Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Guys!

I'm thinking of using 3/8" by 3/8" bass wood. Is there a reason why this wood or size won't work for stickering?

Thanks, David

As long as it is not green I see no issue. I use 3/4 x 3/4 popular but i see no issue with basswood

If you want a balanced sound, you must sticker with equal parts basswood and treblewood.

Kidding...that would be fine...

I remember reading on archive, someone said it has to be particular size for proper air flow. Also how some wood can stain when use as sticker so I thought I'd ask you guys again.

Just teasing you, David. I don't think size of stickering materials matters. Another of our visitors, I think H. Klepper, says he does not sticker at all if the wood is dry and settled into the shop RH. I have piles of cherry, now in my shop, hundreds of board feet, never stickered ever, lived in a barn for decades outside, and it is straight as the day it was milled. Go figure. Some wood moves more than others, so it is a good idea if you are not sure it is going to be stable. Steve

I have used basswood for stickering and it works fine. No staining and remember that for something to have the potential to transmit it's color it needs to have some color. With this said Johny Winter and basswood would both make excellent stickers. Also, 3/8" is fine, I use 1/2" but you will be able to get more zoot in your stash this way.

Mario recommended the stuff available at most big box stores that the name escapes me but begins with a M and sound like Melony. It has a while plastic like coating.

That would be Melamine, a thin plastic resin sheeting used on counter tops, would it not? I read that Jose Oribe uses such to sticker his wood... I wonder if it provides adequate air flow, but it would be nice to save space in my tiny shop. I have been using cardboard drywall shims which are 1/16" thick. I have also used screen molding which is 1/4" which provides more air flow but makes the stacks much higher. I sticker anything that shows an inclination to warp, though some of my wood is perfectly content to lie perfectly flat and I just let it lay... I still have a lot to learn about managing my wood stash.

Yep Melamine is it - thanks!