Spalted Alder Tops?

[VegasCustom]

Hey guys. About a year or so ago I bought a big slab out of a storage unit of spalted alder that looks BEAUTIFUL. The purpose was for a coffee table to sell. BUT.... I had a lot of issues getting it "professionally" flat until I bought a new machine. Now it is flat, but it's down to about 1 inch... thats not entirly thick enough for a coffee table anymore, it would require even more babying, and its not like its a guitar, its a coffee table...
Alternative idea popped in my head two days ago. Why just cut this down to size and get 12 tops for guitars/bases AT LEAST and potentially up to 24. From a value standpoint it could sell for more, maximizing value. It could be use as a unique addition to my own instruments because I NEVER see spalted alder out there.
Only posting because I need one other person to be like, "do that one" before I pull the trigger. Too windy today to work so off to see Dune. Have great weekend everyone!

 

[Beej]

Do it. I've sold some of my driftwood top sets locally on FB and craigslist.

 

[VegasCustom]

Its done. Im committed. To hell with coffee tables anyway, an amp works just fine for that purpose.

 

[Barticus]

Pictures man, pictures!
1” thick would make an awesome cap/top… is it pretty light weight?

 

[VegasCustom]

The entire slab is as light as a feather, even with epoxy in the majority of cavities

 

[mrperkolator]

Pics?

 

[VegasCustom]

A pic from when it had epoxy on the top

 

[Deleted member 271037]

A true coffee table bass! Do it!!!

 

[Beej]

If it's fully dried out, that could make a nice pile of bookmatched tops. I've also done them slipmatched (visually matched but not bookmatched) and they can look great. Assuming the person likes and wants spalted barfwood, as they aren't for everyone.

 

[VegasCustom]

Ok educate me here, never heard of Barfwood, What is that?

 

[Beej]

Ok educate me here, never heard of Barfwood, What is that?

Coined by @Freekmagnet and I can't stop laughing.

 

[VegasCustom]

Alright challenge accepted. Ill find someway to market that to my advantage.

 

[mrperkolator]

Alright challenge accepted. Ill find someway to market that to my advantage.

“…wood created as a byproduct of a wild party thrown by maiden fairies of exquisite beauty.”

why not make up something silly like a certain pickup manufacturer…

 

[ardgedee]

Ok educate me here, never heard of Barfwood, What is that?

Heh. I don't think I've heard the term before but I understood it immediately.

I can appreciate how expensive and rare spalted wood is, and how challenging it can be to work. At the same time I usually don't find the material appealing and results usually seem to be more of a the-journey-is-the-reward type thing for the builder's sake rather than the owner's.

There've been exceptions though.

 

[VegasCustom]

Yea I can see that. Working with it is FFFUUUNNN. I've learned so much. But in that process i've also spent so much and need to start coming up with random ways to maximize the woods selling value. My theory is that its easier to sell wood like this on a guitar because it would help it stand out and be more unique. A coffee table? Well, first you'd need a ton of other household features to make it not look tacky.

 

[Freekmagnet]

Coined by @Freekmagnet and I can't stop laughing.

Haha TBH, I’m pretty sure it was @Bruce Johnson who initially coined the term, “spalted barfwood.” I just sprinkle that gem around a little more generously; I’m a little less afraid of hurting the tender sensibilities of the barfwood crowd.

 

[Beej]

Haha TBH, I’m pretty sure it was @Bruce Johnson who initially coined the term, “spalted barfwood.” I just sprinkle that gem around a little more generously; I’m a little less afraid of hurting the tender sensibilities of the barfwood crowd.

True lovers of spalted barfwood should hopefully see it as a compliment.

 

[rojo412]

Me, I prefer my Barfwood burled. It's more alliterative that way.
Just rolls of the tongue.

 

[Beej]

Yeah, I've seen some beautifully burled barfwood basses built by budding bass builders, but barfwood burls bear buyer's bewilderment by breaching bountiful bankrolls.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

For clarification: The sub-species Barfwood generally applies to burled cuts of woods, such as Acer Vomitum, which is Burl Maple Barfwood. In Vomitum, the grain pattern resembles wood that has been barfed upon, and allowed to dry.

Spalted Barfwood, such as Acer Vomitum Dribbleus, has horizontal streaks in the grain, resembling wood that has been barfed upon and allowed to drain off.

Spalted Alder Barfwood is Alnus Vomitum Dribbleus.