Bog Oak - Is it any good?

[Michael Watts]

Hello everyone

I recently uploaded a video featuring a bog oak guitar (with a Euro spruce top) by the British luthier Jamie Swannell



Several people got in touch asking for more information about this cool and unusual wood so I made an accompanying introduction video which I hope you'll enjoy



So far all the bog oak guitars I have played have been from European luthiers but I have heard that the wood is steadily making its way into the stashes of some North American builders too. Very cool!

All the best

Michael

[JustMunkee]

One day I'll get a guitar that features some Fenland Bog Oak...

Mostly because I'm Fenland born and bred!

Even if it's only the fretboard, just for that connection.

[zmf]

Interesting. Thanks.

Makes me wonder how this wood is treated before a guitar is built. Is the entire log aged/dried to a certain point before cutting? What happens after cutting that might differ from air/kiln drying more conventional wood that is water logged? When do you know where along the scale of fossilization your log is?

This all reminds me of salvaging ancient wood ships and having to keep them moist -- allowing them to dry at an appropriate rate.

[hermithollow]

Thank you for the videos!
Bog oak, like other pieces of oak can make a fine sounding guitar in the hands of the right luthier.

[Glennwillow]

A very enjoyable pair of videos Michael! I always enjoy hearing you play, and I must say, that OM by Jamie Swannell sounded wonderful in your hands!

I have heard of some people building guitars from oak in the USA, but I have not heard of "bog oak." But the principle makes sense; I have read of guitars built from wood that has been submerged for long periods of time.

It's interesting that ship wrecks of wooden vessels seem to be preserved under water. Sunken steel hulled vessels don't last nearly as long because of corrosion. Maybe some day folks will try building guitars from ancient ship-wrecked hulls, some of which were made of oak or at least had oak frames for strength.

Well done Michael!

- Glenn

[jaan]

The guitars in the videos have a bit of a darker quality to the tone. To those who have tried any, Is this common to the wood, or is this just the voicing of this one?

[AcousticDreams]

As Usual Michael, Great Informational videos!

I think most all of us would enjoy the prospect of owning something that was made from material that is hundreds and hundreds of years old. It lends an added feature to our guitar by giving it a ..."Story". Who doesn't love a good story? While I choose Moonwood spruce for my Tops because of the sound, It is so enjoyable to tell the story of how it is harvested but Once a year.

With Bog Oak, it is even more enchanting of a story as minerals may be present in the woods cell, and certainly the wood internal structure has been changed from years of sitting in the bog. This is the Ultimate of Guitar Stories!
The tone of this guitar seems to be a combination of beautiful round tones with a hint of glassyness.

Nobody tells a Story, better than you Michael! Please Keep those videos coming.

[TRose]

Thanks for the videos, Michael Watts.
It’s always a pleasure to hear and watch you play.

I love the idea of wood being salvaged and used in instrument construction. In bog oaks case , the fact that it can be thousands of years old makes it even more intriguing.

Thanks again,
Tom

[Wrighty]

I would love to commission a guitar by an English luthier made in all English woods - listening to yours and Ben Walkers videos of the Swannell guitars I am enjoying them more the more I listen to them.

[Shadowfox]

Man, your playing is magical.

[nickv6]

I have a Lowden with bog oak bag and sides. It's the most amazing sounding guitar.
Nick

[M19]

George Lowden makes/has made Bog Oak B/S guitars for a number of years. Never played one myself. ...but Nick ^^^ has!...

[Malcolm Kindnes]

Originally Posted by M19

George Lowden makes/has made Bog Oak B/S guitars for a number of years. Never played one myself. ...but Nick ^^^ has!...

I played one last summer and it was very disappointing.

[The Bard Rocks]

How analogous is this to Ancient Kauri or Sinker Mahogany or Redwood? Or Sitka?

[Edbuff]

I have a Bog Oak guitar made by Rosie Heydenrich at Turnstone guitars. Rosies guitar has a more open sound than the one Michael is playing. We really cannot tell for sure but the sound difference could be the luthier, the recording equipment or a number of other things. Bog oak is very dense and has good sustain and not a lot of overtone.