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Quick question in the 'idiotically simple' category: do folks here just tend to use all straight strips of abalone for top purfling, or the curved stuff?

I use pretty much all the staight stuff because you can cut the strips yourself.

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

Mattia...I've used straight Abalam for this but not yet pure abalone. The Abalam breaks nicely and is virtually undetectable. I use the curved pieces for the rosette.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I have done both, but after doing both I don't find a big time saving using curved because you still have to cut and edge miter if using real abalone and even with ablam you still have break into small pieces in the tight radius areas

I use straight Abalam strips form the channel with teflon strips, and then break the strips into the channel.

Russell

I prefer solid to ablam. I kind of enjoy the process of matching colors at
the end of each piece. With ablam you can easily sand through a layer
and
find you have lost the color match. I usually get some curved pieces, and
use some of them, but always find I have some left over, because they
really are not necessary. There are only a couple of spots where they fit
the curve exactly, and elsewhere they have to be broken just like the
straight pieces. I don't use teflon strips; I glue in the inner purfling, then
the abalone, then the outer purfling, then the binding. Works for me.Howard Klepper38603.5461805556

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I do what Russell exceept that I have switched from ablam back to solid. It has been my experience that you can get more vibrant colors if you are selective with solid pieces. I normally buy straight pieces because they are cheaper and they crack and self mitre nicely so fit well around curves. I do use the curved pieces for the rosette.

John

I never tried with solid, but now I know it is possible. I will try as I prefer the look as well.

I too use curved pieces for rossettes, I have seen it done with straight, but as the curve suits rosettes, it seems easier.

I use all straight as I cut my own. It is much cheaper that way. I use both abalam and solid. If done right you can't tell the difference. If I fear sanding through like on the side of a neck under the fingerboard I do solid. Tops and rosettes are straight.
john hall
blues creek guitars