Winter Build off 2018 - Walnut Free For All - Get Ready!

[BassHappy]

I never saw this coming from someone in the "walnut is not a tone wood" camp.

LOL @ Charlie...

Have no idea how I suddenly became part of a "camp" I don't even join the clubs much around here.

Yes, the luthiers I respect and grew up with don't seem to use walnut in their builds. Not sure exactly why - but I have always equated it with the candlestick holders and the coffee table I made in my high school shop class. It's the only wood I worked with in shop class and it became very pedestrian to me. Not into the Fender ash/alder thing much either. Much more of a mahogany/maple guy.

When Paul Reed Smith was making his first batch of guitars he was a huge fan of marimbas and the way they resonated at fixed frequencies. In those days many were constructed of Honduras Mahogany. He had access to a marimba, and before he started carving away - he would suspend the Honduras Mahogany body and neck blanks by eye hooks and hang them from the ceiling. He would then strike them with various marimba mallets, wood, glass, rubber, metal and if the wood didn't ring out loudly for at least 10 seconds it would go in the scrap pile and not be used. He would sell this wood to others. But the blanks that rang out properly and resonated fully - he would take notes on the frequencies they produced. As he shaped and carved them, he would re-suspend them over and over again - and re-check them for sustain and the notes/frequencies that they produced and vibrated at - and he noted the changes.

He documented all of this meticulously over the years. After lots of trial and error - he invented his own formula to insure that neck blank and body blanks vibrating at just the "right" frequencies were matched together. Say what you want about Paul and his basses over the years, but he now has the 3rd largest guitar company in the world - behind only Fender and Gibson. He absolutely did something right.

I will say - remembering those old walnut slabs in the barn opened my mind to the idea, for sure and for certain. And seeing some of the wonderful walnut builds here has been inspiring. I have always enjoyed seeing some of the Rob Allen walnut tops and the walnut scroll basses Bruce has been cranking out. Even some of the walnut Ricks appeal to me.

So there you have it.

 

[Jon Clegg]

LOL @ Charlie...

Have no idea how I suddenly became part of a "camp" I don't even join the clubs much around here.

Yes, the luthiers I respect and grew up with don't seem to use walnut in their builds. Not sure exactly why - but I have always equated it with the candlestick holders and the coffee table I made in my high school shop class. It's the only wood I worked with in shop class and it became very pedestrian to me. Not into the Fender ash/alder thing much either. Much more of a mahogany/maple guy.

When Paul Reed Smith was making his first batch of guitars he was a huge fan of marimbas and the way they resonated at fixed frequencies. In those days many were constructed of Honduras Mahogany. He had access to a marimba, and before he started carving away - he would suspend the Honduras Mahogany body and neck blanks by eye hooks and hang them from the ceiling. He would them strike them with various marimba mallets, wood, glass, rubber, metal and if the wood didn't ring out loudly for at least 10 seconds it would go in the scrap pile and not be used. He would sell this wood to others. But the blanks that rang out properly and resonated - he would take notes on the frequencies they produced. As he shaped and carved them, he would re-suspend them over and over again - and re-check them for sustain and the notes/frequencies that they produced - and he noted the changes.

He documented all of this meticulously over the years. After lots of trial and error - he invented his own formula to insure that neck blank and body blanks vibrating at just the "right" frequencies were matched together. Say what you want about Paul and his basses over the years, but he now has the 3rd largest guitar company in the world - behind only Fender and Gibson. He absolutely did something right.

I will say - remembering those old walnut slabs in the barn opened my mind to the idea, for sure and for certain. And seeing some of the wonderful walnut builds here has been inspiring. I have always enjoyed seeing some of the Rob Allen walnut tops and the walnut scroll basses Bruce has been cranking out. Even some of the walnut Ricks appeal to me.

So there you have it.

I gaze into my crystal ball and see a medium-scale walnut-glo Ric in your future.

 

[BassHappy]

I gaze into my crystal ball and see a medium-scale walnut-glo Ric in your future.

I think if I am going to do a walnut Rick it will be based on this. Apologies in advance for the quick and cheesy photoshop job on the fake woodgrain pick guard elimination. This is already on the drawing board:

But I have been playing with the idea of a medium scale 4001 or 4004 too, but have not been thinking walnut:

Maybe I should though....

Thanks Jon

 

[Jon Clegg]

I think if I am going to do a walnut Rick it will be based on this. Apologies in advance for the quick and cheesy photoshop job on the fake woodgrain pick guard elimination. This is already on the drawing board:

View attachment 2764725

But I have been playing with the idea of a medium scale 4001 or 4004 too, but have not been thinking walnut:

View attachment 2764728

Maybe I should though....

Thanks Jon

All of those are delicious.

In other news, just spoke with my walnut connection. I just need to let him know what I need, and I'll have in in plenty of time.

 

[Rôckhewer]

Every time I see one of these....

This image from my childhood Sat. mornings pops into my head!... haha...

4

@Rôckhewer you could always use a figured wood top (not walnut) with a walnut core and walnut back with lots of fancy dancy veneers n' stuff between the layers. That would get you there...

