old maple anyone?

LouisF · #1 01-09-2009, 12:54 AM

We're not having much luck finding a satisfactory piece of old maple for the back of the Tyrol restoration (other thread here). Nick's rejected two pieces of "new" wood already.

Any church pews out there? Barn doors? Bridges?

He wants to carve a round back (smallish 3/4). We'd also look walnut, poplar, pear, chestnut and/or willow, I assume. I think (and I'm speculating here) that he's trying to match some quality in the orginal ribs/top etc that he just isn't getting in the pieces he's seen - and since he primarily makes violins, the pieces his own collection of woods are too small.

If you have or no of something please let me know or pm me with prices etc

Thanks very much

Louis

Jake deVilliers · #2 01-09-2009, 09:07 AM

Try Bruce at Orcas Island Tonewoods

LouisF · #3 01-09-2009, 10:33 AM

Thanks!

uptonbass · #4 01-09-2009, 01:41 PM

Hi Louis,

How old is old? What cut, grain pattern and figure are you looking for? For some insight; what were reasons behind the rejection of the other pieces?

Are you REALLY looking for maple, chances are you do want an acer BUT which one is the trick. "Looking for maple" to me is almost as vague as looking for wood.

Are you attempting to match the ribs, scroll etc? email me a pic.

Happy New Year my friend.

Gary

LouisF · #5 01-09-2009, 01:58 PM

Gary,

Thanks. I'll pass the questions on to Nick (I don't know nothin' 'bout birthing babies, Miz Scarlet)

Thanks alot -- and Happy New year.

Best,

Louis

RCWilliams · #6 01-10-2009, 07:08 AM

what are the issues for selection? if the origin of the wood is not an issue, you might check with the companies tat are pulling hardwoods off the bottom of lake superior and the like, then you could get some old growth wood that might be acceptable.

forester · #7 01-10-2009, 07:52 AM

"sinkers" were my first thought as well...if the selection is for texture than that would be the path to follow. i suspect a vintage appearence may be the criteria,but perhaps both. trouble is..even as i saw 425 yr. old w.oak it evident that it is fresh sawn and i believe the sinkers resaw the same. they do have some interesting color and stain though. still worth investigating.

Dr Rod · #8 01-10-2009, 09:58 AM

do you guys know a tonewood dealer that deals with sinkers?

LouisF · #9 01-10-2009, 11:35 AM

I'll pass on the sinker suggestion (does that sound Like I think it does??

), but Nick thinks he has a source coming to namm - that might have something. I think texture was a big issue.

More in a bit. Thank you all. We'll make you honorary bass godfathers!

Louis

forester · #10 01-10-2009, 11:59 AM

D.R google "sunken logs" it will be most likely easier to find a log dealer with tonewood than tonewood dealer with sinkers

Dr Rod · #11 01-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forester

D.R google "sunken logs" it will be most likely easier to find a log dealer with tonewood than tonewood dealer with sinkers

thanks, you may have a point

1st Bass · #12 01-10-2009, 05:41 PM

I think "timeless timber" or something similar was one of the outfits selling stuff they harvested from the bottom of the Great Lakes...but I have never heard anything from anyone having used the stuff.

Caoimhín · #13 01-10-2009, 10:15 PM

Excuse my ignorance but what exactly are sinkers?

Are they logs that are taken from lakes? If they are doesn't that mean that they would have to be dryed out for years yet to come before they would be workable??

1st Bass · #14 01-11-2009, 01:25 AM

Yep, that's a sinker, all right...

Saturated is saturated-- once they are pulled up and milled, evidently they dry just fine, and some people get very high prices for them. Strangely, I have yet to hear any reports of instruments made from the stuff...maybe it is great-- maybe it is lousy.

Dunno.

robobass · #15 01-11-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caoimhín

Excuse my ignorance but what exactly are sinkers?

Man, you guys are showing amazing restraint today!

Eli_Upright12 · #16 01-11-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Bass

Yep, that's a sinker, all right...

Saturated is saturated-- once they are pulled up and milled, evidently they dry just fine, and some people get very high prices for them. Strangely, I have yet to hear any reports of instruments made from the stuff...maybe it is great-- maybe it is lousy.

Dunno.

I've heard a couple acoustic guitars made from the stuff and they are phenomenal. Its been a while since Ive actually seen or heard one so I cant give a good description of tone, but I remember saying "wow!" when I head it. There's a place in town where they have a supply of that wood and makes these guitars maybe if I get a chance all go talk to them about it.

Dr Rod · #17 01-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Bass

Strangely, I have yet to hear any reports of instruments made from the stuff...

I think Al Jackstadt uses sinker wood, his basses sound great.

RCWilliams · #18 01-12-2009, 02:03 PM

there are those who actually soak their wood in mysterious solutions to enhance it's performance as a tone wood. I guess the idea is to get the sugars out ot the wood, and reduce the ammounts of resin and other things which require a long time to set up. we did some experomentation with that kind of thing with fiddles a few years back. much of this sort of stuff falls under the heading of violin voodoo

MollyKay · #19 01-12-2009, 07:35 PM

Timeless timber wood is popular in the bluegrass world. It is commonly used on banjo rims…

http://www.stellingbanjo.com/stelrim.htm