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My first post to this forum. First, brief introduction for members and then my question. My name is Rich Altieri. Got hooked nearly 5 years ago when I decided to build a guitar from a kit. Didn't have any wood working skills, no tool, no skills and no patience. But I used to have paid up credit cards and a few bucks available for a hobby. Today, I have all the tools (well nearly all), some skills - still less patience than needed and enough wood to last me a life time. I guess

I became addicted to the craft!!!!

I sell luthier items on ebay as a hobby seller (eBay id: luthiersupplies) which funds I use to BUY MORE STUFF!!! Also have a web site which I built myself (www.luthiersupplies.com)

Building has been very satisfying and I have recently completed my 19th guitar. Of course I am counting the several that I screwed up so badly in the process (those earlier projects) that they are hanging on my wall of shame.

A couple I have since cut in half so they would never ber associated with me, and a few I have are unfinished projects where I lost interest in completing them because of some flaw I did not want to deal with. Recently sold them on eBay to free up room in the office.

In my day job I am a business consultant working for a Fortune 200 company which causes me to travel a good amount of the time.

My wife sometimes complaines that when I am home, I go from my office to the workshop too often but after 33 years of marriage, four children and five gand children, she is used to my obsessive compulsive ways.

I justify my obsession with logic like "Hey, I could have become obsessed with Corvettes, Vintage Cars or expensive Motorcycles like others at my age". This calms here - but only for a while.

I have come to know some of you along the way like John Hall, Bob Cefalu, Walter Krialla, and Brock Poling (been awhile since we have talked but remember our discussions like yesterday) and I am sure many others that are here under some s. I am sure there are many others that I know by their eBay Buyer/Seller id or some strange name they use on the forum.

OK, Enough of the introductory stuff. Here is the question.

I have fallen in love with Snakewood. Used in on my last build. For my next project I have already accquired a Snakewood headstock veneer, fretboard, bridge blank and bindings. All of those items are near ready for use.

I plan to use an Adirondack Red Spruce soundboard whichj I also have on hand and ready to go.

Thinking of a 000 style guitar and I like a little base and good balanced sound, and as much volume as I can possibly get without going to a drad or jumbo.

What are your thoughts on wood selection for back and sides? Thinking a lighter colored wood that would accent the snakewood and make it the center of attention. My last build (same appointments) was Imbuya but it is a little dark and the snakewood looked good but didn't like jump out at you if you know what I mean. Considered Maple but not sure I like it for a 000.

So what do you think guys and gals?? Sycamore, Makore, Mahogany?????????

Thanks in advance for your help.luthiersupplies38619.4197453704

Cherry would be a nicely contrasting wood as would any of the woods you mentioned,
Oh and welcome to the forum.

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

Got to be Mahogany.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Hello Rich and welcome to the OLF! Don't be a stranger!

I'm thinking Mahogany, you can hardly go wrong with it sonicly speaking, and a lighter brown next to the bold figure found in snakewood would look superb!

Just My thoughts\
Again, welcome and make your self at home!
Lancek

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Hi Rich. I've bought a few things from you on eBay. Been a year or two though.

I have to agree with the mahogany suggestions as a sweet looking and sounding back and side set. If you are looking for something even lighter in color, maybe black acacia or koa would work too.

Whatever you pick, be sure to come back and share pics with us.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

To qualify my suggestion a bit further. As your going with the snakewood, FB, bridge etc, making this a pretty special guitar, I'd get hold of a great bit of flamed Cuban mahogany, The flaming would really make the snakewood stand out and the sound, oh,the sound.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

How Brave are you? Might I suggest Tulip or Paduke?

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Dave Bland

remember...

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

I know it sounds terrible, but koa and snakewood look really cool together.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

HI Rich
Welcome to the OLF my friend. I'm thinking mahogany too.
Cherry would also look great with snakewood. Why don't you pick out a few nice sets that you have in your stash and put the snakewood next to it to see how they look.

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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Hi Rich,
    Welcome to the OLF!! I am very happy you are on board with us. There are wonderful folks here on the OLF...just like you.
So it is fitting that you should be amongst the best group of Luthiers. You have been and still are a great friend. Many thanks for all your support with wonderful materials and considerations.
Have fun here and join in!!
Regards, Walter Kiralla

Gee, I like the sound of mahogany or koa against the snakewoood too. Or Black Acacia.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

American Sycamore?


I think it works well.

Hi Rich, and welcome. I like the cuban mahogany idea. Stunning wood.
And thanks for my recent purchase from you on e-bay. I absolutly love that set of wood.

How about sapele



Bruce Dickey has some nice stuff.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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Wow - fast responce from so many!! Really appreciate it. Thinking that I have some Mahogany on hand as well as some cherry - will take Bob C advise and do some matching this weekend. I do like the idea of the Koa though and might look into that Cuban Mah a couple recommended. Think I saw some of that up on eBay this week. Thanks again and welcome more ideas for sure.

I think curly cherry would provide you with a warm contrast, but have you considered MANGO? Now that is an interesting looking wood, and about the right color for your project too.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Welcome, Rich

I went to your website and nothing but text loads on Netscape, and only a couple of pictures on IE. Anyone else have a problem, or is it time for me to update my browser?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron, same thing here.

But then I use Mozilla (aka Netscape) and would rather use tin cans and a string than IE.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I have some figured cherry sets if you're intersted.
Steve

Hickory and a warm welcome to our humble home Rich...

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Checked it just now and seems to be working fine. Might be your browser

Tim, that is awesome. I like the contrast. Wne tinto the workshop tonight and found some nice Mahogany so I sanded the backs and sides and joined them. Will see how that looks. Think I am going with the Mahogany to get the low end of the sound I am looking for with the Adirondack top.

I also have some highly figured Cherry I bought some time ago but the figure is so wild it doesn;t seem to match on both halves of the back and sides. I might post a picture or two this weekend and see what you huys think of it. The right and left sides do not appear to have the same figure although the center does seem to match. Is this common with highly figured wood?

I just delivered one that had all snakewood (that I got from Bad Brad Goodman), I used EIR and Adirondack on the top and I think it looked great.







My one caution is to make sure that the piece for the bridge is STABLE and has no cracks, brad's piece was just about perfect but I left lots of meat on that bridge just in case because snakewood likes to move and split. The fingerboard has two carbon rods all the way down to the tongue to keep it flat.

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Well this changes my current thinking. Started to work on Mahogany back/side set but after looking at this, I will now switch to EIR for this build. Thanks so much for sharing. Absoutly stunning work!!!!!

Question, how did you make the rosette? Did you glue up some snakewood and then use a circle cutter to cut rosette or did you miter pieces? Would love to follow your approach here.

This is an area I am sure others would be very interested in if you are willing to share details and pictures. I am wrestling with this as it is pretty difficult (and expensive) to find snakewood wide enough to glue up and circle cut - and all the expensive waste!!!

Thanks again for sharing this build