I'm already thinking of doing something similar, like one of my driftwood tops and a walnut core with a walnut back. The possibilities are endless...

Sure... endless... I agree.
Thing is... I already have these cool figured walnuts bookmatches I wanted to use...
I just figured that if a body was visibly all walnut on the outside.... (front & back)... that it might fit the theme nicely, & a specific arbitrary percentage might be relaxed.
But... like I said....
Not trying to change any rules.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Every time I see one of these....
View attachment 2764741
This image from my childhood Sat. mornings pops into my head!... haha...
View attachment 2764742 4

Sure... endless... I agree.
Thing is... I already have these cool figured walnuts bookmatches I wanted to use...
I just figured that if a body was visibly all walnut on the outside.... (front & back)... that it might fit the theme nicely, & a specific arbitrary percentage might be relaxed.
But... like I said....
Not trying to change any rules.

I would opt for a 'visible percentage' measure personally, which would make a non-walnut-cored hippy sammich a viable option. My $0.02.

 

[Jon Clegg]

I'm curious about all this hesitation on making mostly walnut necks. Is it for an aesthetic reason? Or has the maple lobby gotten to everyone? I would think a walnut neck with maple stringers would not only be lovely but structurally sound too.

The inverse of this:

 

[RBS_Johnson]

I'd like to play, but I'll have to see about a couple things. I've been hoarding wood, but I don't have any walnut. And I'm nervous about trying to scratch build my first neck on a deadline.

Is there anything in the rules about having certain jobs done? Like building the neck, but having someone fret it as I don't have the tools myself yet?

 

[Scoops]

Every time I see one of these....
View attachment 2764741
This image from my childhood Sat. mornings pops into my head!... haha...
View attachment 2764742 4

Sure... endless... I agree.
Thing is... I already have these cool figured walnuts bookmatches I wanted to use...
I just figured that if a body was visibly all walnut on the outside.... (front & back)... that it might fit the theme nicely, & a specific arbitrary percentage might be relaxed.
But... like I said....
Not trying to change any rules.

I'd prefer to keep the percentages where we have them (65%)

Thanks

 

[Scoops]

I'd like to play, but I'll have to see about a couple things. I've been hoarding wood, but I don't have any walnut. And I'm nervous about trying to scratch build my first neck on a deadline.

Is there anything in the rules about having certain jobs done? Like building the neck, but having someone fret it as I don't have the tools myself yet?

The expectation here is simple. I think having someone assist you in your build is perfectly acceptable. As an example, I have people do paint for some of my builds. The important thing is to give credit where credit is due. If someone lends a hand, or you buy an OEM neck, please be sure to indicate that in your build.

Cheers

 

[RBS_Johnson]

I think I'm tentatively in. My wife has agreed to help with design and aesthetic considerations. I'll start working on a design, I've got something in mind...

-Jake

 

[ctmullins]

I'm definitely in, have several designs that have been lingering in my mind....

 

[Jon Clegg]

It's gonna be a party!

 

[Scoops]

I'm definitely in, have several designs that have been lingering in my mind....

If you are fueled by beer and coconut, I am sure you do!!!

 

[rojo412]

I'm definitely in. Walnut has become one of my favorite materials to work with, if only for the delightful smell!

Oddly enough, the reverse that I made of my last year's build has a mostly walnut neck:

It's a good neck material, for sure. The bass has stayed true for me and this neck is razor thin. The graphite rods and phenolic board certainly help with that, but still, I was impressed with the way it came together in a neck.

Time to start plotting!

 

[Rôckhewer]

I'd prefer to keep the percentages where we have them (65%)

Thanks

Ok Scoops... I get it. No problemo.
And if I am lucky enough to find time during the alloted time frame...I shall happily comply with the rules.

But... purely in the interest of comical irony....
The literal Websters definition of the title of the contest: Walnut "Free-for-All".... now seems a bit ,...well...

Definition of free-for-all
:a competition, dispute, or fight open to all comers and usually with no rules
:a chaotic situation resembling a free-for-all especially in lacking rules or structure.
......
Just messing with you. It's all good! (Don't change the title or anything)

 

[Jon Clegg]

I'm definitely in. Walnut has become one of my favorite materials to work with, if only for the delightful smell!

Oddly enough, the reverse that I made of my last year's build has a mostly walnut neck:

View attachment 2768434
View attachment 2768439 View attachment 2768440 View attachment 2768441

It's a good neck material, for sure. The bass has stayed true for me and this neck is razor thin. The graphite rods and phenolic board certainly help with that, but still, I was impressed with the way it came together in a neck.

Time to start plotting!

That's gorgeous.

 

[WardEarth]

People already trying to bend the rules! Walnut means Walnut.

 

[Rôckhewer]

People already trying to bend the rules! Walnut means Walnut.

Yup...that was me...trying to fudge walnut % points... rocking the boat. Causing trouble... being annoying.
Then came the snarky post just for fun... cause I suppose ...not all artists are fully "matured". (wasn't serious)
FWIW...I did subsequently retract & state my complete acquiescence to the rules as set forth. In sincere humility and respect for the contest and its promoter.
Let's play...

 

[rojo412]

Are we going by weight or surface area of the walnut?