Western Juniper for guitars?

[Jamiejoon]

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone has experience building with or playing with western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis). I found a source with very old, apparently very high quality wood big enough for guitars. Having been moved by these gorgeous old giants in the wilderness, I am curious about a juniper instrument (either top or back). Can juniper make a fine guitar, in your opinion?
Thanks, Jamie

[jim1960]

From the Tonewood Data Source website:
According to luthier Josh Humphrey, "The Juniper soundboard adds a unique tone- very clear and punchy notes, even and balanced with lots of bass and treble but not very muddy. ...The density (of the one I made) was very high, I would say higher than Spruce or Port Orford Cedar. In terms of density I found it to be more in line with Mahogany or Koa. Also, the stiffness, especially when compared to weight, was not as high as spruce- again, putting it more in line with Mahogany.

Tone-wise, the instrument is very fundamental focused and resonant. There is much clarity in the articulation or attack of notes- it almost has a sound reminiscent of an archtop in that regard- although it also compares with some Koa and Mahogany flat tops I have played.

Of course it smells great too!" The wood is very a striking combination of reds and yellows in wide stripes.
http://tonewooddatasource.weebly.com...tails-h-l.html

[Brad Goodman]

Is this the same wood as Aromatic red cedar?

[Jamiejoon]

No, I believe what is referred to as "aromatic red cedar" is actually Juniperus virginiana, or Eastern red cedar. Juniperus occidentalis is a much larger tree, that can get as big as 6-8 feet in diameter...after a thousand or two years of course. Eastern red cedar rarely gets more than a foot in diameter.

[Steve Kinnaird]

I have not had the pleasure of playing a Western Juniper guitar, but have seen a couple at a convention of the GAL. It does indeed make a visually striking guitar.
These I saw were back, sides and top all of WJ. Wow!

Steve

[Jamiejoon]

Steve,
I may just buy a couple sets of this juniper for back and sides, if inspection indicates that it is really special and is more dense than normal juniper (being ancient). Not my first priority for my next couple guitars, but someday...

I really appreciate your artistry with unique woods, so I appreciate you chiming in here.

Jamie

[Brad Goodman]

Originally Posted by Jamiejoon

No, I believe what is referred to as "aromatic red cedar" is actually Juniperus virginiana, or Eastern red cedar. Juniperus occidentalis is a much larger tree, that can get as big as 6-8 feet in diameter...after a thousand or two years of course. Eastern red cedar rarely gets more than a foot in diameter.

I found a board of " Eastern red cedar" at a lumber yard that was almost 2 feet wide X 2" thick X 12 feet long!
It was cut dead center of the tree so on either side of the pith there was a quarter sawn section with no knots that was around 8" wide trailing off at the edge.
The let me buy a 2 foot section which I resawed and got 8 sets out of.
Really pretty stuff seems like it will make a nice guitar.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Jamiejoon

Steve,
I may just buy a couple sets of this juniper for back and sides, if inspection indicates that it is really special and is more dense than normal juniper (being ancient). Not my first priority for my next couple guitars, but someday...

I really appreciate your artistry with unique woods, so I appreciate you chiming in here.

Jamie

Very kind of you to say, thank you. Yes, if you have the chance, buy a set or two. You won't be sorry. And then when you rue that decision, you can sell 'em to me for twice the price. (That's my business model it seems... )

Steve

[JHumphrey]

I used it for this Raga Guitar. The sound has opened up since I finished it over a year ago- initially it was somewhat 'thuddy' or dense sounding, but it has become much more clear and present. Nice rich clarity and when the sympathetic strings kick in the whole instrument takes on a nice resonance:

Raga guitar soundboard by josh humphrey, on Flickr

[Jamiejoon]

Very pretty Josh! Thanks for the feedback on the sound.

[JHumphrey]

Here is a recording if you want to hear the sound:

https://soundcloud.com/jbhguitars/ra...-josh-humphrey

[psychojohn]

Originally Posted by JHumphrey

Here is a recording if you want to hear the sound:

https://soundcloud.com/jbhguitars/ra...-josh-humphrey

Has sitar-like qualities to me !

John