Myrtle spec for a few guitar shows

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Jamiejoon

My first response in terms of color is Ziricote - good contrast. However, if the Myrtle is from Oregon, maybe you should pair it with some nice Oregon Walnut. I believe that Fiddleback Woodshack has some nice Walnut from Oregon.

J

That piece of Claro I posted is possibly from Oregon is it not?

[Jamiejoon]

Possibly!

[j. Kinnaird]

Here it is paired with black walnut

What about this?

[Nemoman]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Thanks Nemoman. Stunning is exactly the look I’m shooting for.

Hey John--don't want to hijack your thread, but here's the look of the Bocote/Myrtlewood on my guitar...





That Black Walnut looks pretty schweeet too!

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Here it is paired with black walnut

What about this?

I like the black Walnut !

Just to throw a wrench... Port Orford Cedar top? All Oregon?

Have FUN

Paul

[Jamiejoon]

All Oregon! You can go with a Walnut neck too!

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Hey John--don't want to hijack your thread, but here's the look of the Bocote/Myrtlewood on my guitar...





That Black Walnut looks pretty schweeet too!

Very pretty guitar. I appreciate seeing what can be done. I do have some bicote around the shop somewhere, just gotta find it.

[j. Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

I like the black Walnut !

Just to throw a wrench... Port Orford Cedar top? All Oregon?

Have FUN

Paul

I thought you might like the BW. Seems like I remember using that on one of yours. I am not very good with Port Orford cedar. Ive made some of my worse guitars using that.

[Jamiejoon]

Western red cedar!

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by nacluth

I’m apologizing for this post up front, so skip if needed. You’re asking for an A/B answer and I’m giving thought process. Sorry.

Generally I see browns as tipping on a line between reds and greens. This has to do with how one of our eyes sees “warmer“ and the other “cooler” - like the old red/blue 3D glasses. Rosewoods and mahogany tend to be warmer (redder) and a lot of domestics tend to be cooler (greener).

My overall experience is that the public likes warmer browns in their guitar woods. There’s a balance of course. Get too red like padauk and it takes a special customer to “see” its value even if the all important tone is just as robust.

Oregon myrtle is on the line. It can be red-brown or green-brown. I see more green usually. Ziricote while very dark can be on the line too. Claro is almost always red, though black walnut is often green. It’s ok to pair up reds together or greens together, but it’s rarely good to my eye to pair a red with a green.

In your picture, the color balance is such that your myrtle and ziricote are both reds. If that’s the case to your eyes, I would match them, and I think you will have something more desirable to the public. If you have a couple people look at them with their eyes and say one is really on the green side and one is red, then I would look for a better match.

Sorry again for the long post. I drive Steve crazy with my anti-red/green bias. Thankfully I survived another Christmas.

I found this very interesting, especially from a rock guy! That is rock as in heavy structures making up the earth vs. Bon jovi.

[Bill Kraus]

I like it paired with the black walnut, I usually tend towards a bit less contrast

[Steve Kinnaird]

Here's one of ours sporting Bocote bindings, heel cap and neck stringer:

IMG_3308.jpg

[SJ VanSandt]

I like the black walnut. I usually do.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

I thought you might like the BW. Seems like I remember using that on one of yours. I am not very good with Port Orford cedar. Ive made some of my worse guitars using that.

In my estimation you have definitely made some KILLERS using Western Red Cedar!!! (Mine). Haha

So just go with that...

Cheers

Paul

[The Bard Rocks]

Have you thought of POC instead of regular cedar for the top? It has worked well for me.

For my money Myrtle (or maybe Maple) is the most outrageous North American wood. I've never seen it plain or boring. And have never seen 2 pieces alike.