (Petite Jumbo) made from Queensland Walnut and then using Australian Red Cedar as a top on one and Engelman Spruce on the other. Both guitars were built at the same time and built as identical as I could manage. The only notable differences with them are some minor cosmetic ones. Both tops braced up came in at 199 grams each.

I've been asked by many of you to post some sound clips of the two instruments so with the help of a mate in Townsville I've managed to get some of my instruments recorded. A very big thanks goes out to Alan Hamely (ozziebluesman) for playing and recording these sound clips for me. He did a top job on them, and I've very grateful.

Here are some links to the sound clips.

Australian Cedar Samples
Sample1
Sample2
Sample3
Sample4

Engelman Spruce Samples
Sample1
Sample2
Sample3
Sample4

And some pictures of the instruments.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
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Cairns, Australia

They are so close, if I hear any difference at all the cedar sounds a little more open, more overtones, but that could be because I'm expecting it. If I had to pick I would prefer the cedar.

Nice work, both are great sounding guitars.

Both look and sound very nice. Personally, I hear a complexity to the Spruce guitar that just lights it up. My favorite for sure. The Cedar, to me is more dark sounding, with a little less sparkle. Good job on both guitars. Thanks for sharing the clips. It's hard, sometimes to get that done. It takes longer than what it seems.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Both sound great, each in their own way. The cedar is a little richer in the bass right now. Let's hear what the spruce sounds like in 6 months after it's opened up.
Craig S.

Yuks!, but I could get you rid of both of them, AND the microphone, for FREE. I'll even pay the shipping!

The cedar looks wild! How many grain lines does it have? How does it compare to he average WRC? weight/stiffness...

I imagine they actually sound a little more different in real? From my experience comparing a spruce and a cedar guitar, the recording seemed to equalize things a bit.

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Build log

I call for a double blind study!! Put up both sets, in some order only you know, make sure you know what it is, and lets see who has a good acustic -ear!

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

Already did the blind test on the ANZLF. 2 people managed to pick the right guitar out of a choice of 3 guitars. I also put up a Mahogany - California Red Wood PJ as well.

Australian Cedar (toonis australis) is in no way related to Western Red Cedar. Different as chalk and cheese. The grain is very widely spaced, but the wood itself is really quite hard compared to typical top wood choices. More like mahogany if I was to compare it to something that you might be familiar with.

I showed these guitars at an arts an crafts market on the weekend, and the outright favorite for tone by about 1/2 dozen very good players that tried all my guitars was the Australian Cedar one. It's true that the Engelman Spruce will open up with time, and may develop into a better sounding instrument.

I did build a OOO Black Wood - Australian Cedar that I gave to a mate over a year ago now. He plays the daylights out of it every day. It's really opened up since I gave it to him, and he says the sound is still evolving. I think that I'll take this one out to him on the weekend and see how it compares.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

I agree w/ Marc that they are quite close, which says something about your building skills.
The cedar does it for me, though. A wee bit more music in that sound.

Congratulations on some fine instruments!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

The Cedar one sound more warmer at my ears.

I will add one more comment to the mix. Nice sounding guitars, both.

The spruce has a more focused sound, while the cedar is a little muddy. Sometimes muddy is good though, as it's very description seems to be bad. But a lot of people seem to like that sound, of a guitar played in a tile bathroom. more bass resonance. I think you are getting better articulation of notes with the engelmann.

Keep it up, good work.

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Ken