imbuyia, torrefied sitka steel string

RGPGuitars · #1 04-15-2018, 06:11 AM

a shape similar to a Martin 000, 15" lower bout. Lattice braced. Back glued on with flamed maple arts and crafts/mission style bowtie inlays. These will match the end graft and binding. the last piece of binding , removing the rope. The first coat of osmo poly x hard oil wax applied

printer2 · #2 04-15-2018, 07:39 AM

Does the addition of the lattice brace change the sound much or is it just structural?

RGPGuitars · #3 04-15-2018, 07:58 AM

I changed to lattice bracing on my last 5 steel strings. They have been consistently louder, better balanced with longer sustain. Also a hybrid lattice bracing system on my last nylon string guitars. (No carbon fibre epoxy overlay/underlay). Same result. Better volume, brighter trebles and sustain.
My thinking is that it gives a more stable ,yet light platform, reducing frequency cancellation by encouraging more up and down motion, reducing the front to back torquing and side to side motion. But that is theory only. Lol. To me the proof is in the sound. I am very happy with the voices of these guitars.
Russ Parker

cigarfan · #4 04-16-2018, 01:27 PM

Maybe it’s just me but that photo seems awfully small.

printer2 · #5 04-16-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Maybe it’s just me but that photo seems awfully small.

I squinted.

David Wren · #6 04-17-2018, 03:28 PM

Absolutely love the bowtie inlay motif ... that's going to look great!

RGPGuitars · #7 04-17-2018, 07:21 PM

Thanks Dave. Haven't done those for a couple of years on a guitar. But the wood grain was too nice for a back strip (I thought) , so I did this instead. They might be too small to see the flame/curl, but I think it will, work anyway.
I found a pic of the classical lattice brace from another guitar, not the one posted, but it's on my phone Aand I'm not sure how to get it uploaded to Imgur. Lol. Computer dud that I am. Russ. Btw, posted a few guitars for sale.

redir · #8 04-18-2018, 08:51 AM

I think the butterflies are pretty neat too. I also love Imbuia, one of my favorites.

RGPGuitars · #9 04-18-2018, 11:10 AM

Thanks, glad you like the bow ties. First time I've used Imbuyia. Seems to have
a nice tap tone. Sure is pretty. Haven't seen or heard a guitar with it before. Do you have any first hand experience with it on a guitar?

redir · #10 04-18-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGPGuitars

Thanks, glad you like the bow ties. First time I've used Imbuyia. Seems to have
a nice tap tone. Sure is pretty. Haven't seen or heard a guitar with it before. Do you have any first hand experience with it on a guitar?

I've probably built 20 guitars with Imbuia. I still can't make any claims as to it's tonal properties as I tend to focus on the tops anyway. One thing I do know though is that it varies very widely from ultra dense stuff to very light weight stuff. It also varies in color and I noticed that it correlates in the density. I have some pieces that look like dark chocolate and others that look like light suede leather. More so then any other wood I've ever worked with. I just so happens to score a stash of it in the 90's that I still have today, probably 50 more guitars worth. All reclaimed from floor boards so they are 4 piece backs.

Smells great when working it too

RGPGuitars · #11 04-18-2018, 02:44 PM

Yup. I liked the smell too. That's a lot of guitars for one type of wood that isn't common. And you got it for free. I'm jealous. Lol

redir · #12 04-19-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGPGuitars

Yup. I liked the smell too. That's a lot of guitars for one type of wood that isn't common. And you got it for free. I'm jealous. Lol

Some people don't like the 4 piece back though. But really it looks pretty cool and in some cases you can hardly even tell.

David Wren · #13 04-20-2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redir

Some people don't like the 4 piece back though. But really it looks pretty cool and in some cases you can hardly even tell.

I'm not sure why folks wouldn't like 4 piece backs ... Stradivarius used them ... and I know a high end classical builder who uses 4 piece tops regularly. Maybe a visual thing?

redir · #14 04-20-2018, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Wren

I'm not sure why folks wouldn't like 4 piece backs ... Stradivarius used them ... and I know a high end classical builder who uses 4 piece tops regularly. Maybe a visual thing?

People will argue about the tonal 'problems' with 4 piece backs too. The Internet has done lots of damage in that regard. A few months ago on another forum when Imbuia was being discussed a fellow luthier asked if I would sell him some which I was willing to do. He disregarded it due to it being 4-piece. So to each their own I guess and it is a bit more work to join up the back. It works for me.

David Wren · #15 04-21-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redir

People will argue about the tonal 'problems' with 4 piece backs too. The Internet has done lots of damage in that regard. A few months ago on another forum when Imbuia was being discussed a fellow luthier asked if I would sell him some which I was willing to do. He disregarded it due to it being 4-piece. So to each their own I guess and it is a bit more work to join up the back. It works for me.

At around the 3:00 mark, Romanillos talks about using 3,4 or even 5 piece tops and/or backs. It's only one man's opinion of course, but a man who is considered one of the best living luthiers currently