5000 year old Bog Oak - Is it any good?

Michael Watts · #1 06-18-2019, 05:34 PM

This ancient wood has come to prominence in the past few years, particularly here in the UK where it's more readily accessible. You can read my thoughts on it here on my blog but to be honest I'm more interested in your opinion here. Have you played a Bog Oak guitar recently?

I spent part of last week at the Turnstone Guitars workshop and got the chance to explore another Ancient Oak guitar by Rosie Heydenrych. It's right here, let me know your thoughts!

All the best

MDW

Quake17 · #2 06-18-2019, 07:02 PM

Michael,

Outstanding playing, as always! I imagine you could coax some great sounds out of wet cardboard

I like the sound but have zero experience with any kind of oak, other than as furniture. It did not seem to be too laden with overtones, maybe akin to maple? A very talented builder, for sure.

joeld · #3 06-18-2019, 07:23 PM

That is a beautiful sound! I love the way the harmonics leak out of the notes. Does it flex and breathe as you play it? Somehow Oak makes me think of stiffness and inflexibility. Personally I'd have a spruce top on it for a bit more sparkle, but that's just my taste. The cedar warmth is delightful.

Michael Watts · #4 07-03-2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake17

Michael,

Outstanding playing, as always! I imagine you could coax some great sounds out of wet cardboard

I like the sound but have zero experience with any kind of oak, other than as furniture. It did not seem to be too laden with overtones, maybe akin to maple? A very talented builder, for sure.

That's very kind! However, it has to be in the guitar in the first place for me to find it! Rosie knows what she's doing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeld

That is a beautiful sound! I love the way the harmonics leak out of the notes. Does it flex and breathe as you play it? Somehow Oak makes me think of stiffness and inflexibility. Personally I'd have a spruce top on it for a bit more sparkle, but that's just my taste. The cedar warmth is delightful.

Well, it's a bigger instrument and yes, it does "breathe out" as the note blooms and the whole thing is a pretty exhilarating ride! Rosie does build with Spruce too, in fact she made this lovely small body in Cocobolo and Swiss Spruce which really impressed me!

All the best

MDW

Shadowfox · #5 07-03-2019, 12:03 PM

That guitar is stunning!

I know the Fretted Buffalo has this Avalon: https://reverb.com/item/9428705-bran...ncient-bog-oak

musicman1951 · #6 07-03-2019, 12:48 PM

The playing is pure Michael Watts - which is to say sensitive, stunning and simply beautiful. I don't know how much that influenced my opinion of the guitars, but they both sound wonderful. Nice balance across the guitar and sweet tone. I actually prefer the Cocobolo as it is warmer to my ear (and my ear likes that), but both guitars are very, very nice.

HFox · #7 07-03-2019, 12:53 PM

https://santacruzguitar.com/the-ghost-oak/
sorry looks like the audio has been taken down.

elstongunn · #8 07-03-2019, 04:39 PM

3000 BC was not a good year for oak.

I'd go for 4000 - 5000 BC bog oak or the newer 1000-2000 BC bog oak.

Dryfly · #9 07-03-2019, 05:06 PM

What are they?...on the oak.

CylinderBear · #10 07-03-2019, 06:11 PM

So that’s a tree around on earth for 5000 years and they decided to just chop it up for your guitar?

I beg to differ.

ALBD · #11 07-03-2019, 06:16 PM

Must..resist...ancient bog......oak

zmf · #12 07-03-2019, 06:22 PM

Michael -- Your playing is beautiful, as always. So I have to ask what you think is the contribution of the bog oak as opposed to the builder and the top wood, in addition to your fingers. Thanks.

ALBD · #13 07-03-2019, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CylinderBear

So that’s a tree around on earth for 5000 years and they decided to just chop it up for your guitar?

I beg to differ.

I don’t think that’s how it works....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Af-9F8i2K80

Wade Hampton · #14 07-03-2019, 06:48 PM

Asking about the tuning gears, Dryfly wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dryfly

What are they?...on the oak.

On the solid headstock guitar they’re Gotoh 510’s in one of Gotoh’s offbeat finish options; it might be their antique gold finish, but it looks a bit different. Gotoh is constantly trying out slightly different finishes but only offering them for a year or so.

whm

zmf · #15 07-03-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CylinderBear

So that’s a tree around on earth for 5000 years and they decided to just chop it up for your guitar?

Bog.
Bog Oak.
Peat bog.
Long dead tree.
No living thing was killed to produce the back and sides of the guitar.