Search:

Type: Posts; User: John Arnold

Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 4

Search: Search took 0.01 seconds.

  1. Replies
    13
    Views
    842

    Re: Is this good for braces?

    The grading stamp has 'SPF' (spruce-pine-fir), which groups western species of similar strength. The spruce is Engelmann, the pine is lodgepole or other similar western pines, and the fir is white...
  2. Replies
    19
    Views
    4,822

    Re: Use of Oak in instruments?

    White oak is not as dense as most rosewoods. That perception of oak as overly heavy comes from furniture. It is only marginally denser than sugar maple (47 versus 44 pounds per cubic foot). When I...
  3. Replies
    8
    Views
    1,387

    Re: D-18 binding (NMC)

    Actually, celluloid shrinks more than Boltaron. The problem became much worse when Martin switched to a more environmentally friendly glue around 2003. It was not strong enough to resist the...
  4. Replies
    15
    Views
    2,414

    Re: Diluting Duco Cement

    The MSDS for Duco Plastic & Model Cement (blue tube) lists ethyl acetate, no acetone.

    https://ehslegacy.unr.edu/msdsfiles/36123.pdf
  5. Replies
    20
    Views
    2,503

    Re: Reviving old tortoise celluloid binding

    200 degrees F. is the magic temperature for reshaping celluloid safely. I have heard of the hot sand method since my early days, but I have primarily used a heat gun or boiling water.
    The smell...
  6. Replies
    20
    Views
    2,032

    Re: Carolina Quartet & Persimmon fittings

    It is in the same genus (Diospyros). Persimmon lumber is mostly composed of pale sapwood, but occasionally has some black that is essentially "American ebony".
  7. Replies
    18
    Views
    3,426

    Re: Spruce-different species

    With the caveat that there are a wide range of properties within each species, these are my observations of average samples:

    Low density and high stiffness are good.

    Density, low to high:...
  8. Replies
    34
    Views
    5,232

    Re: Martin D-18 Bridge plate issue

    This is my most recent spruce patch repair, on a 1945 D-28 with a long history in Folk/Bluegrass. The hole through the top was 1/4" bigger than the bridge, all the way around. Previous repair from...
  9. Replies
    16
    Views
    2,708

    Re: Mohawk lacquer

    I have used both the Mohawk classic instrument lacquer and their piano lacquer. The latter has a higher solids content but less plasticizer. That makes it more susceptible to cold checking. I do like...
  10. Replies
    34
    Views
    5,232

    Re: Martin D-18 Bridge plate issue

    That is the original Indian rosewood bridgeplate, which is 3 1/4" wide. Those began in 1969 on dreadnoughts. Indian rosewood turns out to be a poor choice for bridgeplates. Chips and cracks between...
  11. Replies
    8
    Views
    2,062

    Re: String compensation question

    For strings of the same diameter (or core diameter), higher tension requires less compensation. Tension change from fretting, which is the reason for different amounts of compensation, is the same...
  12. Replies
    18
    Views
    3,634

    Re: Indian Ebony

    I used Indian ebony a lot when I started building 40+ years ago. IMHO, it is at least as good as African ebony. BTW, it is a true ebony (Diospyros spp.).
  13. Replies
    16
    Views
    9,488

    Re: Saddle Fail

    Sharp inside corner = stress riser. I have not seen a saddle break anywhere else. When I make saddles for archtop instruments, I always radius the corner.
  14. Replies
    30
    Views
    12,990

    Re: torrified wood woes

    I have had some red spruce guitar tops torrefied, but I doubt that I will use them. Lighter and stiffer (good), but more brittle and harder to glue and finish (bad). I had not considered this:
  15. Replies
    17
    Views
    9,203

    Re: knot in top

    The proper term is pitch pocket. Pitch pockets can show up without warning during carving. The few times I have been made aware, I have replaced those tops for no charge. True knots in softwoods...
  16. Replies
    14
    Views
    6,433

    Re: curly maple wood description

    Grain count in diffuse porous hardwoods like maple does not seem to correlate with density, hardness, or stiffness.
  17. Replies
    108
    Views
    30,093

    Re: Mandolin neck repair: the final solution?

    The backstrap repair has worked every time for me.........even after multiple previous failed attempts.
  18. Replies
    22
    Views
    5,887

    Re: New Builders Help!

    Almost ten (October 2008).
  19. Replies
    24
    Views
    9,700

    Re: super glue stained spruce

    This happened on what I considered my most important commission....a 12-fret dreadnought in style 42 for Norman Blake. It was an Engelmann top, and we had discussed every detail, including toner on...
  20. Replies
    4
    Views
    2,067

    Re: Dye on Rosewood Headstock Veneer

    I think what you are seeing is natural in the wood. Some Indian RW is particularly susceptible to this.
  21. Replies
    15
    Views
    5,267

    Re: What’s this?

    I met Elmo many years ago at a luthier's convention. We talked about cutting red spruce. Sorry to hear he is deceased.

    The neck bolt should not loosen over time, but wood does shrink. A wave...
  22. Replies
    64
    Views
    13,738

    Re: Fossilized Mammoth Ivory

    IMHO:
    Mammoth ivory is not better than bone or elephant ivory. Some of it is very soft, and smells rotten. I would characterize the tone as a bit more mellow than bone, and not as loud. Pearl is...
  23. Replies
    64
    Views
    13,738

    Re: Fossilized Mammoth Ivory

    Real mammoth ivory is available from reputable sellers, and is easily identifiable. You are correct in that it is not fossilized, but it is mineralized.
    It is from extinct animals and is thousands...
  24. Replies
    30
    Views
    9,363

    Re: Late 1950's Gibson 160 E

    If you damage the brass inserts, I have extras I can send you. The slotted adjustment screws are not so easy to find, so be careful with those. I echo the recommendation of using penetrating oil to...
  25. Thread: Broadleaf

    by John Arnold
    Replies
    61
    Views
    13,267

    Re: Broadleaf

    It is interesting that this thread originated in March 2008. Ted Davis died in October of that year, and I started selling his wood collection the following February.
    Ted first acquired red spruce...
Results 1 to 25 of 434
Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 4