Silky Oak Recycled guitar

martint · #1 11-25-2013, 08:02 AM

This build is made from a combinations of recycled (re-purposed) timber form a couple of sources. The back and sides are from an old Australian Silky Oak sideboard from about 1910 that was far beyond saving. It had been "restored" so badly several times and had ended up in a junk shop as just that, "junk". When I found it I realised that the top was two pieces that were perfectly quarter sawn and large enough to get the back and sides so I thought this would be a good experiment.

The neck is made from recycled cedar that was destined for some replacement fence palings. It had originally been in an industrial fitout in a warehouse and the guy that grabbed in when the building was being demolished found out that the building was built in the late 1800's.

The soundboard is Celery Top Pine which was given to me by a fellow lutiher to experiment with. He had a couple of billets and wanted a few different builds done to see how we felt it would perform.

The bracing on the top is some of the recycled cedar too.

The guitar is nice and responsive. The overall feel and sound of the guitar is good and it has started opening up after a day or so of playing. I hope to get some recordings done soon.

thomasfelty · #2 11-25-2013, 09:15 AM

Nice looking guitar. My partner and I are using Ash that as the been killed my the ash bore for some of our electric acoustic guitars. Some of the wood has wild figure and is quite striking.

JackStraw34 · #3 11-25-2013, 09:43 AM

Now these are the kind of post I really enjoy...thinking outside the box!!! Very very cool...

Haans · #4 11-25-2013, 09:54 AM

Really nice oak!
Hard to find stuff like that anymore...

SJ VanSandt · #5 11-25-2013, 09:59 AM

Very beautiful wood, transformed into a beautiful instrument!

random works · #6 11-25-2013, 10:19 AM

Nice looking guitar for sure. It is a one of a kind guitar with history built in.

I have often looked at old mahogany and oak furniture in one local shop and wished I had skill to build a guitar. Some of the pieces would most likely yield backs and sides for three or four guitars.

Bruce Sexauer · #7 11-25-2013, 10:44 AM

I have worked with silk oak, though not for instruments, and found it to be a very nice timber. Very fine grained, quite stable once dry, and it works pleasantly.

martint · #8 11-26-2013, 06:07 AM

Thanks everyone. I have a new recycled build on the go that is using a desk that was on a throw out pile. 1950's Tasmanian Oak. Will use that for the back and sides and I have an Australian Cedar top that was from an old shelf in a demolished house. I don't think it will be that pretty but I am really interested to see how it turns out. Will post some pics when I am a bit further in.

picassov7 · #9 11-26-2013, 06:38 AM

Cool stuff and nice looking Git!

I'm curious. What did you use for the bridge and fretboard?

martint · #10 11-26-2013, 06:50 AM

The bridge and Fretboard are Australian Mulga. It is a really nice hard wood and sands to a beautifully smooth finish. I use it regularly on my builds.

Clydeslide · #11 11-26-2013, 07:09 AM

That fretboard is beautiful! If I was in Oz and had the cash I'd have some replacement work for you.

ukejon · #12 11-28-2013, 07:16 AM

What a wonderful act of redemption for the old oak sideboard. Looks beautiful as a guitar.

kirkham13 · #13 11-28-2013, 09:24 AM

Silly Oak!

SJ VanSandt · #14 11-28-2013, 10:03 AM

How does it sound? I imagine oak to be similar to mahogany, but I really have no idea. Looking forward to the recording.

Blueshwk · #15 11-30-2013, 01:44 PM

I am liking the fret board! Good job!