Re: Thinking of getting a Northfield Big Mon and I have questions
Sitka vs Adirondack is a debate that has been hashed over many times, with no real resolution. There are so many variables when it comes to individual tops that is is close to impossible to make tonal generalizations about the two species. Spec wise, they are very similar in all the ways wood is measured for hardness, density, strength, and so on. The differences if any are small enough to be of little consequence. If you search the internet you will find impassioned advocates of both, discussing headroom, volume, how long it takes to open up, and so forth. Many of these discussions are about guitars though. And being personal perceptions, YMMV is an understatement. If you stick to the facts, here are some to consider:
1. During the 20’s, 30’s and ‘40’s, when many legendary instruments were made, Adirondack was used. But the reason for this was not tonal considerations but availability. Eastern factories had no easy access to Sitka, which grows mostly in Alaska.
2. As a result of focusing on using Adirondack, it was over-harvested to the brink of extinction. When large quantities of Sitka became available that took the pressure off of the harvesting of Adi.
3. As a result of the past over-harvesting, many of the Adirondack trees available now are younger, smaller trees than they used decades ago. When you can find ones big enough to use for tops, they are often wide grained, sometimes with only 4 or 5 grain lines per inch.
4. Sitka, on the other hand, is plentiful and lots of trees are still old growth, with very fine, straight, narrow grain.
5. There is often an up charge for a maker to use Adirondack rather than Sitka because of the addition difficulty in securing a usable piece of wood.
6. Many, many very fine instruments have been made using both types of wood. It would be fair to say that the skill of the instrument maker is at least as important if not more important than the choice of materials.
Food for thought.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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