Locust wood

[MEKer]

Is locust wood any good for tops?

[Hopkins]

I'm sure it would work, but from the pictures I have seen of it in a quick search. Its not all that interesting looking, so I guess I don't see the appeal of using it as a top wood.

[eddiemac]

I don't know the answer, but I think you should tell us if it's black or honey locust. From pictures I've seen, black locust is rather plain looking, heavy, and hard. Honey locust (not even related to black) would be a better candidate for top wood. It is also heavy and hard, but sometimes nicely figured.

[skeels]

I know locusts only from my profession as an arborist and I've often wondered about using it in Qatar construction myself. It is hard and heavy as mentioned which I believe would add a certain snap to tone if used as a top. It's almost too heavy though- the stuff is like concrete. As a laminate I think it would be great for added stability.

[sargebaker]

Black Locust is one of my favourite woods. Super hard, Super Dense, tonally not all that far from Brazilian. It's not particularly interesting, visually.

I like to use it for fretboards. I ebonize it with an iron oxide/high tannin solution. You can see here how it looks: The fretboard and headstock are the same wood!



...I bet you're referring to Honey Locust though.

[MEKer]

Thanks for the answers. Black or Honey--dunno the difference or that there WAS a difference. I had heard it was really hard wood. But you are right---I guess it is not "pretty" enough to be a top wood although a good suggestion that it would be good as a thin layer for rigidity or (as above) a dependable fretboard---but yes, it sure looks to be plain jane.