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Hey guys. I'm sad to say that my next update on my first build is a side that completely cracked while bringing it flush with the heel block. At any rate, while I could probably do another CA job on the crack, this one is big enough that I'm just not comfortable proceeding with this set. I'm wondering if anyone either has a set of some really affordable B/S wood or knows a source that does. I'm not looking for anything fancy and I'm certainly not looking for another set of cocobolo (mainly because of the price). Just about anything quarter sawn and structurally sound would work right now (looks or color aren't a real high priority at the moment). Anyway, I'd be willing to pay of course, I'm just looking to get through this first build right now.

Michael,
I dont know what part of the country youa re in, but my local woodcraft store has quite a selection of cocobolo. Matter of fact, they are running a sale on it right now for $18 per board foot. You could find a piece the size you need at your local woodcraft store if you have a way to resaw it. Perhaps they would resaw it for you for a small fee?

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Reguards,

Ken H

try walnut (not the fancy stuff though), or low grade ei rosewood, or if you're using a bender you could also buy some sapele. the sapele can be more finicky, but at about $40 a set it's not a huge risk.
a little over a year ago i was looking for advice after cracking a set of wenge. i believe it was lance or brock who reminded me that while one is in the beginning stages of learning this craft, the cost of splitting/cracking sides is called "tuition." it was a helpful reminder. granted, coco is slightly more expensive tuition.
phil

This is different. Its from Allied one of the sponsors. Inexpensive, easy to bend and nice looking.

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Wisdom is justified by her children

LMI has a lengthy backorder for their cheapest Walnut (around $35.00), but for about $20.00 more, you could get their next least expensive set. You might consider putting the coco back pieces aside for now and working with something like Walnut. Then later down the road you might run into some coco sides that you could use to complete a build with the back piece that you already have.

Best of luck!

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

Michael buddy I am sorry that the side completely cracked on you and I thought that it would...... If you recall only a very few of us said start with something else and some of saw a crease there which is usually not worth fixing......

I still think that one of the sponsors would be able to help you out with coco sides so you can use the back that you have. In my way of thinking you selected coco originally because you like it so why not proceed with it? Rarely are the sides and backs from the same board anyway so a general color match is all you really need. Perhaps try who you bought the set from first, tell them about the cracked side, and it is very possible that they may help you out for free.

I had some zoot that would cup when bent and I contacted the sponsor and he replaced the sides quickly, with an exact match, and for free too. It happens and although this is not the fault of the wood vendor all of the OLF sponsors are the best to deal with and I suspect that they will help you.

Lastly - use the cracked wood to practice more with your bending technique with no risk to you of damaging anything of value. This will help you experience more success with the new wood.

Well, thanks for all of the replies. I've already received a few offers and I've taken up an offer for some sapele from Bob at RCTonewoods. I realize that these things do happen so the most important thing is for me to learn a lesson from it and move on. I think I will take a step away from cocobolo for the rest of this build. I do really like the wood, but it just makes me sad when I screw up with such a beautiful piece of wood. I definitely will set the back aside for a future build and I do plan to return to using the wood once I gain a bit more experience. Also, I'm definitely going to do what I can to learn with the broken side in order to avoid any future mishaps. Anyway, thanks as always, guys.

- Michael Jin

Good show Michael! Uncle Bob was who helped me out too and this is yet another reason why he is very affectionately called the Zootman and/or Uncle Bob. RC Tonewoods Rocks!

I can relate to your problem. I'm on my first build and cracked my sides TWICE!!! and it was Mahogany! I thought Mahoganies are suppose to be one of the more stable and easier wood to work with, but I guess not in the hands of this newbie. I'm all good now. My mentor came to the rescue and I'm on my way with second set of mahogany.

My 2 point? Don't be sad and you're not alone.

David

That's a bummer, Michael. I'm glad you're moving forward, though. Can you describe your bending process?

Well, the annoying thing is that I actually did get through the bend. The wood cracked while I was trying to plane the side down flush to the end block... Perhaps I'm just doing something wrong, but I really did not see that one coming. I thought I was out of the woods somewhat after the bend, but I guess not.

Michael, did you have the sides in an outside mold or some sort of support?

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Aoibeann