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Bob the Zootman donated this beautiful set of Figured Narra for the OLF Auctions! -



Thanks Bob!

Please PLACE YOUR BID IN THIS THREAD!
1.00 minimum bid increment.
Shipping & Insurance will be added to the final price.

Thanks!

LanceK38658.5096064815

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Can someone describe the tap tone of this wood? Similar to ? in workability and tone?

$25 to start things off...

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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."

Maybe Matt Mustapick could chime in? I know he has used it.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance just told me it sounds Just Like Brazilian...! Better bid while there's some left on the planet!

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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."

I have built 8 parlor guitars out of Narra. Narra is in the same family as Padauk and is sometimes marketed as golden padauk or golden rosewood. It is not a rosewood.

It is relatively light, easy to work and has a really nice tap tone...it is an underused wood but one I really like. If you have ever worked with Padauk it is the same in terms of stiffness and the Narra I used was figured similarly to the auction set and it bent on a Fox style bender with no problem. It is only slightly harder than cherry but has an open pore similar to Walnut and not as big a pore as Koa.

One thing that will knock you out is that when you sand or cut it, it is as sweet a smell as most rosewoods. No matter how nice the picture looks above, it is much nicer in person. The overall color of the wood is gold tones but there can be streaks of picks and reds in it as well. It catches the light as well as Koa so no matter what it will make a striking guitar.

I build classicals almost exclusively now so it is outside the classical norm but it is a really nice wood that is much easier to work than alot of other highly figured wood.

Narra is not imported as much as Padauk is but in most of its habitat it is not at risk. It is used in alot of asian furniture and I have seen it in tree plantations that had Padauk. It is usually separated by distance from the Padauk as being in the same family they will cross pollinate and Paduak is desirable as solid and dark as possible. Hybridized Pterocarpus (the family they are in) will range in color between very light looking more golden and less red to all Padauk which can be very deep red with some subspecies looking more golden brown in between.

The Sting Signature series #5 guitar that Martin had at the ASIA symposium, the sides and back were padauk with a mahogany toned finish. More builders are looking at alternative woods that are sustainably harvested such as Padauk and Narra.

By the way, I bid $60.00

[QUOTE=Don Williams] Lance just told me it sounds Just Like Brazilian...! Better bid while there's some left on the planet!

[/QUOTE]

And Don believed me! LanceK38651.6272800926

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Well Shawn is right on. It smells wonderfull when working it. One point I differ on is that it's light. The boards I have are anything but. Either that or my arms are getting old & weak. The color is gorgeous much like Koa but it is harder than Koa. Take a look here for a link to Matt's website and his comments on Narra. He just order a set.
http://www.rctonewoods.rcefaluguitars.com/narra.htm

Bobc38651.6295717593

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Make it $80

Just as there is a difference in Padauk species (African vs. Soloman "Andaman") there is also a couple different sub-species of Narra.

Padauk can also be lighter or heavier.

I have also had heavier more golden brown sets...I think it was from LMI that I got one similar set but not as nicely figured as Zootman's stash.

I'll up it to $100.00

I just want to clarify the info on Narra. Shawn has given a very informative description of Narra. While it is in the Padauk family it doesn't inherit some of the problems that Padauk presents. It bends very easily and as Shawn has stated the pores are very similar to walnut. After finish is applied it is truly outstanding.
So go ahead and BID!!!!!!!

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Beautiful set Bob. I have built with it and the smell is like cotton candy and the taptone is like Vermilion (Padouk) which is like a rosewood, more Brazilian than Indian.

$110

115

120

125

Russell
Is that 125 pounds? Getting too heavy for me.

No 125 USD, John

RussellR38652.8586921296

Here's more info about Narra after I googled.

After following that link this wood is even more appealing.. Looks great, apparently machines & bends well and exhibits a "fragrant, spicy, odor which persists even when dry " Think I might have to get some of this stuff in the near future.

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

$130.00 U.S. American dollars.

[QUOTE=Bobc] I just want to clarify the info on Narra. Shawn has given a very informative description of Narra. While it is in the Padauk family it doesn't inherit some of the problems that Padauk presents. It bends very easily and as Shawn has stated the pores are very similar to walnut. After finish is applied it is truly outstanding.
So go ahead and BID!!!!!!! [/QUOTE]

Bob, this wood is even in the same genus as Narra. Pterocarpus. This is one of those sustainable wood kind of things that looks great, sounds great, smells great, works great and is still obtainable. I am pleased that it is finally getting deserved attention.

However, you have all my money already. I'm broke.

AMERICAN dollars?!? We're not using Australian dollars?

John I agree completely except for having all your money.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I'll go 135.00

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755