Finger board question

[Matt Liebenau]

I’m milling some blanks fingerboard blanks from Osage Orange that’s been laying around. Nice color. Hard and dense. Anyone have experience with it?

I think Jeremy AKA Freekmagnet used some on an instrument or two. Unfortunately he’s not on here regularly anymore. Definitely looks interesting.

 

[rudy4444]

I've used Osage Orange for a few instruments. It can be a bit temperamental as far as stability goes, sometimes taking on the form it wants to be after it's machined. The other negative of Osage is they it is extremely light reactive, so it often changes to a much more subdued figure and color after it is exposed to sunlight.

 

[Junkballer]

Thanks. The wood I have has been stickered for 7 years in my shop. It should be seasoned. I’ll sticker again after resawing and let it rest for a couple of weeks.

 

[Phil Mastro]

I've used Osage Orange for a few instruments. It can be a bit temperamental as far as stability goes, sometimes taking on the form it wants to be after it's machined.

I’ve never used it, but have heard similar stories. I believe someone told me it was the nicest looking firewood they’d used, or something to that effect.

 

[Junkballer]

I think if it is quartered and seasoned properly Osage Orange could be one of the better domestic candidates. From a purely mechanical standpoint, it’s closer to a “serious” fingerboard wood than walnut or cherry.

 

[Junkballer]

Osage Orange Is out! It does have a mind of its own. The wood I was working with is 15 years old 5/4, flat, 8” wide…I thought I had chance to do something with it. Made few cuts let it rest a while and it seem ok. But as soon as I took it down to around 3/8, it went crazy. I’ll build a few novelty boxes out of it.

 

[Dark Horse]

@Junkballer

I might be very interested in some of those boards - can you shoot me a message with prices and pics (shipped to Austin, TX) ? Would love to see if I can put together an order. I have a could other luthier friends here that might be interested as well.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[AK4570]

I'd be interested in a price list as well.

Many thanks!
John

 

[Turnaround]

What most folks who build instruments refer to as "tonewood" wouldn't normally be associated with good choices for fingerboards.

There is at least one luthier I know of that insists that tonewood in the neck is more important than the body, and that the tonewood of the fretboard is the largest contributor.

 

[Dark Horse]

There is at least one luthier I know of that insists that tonewood in the neck is more important than the body, and that the tonewood of the fretboard is the largest contributor.

I too am of the opinion that the neck woods and construction have more influence on the sound than the body wood. Not saying that body wood doesn’t matter, just saying that I find the neck matters quite a bit more overall.

Just my opinion.

 

[Turnaround]

I too am of the opinion that the neck woods and construction have more influence on the sound than the body wood. Not saying that body wood doesn’t matter, just saying that I find the neck matters quite a bit more overall.

Just my opinion.

I think that the body wood starts to take on more importance when it's a hollowbody instrument, and to a lesser extent when chambered.

 

[Dark Horse]

I think that the body wood starts to take on more importance when it's a hollowbody instrument, and to a lesser extent when chambered.

Me as well

 

[Junkballer]

Thanks all for the interest. I appreciate it. I’ll put something together. More pixs and other details.

 

[TomB]

There is at least one luthier I know of that insists that tonewood in the neck is more important than the body, and that the tonewood of the fretboard is the largest contributor.

The longer I do this the more true I think this is, at least the neck influence, at least with solid bodies, and to some extent the fingerboard as well. I also wonder about the joint between the two-would any tiny cavities there be sound-killers? I think this is especially true when it comes to a high-quality 5 or 6-string neck.