The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 05-19-2011, 01:34 PM
Loki Loki is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 315
Default Douglas Fir for top wood?

I am working on the build spec for an instrument in the mando family by a well known UK luthier.

He has a small supply of very old, well seasoned and stable Douglas Fir.

This has been used on a few select instruments including a rather lovely custom build guitar.

The wood in question has very tight grain and beautiful cream and pink colouration which would complement the flamed maple body.

I like the idea of having 'local' wood incorporated in the build, aesthetically, emotionally and environmentally; but I can't help wondering if the great well of experience here has any knowledge on the use of Douglas Fir.

If anyone does I'd love to hear!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-19-2011, 01:56 PM
Larry Pattis's Avatar
Larry Pattis Larry Pattis is offline
Humanist
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oregon
Posts: 11,947
Default

I've played a few Doug Fir topped guitars built by A.J. Lucas of the UK, and they were each very, very nice guitars.

I wouldn't hesitate to commission an instrument from a builder that has some experience with this wood.
__________________
Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora
LarryPattis.com
American Guitar Masters
100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists

Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay
Classical guitars by Anders Sterner
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-19-2011, 01:58 PM
SteveS's Avatar
SteveS SteveS is offline
Me
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Monument, Colorado
Posts: 9,122
Default

I have not used it but I want to try it sometime. I have only heard good things about it. Assuming that it has been properly seasoned, I can't think of a reason not to use it if that's what you want.
__________________
“Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all.”
― G.K. Chesterton
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-19-2011, 02:06 PM
Clifton Clifton is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 322
Default

Can you only play Christmas music on that guitar?
__________________
2006 Martin OM-28V
2003 Martin 000-15S
2007 Reverend Buckshot
2004 Fender Classic 50's Telecaster
2011 Fender Blacktop Telecaster
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-19-2011, 02:07 PM
JCave JCave is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Zig Zag, Oregon
Posts: 2,131
Default

I live in the land of Douglas Fir trees. They're all around and are used for all types of work including furniture. The old growth tight ring material is gorgeous stuff. If it sounds like it looks, you'll really enjoy it.


For comparison: Doug Fir Tone Wood



Jerry
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-19-2011, 02:22 PM
Michael Watts Michael Watts is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London UK
Posts: 2,984
Default

If it's Stefan Sobell then go for it! I played a New World model with a Douglas fir top that was great. But that was, as always, due more to the maker than the materials...
__________________
www.michaelwattsguitar.com
Album Recording Diary
Skype Lessons
Luthier Stories
YouTube
iTunes
Instagram

Guitars by Jason Kostal, Strings by Elixir, Gefell Mics and a nail buffer.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-19-2011, 02:49 PM
Loki Loki is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 315
Default

The wood in question comes from a very old driftwood tree washed up on Fair Isle, so I suppose it has a bit of innate romance imbued in it.

The builder in question is Scottish luthier Jimmy Moon, who himself was originally from Arran, and the instrument in question is (approximately) a bozouki scale length cittern which will be deployed for both traddy and general use.

I am leaning towards the Douglas Fir.

If anyone knows of any just impediment speak now, or forever...

Also any more info opinions welcome! Thanks good people.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-19-2011, 05:03 PM
StringFive StringFive is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,673
Default

Hey JCave. A shout out from another Oregonian here. In Portland, but love Zig Zag. God's Country brother. Give a shout if you wish.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-19-2011, 05:19 PM
BBWW BBWW is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,070
Default

There has been a couple of threads on some of the builder forums lately, mostly very positive. If your builder has built with it and suggests it to you...and you think it's cool as well, I'd say go for it.

I love the idea of using saltwater drifted woods in a guitar myself.

Last edited by BBWW; 05-30-2011 at 12:56 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-19-2011, 10:37 PM
JRB JRB is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 638
Default

Yup, folks on luthier forums seem to like the stuff.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-19-2011, 10:46 PM
patticake's Avatar
patticake patticake is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,669
Default



Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifton View Post
Can you only play Christmas music on that guitar?
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-19-2011, 10:50 PM
JohnM JohnM is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,631
Default

We built a couple at McPherson. They sounded like spruce topped McPherson guitars. They weren't the prettiest to look at if you like wood that looks like poundcake though.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-19-2011, 11:01 PM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Earthly Paradise of Northern California
Posts: 6,627
Default

.............
__________________
"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest."
--Paul Simon
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-29-2011, 04:21 PM
SteveS's Avatar
SteveS SteveS is offline
Me
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Monument, Colorado
Posts: 9,122
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loki View Post
The wood in question comes from a very old driftwood tree washed up on Fair Isle, so I suppose it has a bit of innate romance imbued in it..........
Driftwood fir does not sound like a great choice for a top. If it was exposed to only salt water than it could be OK, but if it was exposed to fresh water, stay away. How could anyone know what drift wood was exposed to?
Why use something like that when there are so many other great choices?
__________________
“Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all.”
― G.K. Chesterton
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-29-2011, 05:07 PM
sachi sachi is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 3,189
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveS View Post
If it was exposed to only salt water than it could be OK, but if it was exposed to fresh water, stay away.
Why? How would that be different from sinker redwood taken from a river?
__________________
Sachi

Kolaya Carmen, Trek parlor (by Harv L), Martin 000-28EC, Taylor GC-5 and 355.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=