New guitar...pending

[euge_o_rama]

I wasn't planning to post anything on this topic until there was something to post. Gary surprised me by moving at hyper speed and gave me reason to post earlier than expected.

My friend Gary has taken up guitar building. He's been pressing me to order an instrument from him for a little while. Well, I really didn't need and really hadn't

Comments

[calatrava]

Cocobolo is the finest wood, even if there were still an availability of Brazilian rosewood, I would prefer cocobolo, it's much better from all viewpoints.

[euge_o_rama]

Thank you for your affirmation, Angelo. The timber of cocobolo is oily, and so difficult to glue. However, it is beautiful and still easily available. It also makes excellent pegs; I have a ca. 1835 mandolin without machines that I just had re-pegged in cocobolo. Its hardness is excellent for the purpose, and its oiliness is almost self-lubricating.

I think the only thing Brazilian rosewood can claim is tradition. It was standard for so long, and guitarists raved so loudly about it and the "old days" as it became scarce that those without experience with other rosewood species believe Brazilian is the golden standard. Another problem with Brazilian rosewood is that its black-colored lines of figure are weak points that are prone to cracking in old age.

[calatrava]

I admit that Indian rosewood is not good looking, and of course Brazilian rosewood pleases eyes much more, but almost all the guitars with a Brazilian rosewood I owned have cracked, whilst the cocobolo guitar I had until some years ago didn't crack at all, it sounded better and it was also looking better, with its natural colors.

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[carlosbarientos]

$3500 later, I have a beautifully figured guitar with a Rosewood back and sides that is cracked everywhere. Cocobolo, doesn't crack? Sold

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[euge_o_rama]

Cocobolo, doesn't crack? Sold!

Well, I think the universal of "DOESN'T crack" might be a little too optimistic. I do think it is less prone to cracking.

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[carlosbarientos]

mmm... research is ongoing, maybe Poly has the right idea about maple, like a Jazz Fatgirl?

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[filialucis]

Further to the issue of cracking -- what type of wood it is is only half the story there. Some people say macassar is deadly for cracking, but I've had mine for 7 years now in an Alpine climate (read: central heating in winter, can't get humidity much over 40% even running a humidifier because it'll be condensing and running off the window panes in rivers if I do) and there's no trace of a crack. One needs to take a hard look at the way each individual luthier stores and ages his wood. The Gropps pride themselves on working with wood that's up to 80 years old and run a dehumidifier to keep their workshop at 40% humidity, which makes for very stable guitars.

I'm not at all sure yet about how Saara will hold up by comparison. Hoping for the best, but the issue of the fret ends is an indicator that her woods aren't as stable as what the Gropps build from.

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[euge_o_rama]

PS: I actually think instruments from the Godin shop (or whatever they call the factory; they produce at least five guitar brands there) are wholly workable factory instruments. Not quite for me, but a great value for those whom they fit.

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[carlosbarientos]

It has been a fun instrument, maybe i got as cherry... really nice... may want another...someday...

[euge_o_rama]

Yes indeed, east Indian may be the most likely to look terribly bland of the rosewoods. It does seem relatively stable structurally, perhaps because there is so little contrast in the figure.