Tell me about your Cedar over Walnut

[TheJackal]

I have another case of GAS. Help me cure it.

Do you have a Cedar over Walnut guitar? If so, will you tell me about it? Brand, model, tone, visual, etc.

I get these ideas from AGF that create an itch and I must scratch it. The latest one is thinking that a cedar topped walnut guitar might be a nice combination. Apparently, as I search the internet, this combination is not common. Is that an indication that this wood combination is rare, perhaps because it's not a good mix, or just rare because it's rare?

Thanks for any information you might offer.

[cliff_the_stiff]

It’s a very common and popular combination from Irish makers.
I had a lovely sounding Avalon Ard Ri with the set.
Lowden, McIlroy or Avalon are where I would start looking.

[seannx]

Do a google search for “Taylor cedar over walnut”
They have released some models over the years.

[zmf]

I'd give it a try. It's not as common a combination as others you can think of, but it makes me think of Lowdens. Can't speak exactly to the cedar, but I've had a custom redwood/walnut O23 for 15 years. Redwood is sometimes described as "cedar on steroids" -- maybe that's true -- if so, there's some commonality.

Lowdens, and Irish guitars in general, have their own tone, which makes tough to separate out the effects of tonewoods. But when I've compared cedar/rosewood Lowdens to cedar (or redwood)/walnut Lowdens, the rosewoods are dark and rich, while the walnut is light and "transparent" or airy. That's my interpretation of the contribution of walnut. Don't know how well this generalizes across different brands of guitars.

I've probably forgotten common guitar models that are cedar/walnut, but they seem to be custom variations on common models.

Here's a suspect generalization: if you prefer mahogany over rosewood, you're more likely to like walnut.

So maybe all this guessing cures your GAS?

[marciero]

I had a McIlroy in the 'aughts when I imagined re-imagining myself as a Celtic player. Nice guitar. Had a shimmering/chimey sort of tone. Also great for general fingerstyle and open tunings. Sold because... was playing other styles and not playing it much.

[Craig Wilson]

I'm getting ready to build one for myself in the style of a 00-28vs - 12 fret, short scale and slothead.


WR Cedar 00-28vs.jpgWalnut 00-28vs.jpg

[jazzereh]

A very timely thread and I'll watch this for any additional comments.

I'm about to have a build start very soon by a Luthier in the Vancouver area. Going to be cedar/walnut, 000, 12 fret and I'm really looking forward to having it.

[Nick84]

I’ve got a 12 fret Lowden S35 which is cedar over walnut. It’s a stunning guitar in both looks and sounds.

Lots of overtones and single notes seem to pop.

[JayBee1404]

My Lowden F-23 is the best-sounding of the Lowdens I’ve owned. Less ‘dark’ than my Cedar/EIR O-25, less ‘rude’ than my Cedar/Mahogany O-10. And the Red Cedar/Claro Walnut looks rather nice too…

0A36A6FA-985A-47AE-8CAF-13E915FF2CAB.jpg

088AFF31-7674-4BBF-961D-9DF4B78748A9.jpg

[RodB]

I have a McIlroy A25 Cedar / Walnut.



Plenty of overtones with a warm tone, responsive and especially clean resonant bass (more defined than my Spruce / EIR McIlroy A30).

This A25 is a keeper, but I would not want it as my only guitar. 'Horses for courses'. My 2 best spruce topped guitars each get more playing time.

Here is an example of how it sounds, no thumb or finger picks, just short nails: A25 example

[Coler]

Posted in error.

[TheJackal]

Originally Posted by RodB

I have a McIlroy A25 Cedar / Walnut.



Plenty of overtones with a warm tone, responsive and especially clean resonant bass (more defined than my Spruce / EIR McIlroy A30).

This A25 is a keeper, but I would not want it as my only guitar. 'Horses for courses'. My 2 best spruce topped guitars each get more playing time.

Here is an example of how it sounds, no thumb or finger picks, just short nails: A25 example

That guitar sounds as lovely as it looks. Beautiful instrument and lovely playing. I thank you for that. My wallet may disagree.

[TheJackal]

Originally Posted by zmf

So maybe all this guessing cures your GAS?

Thanks for the information. Sadly, there is no cure for GAS. Treat it and it returns shortly thereafter.

[aschroeder]

A good friend of mine used to have a walnut/cedar Lowden F50. It was a beautiful sounding guitar. Walnut tends to have an articulate and dry sound which may be preferred by many, but I always prefer guitars with rosewood back/sides due to the warm midrange tone.

Guitar tone is also very dependent on the builder of the guitar and body shape/size. Since you're going with a Cedar top I assume this will be used for fingerstyle or more gentle picking and strumming? I love the sound of a cedar top, but they aren't ideal for someone that strums hard and really digs into the guitar.

Guitar tone is so subjective, that you should go with what sounds best to your ears. Cedar has a very warm tone, so it would be a good choice to balance out the Walnut back/sides. If you're wanting a more warmth and balanced tone from your back/sides I would recommend a rosewood from the Dalbergia genus (East Indian, Cocobolo, Blackwood or less common Madagascar, Honduran)

[zmf]

Originally Posted by RodB

Talk about guitar porn. Curvaceous. Lying on a soft bed.