Official Luthiers Forum!

[QUOTE=Terry Stowell] HANK! You've GOT to get a better picture! That's not funny in the least! Poor Form! Poor form! [/QUOTE]

Ok Terry...here's another try after some Photoshop work on the original photo. The smaller size cleaned up some of the "fuzz factor", but it's never going to be crisp and clear. Guess I'll need to get it back in the shop someday and take a clean photo. Stay tuned.....

Hank, where did you get that set?
Can mere mortals purchase such wood?
Legally?

That is sooooo nice!

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Man Hank, that is a crazy set of wood!

I was about to ask the same question about walnut crotch figure. I've seen it for other uses but never for a back set. Has anyone used crotch for a back set (that sounds a little off, doesn't it)? Is it stable?

Hi Hank. You're a good sport, I tell you! Thanks for the effort. I'm about to build a walnut guitar for a gift, and It's eastern walnut. I really love the drama of the Claro, but this set of black walnut has some figure to it.

I often think about you, and hope that God gives you direction with your life. New purposes are great opportunities. Take care, and keep sending some pics our way. We all love being inspired!

BTW - did the wood have stability issues? How old is it, and how's it doing where it's living?Terry Stowell38815.994837963

Yes Hank, to borrow Terry's expression, that's some dramatic figure and awesome wood!

Thanks for the kind words, y'all.
The wood was obtained locally (here in California)and was in my shop for about 4 years before I built with it (6 years ago). It had one of those really wild flamed redwood tops on it, but the person who originally owned it toured through Europe and the top took a real beating. As mentioned many times, the flamed redwood is best used on an instrument that is going to have a fairly anal owner...and I mean that in a complimentary way...that will see to it that the instrument is properly cared for and put away in a good case when not in use. Flamed redwood is not a good candidate for "road trip" usage.
Anyway, the guitar is now back in the states, with a new owner, about 10 miles from my shop. I retopped it with an LS redwood set about two years ago and it sounds better than the original! The walnut back/side set has not caused one iota of problem as to stability or strength and just looks luscious. I see the owner every 6 months or so and next time I'll try to get a sharp photo and revisit this post with a good, crisp photo raise your pulse rates.

Thank you very much Hank, i'll prepare my sunglasses for the shining pic!

Serge

Check out my current projects thread. I have pics of my crotch grain walnut dred.

Al