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Topic: wood for a double neck steel |
Rick Hanzlik
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 20 May 2012 7:03 pm |
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I would like to build a double neck steel similar to a D8. I've look at a lot of different types of wood for the body but Most of them are more expensive then I care to buy. Since I will be using an enamel or lacquer finish, I'm wondering if i could laminate several layers of plywood together to get the thickness I want?
Anybody body have any suggestions on this? |
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Bill Brunt
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 20 May 2012 7:19 pm
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I have read good things about the use of Birch for solid body guitars. It is said to have attributes similar to Maple, but not as interesting to look at, and will not bring as good a price for a builder.
I have decided to go with Birch. After all, it would be a shame to destroy a good piece of Cocobola(gorgeous stuff) at 30.00 per board foot on my first wood working project:)
I plan to use two 1x8 pieces laminated, in order to get a two-tiered design. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 May 2012 10:14 pm
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If you are doing an opaque finish, then check around and see if you can find some 8/4 poplar. It is a good neutral tone wood, reasonably priced, and machines and finishes very well. At $2 - 3$ a board ft, a 10' long board that is 6" wide and 2" thick is 10 board ft, or $20 - $30.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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John Allison
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 21 May 2012 5:51 am
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Poplar, alder, birch, ash, sycamore, pecan, soft maple are all easily available woods (depending on your local supplier) and all can be had for around $5 a board foot - sometimes substantially less. You need about 3-4 board feet to build a double.
Wood is just about the cheapest part of a steel guitar project. No need to get caught up in saving a few bucks in raw materials and add extra labor to the process and compromise the outcome.
Don't use plywood. Just go find some decent wood. If you don't have a hardwood dealer near you, it's possible to buy something online from one that's relatively close and still not come out too badly.
_________________
John Allison
Allison Stringed Instruments
Austin, Texas
www.allisonguitars.com |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 21 May 2012 11:25 am
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| what john said!!! |
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Joseph Meditz
From:
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Posted 21 May 2012 7:37 pm
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| Rick Hanzlik wrote: |
| I'm wondering if i could laminate several layers of plywood together to get the thickness I want? |
Of course you can! If you have nice void free plywood you can finish it with shellac and leave the laminations visible. Exposed laminations sanded and finished are attractive and honest. As for tone, who's to say? It may sound fine. Just enjoy making it, and report the results. My guess is that you will be happy with it.
You can even get wood for free. There are lap steels made from discarded skate boards. And you can get wood from discarded shipping palettes. Plate glass is shipped in crate frames made of pine or fir. Sometimes they give that wood away.
Have fun!
Joe |
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