Results 1 to 25 of 25

Thread: Name that wood

  1. #1
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Name that wood

    Alright anyone have any idea what this wood is? It is a full 2x4 not the fake dimensions sold at box stores. The sawyer gave them to me to prop up the end of the Cherry I bought and was loading in the pickup. No discernible smell but really heavy. I almost want to say oak but it is just so heavy! It has been laying in my basement for four months easy. I just noticed it and think it is good for a project but as you probably figured out O have no idea what it is!Click image for larger version. 

Name:	A9D1BC3F-EA59-4261-9423-726B1AF83C73.jpg 
Views:	253 
Size:	313.0 KB 
ID:	196255Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1FC8F8D5-4138-41CD-BBFC-88DD29613D3F.jpg 
Views:	243 
Size:	387.7 KB 
ID:	196256Click image for larger version. 

Name:	A9D1BC3F-EA59-4261-9423-726B1AF83C73.jpg 
Views:	253 
Size:	313.0 KB 
ID:	196255Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1FC8F8D5-4138-41CD-BBFC-88DD29613D3F.jpg 
Views:	243 
Size:	387.7 KB 
ID:	196256
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  2. #2
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Beautiful Salem County, NJ
    Posts
    2,004

    Default Re: Name that wood

    No expert here, but I'll get the ball rolling. How about white ash?
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

  3. The following members say thank you to Bob Clark for this post:


  4. #3
    Registered User Ben Vierra's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Vancouver, Washington
    Posts
    81

    Default Re: Name that wood

    I can see that the wood is ring porous and light colored. That's certainly consistent with white ash, or other ashes. There are other ring porous woods out there, for example black locust, but I think Bob Clark has put his finger on the most likely candidate.

  5. The following members say thank you to Ben Vierra for this post:


  6. #4
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    15,863

    Default Re: Name that wood

    +1
    Looks like ash to me, and that agrees with it being heavy. Furthermore, these days of emerald ash borer infestations have sent many trees to the sawmill (and wood stove).

  7. The following members say thank you to sunburst for this post:


  8. #5
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: Name that wood

    I didn’t realize ash was that heavy! Very cool itnis a nice looking piece of wood. What do you mean by ring porous? Thanks guys!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  9. #6
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    2,758

    Default Re: Name that wood

    tonewood
    www.condino.com

    Crafted by hand in a workshop powered by the sun.

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to j. condino For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Maybe some sides but they are just 2”x4”. I might have to see if he has anything bigger.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  12. #8
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Ardnadam, Argyll, Scotland
    Posts
    2,280

    Default Re: Name that wood

    I used ash on one of my early instruments, about 15 years ago, John. Back and sides with a spruce top. I played it regularly then sold it to someone who heard it being played and liked the sound. As far as I know the instrument is still in use.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

    http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOldBores

  13. The following members say thank you to John Kelly for this post:


  14. #9
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London, UK.
    Posts
    817

    Default Re: Name that wood

    +1 for Ash. Looks like European Ash, with it's slightly more 'olive' grain.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  15. The following members say thank you to Dusepo for this post:


  16. #10
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: Name that wood


  17. The following members say thank you to Jacob for this post:


  18. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    184

    Default Re: Name that wood

    You could join a few sections of that ash. Fire up the bandsaw, and the next thing you know, you've got a Telecaster.

  19. The following members say thank you to Jonathan Ward for this post:


  20. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY, USA
    Posts
    1,249

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    What do you mean by ring porous? Thanks guys!
    Hardwoods can be divided into ring porous and diffuse porous. It is common to use the analogy of drinking straws for the grain of the wood with the open part of the straws being the pores. In ring porous wood the straws, and thus the pores, are lined up with the growth rings. In diffuse porous woods they are not. The pores in ring porous woulds are also frequently larger. Typical ring porous woods would include oak and ash. Woods like cherry, maple, and birch are diffuse porous. When using ring porous woods, it is common to use a grain filler to fill the pores before finishing. Otherwise it can be hard to get an even finish.

  21. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Nevin For This Useful Post:


  22. #13
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Yup, I'm no expert, but from my cabinet shop days I was going to guess Ash. Ash is a very nice hardwood for cabinet faceframes and veneers, and it also makes nice tables and chairs. Generally harder than cherry and of course mahogany, generally its hardness is more close to oak, walnut and maple.
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  23. The following members say thank you to dhergert for this post:


  24. #14
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: Name that wood

    When I picked it up my first guess was ash but it is so heavy I second guessed myself and wondered about white oak. Tele would be cool but an electric mando might be cooler!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  25. #15
    Registered User amowry's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Bend, OR
    Posts
    2,168

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Could also be hickory? That tends to be more dense than ash.

  26. The following members say thank you to amowry for this post:


  27. #16
    Registered User mtucker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Los Angeles CA
    Posts
    1,500

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Quote Originally Posted by j. condino View Post
    tonewood
    Yes agree, rather nice tonewood. I have a slab swamp ash tele that’s not light but not a beast either. It’s very resonant.

  28. The following members say thank you to mtucker for this post:


  29. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Lewiston NY
    Posts
    269

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Any chance of picture showing the end grain? I've done some woodworking projects (front porch rockers) and found white oak to be noticeably heavier than ash IMHO.
    But the grain looks a little more wavy than white oak. tough to make a call without seeing it in person. I'm sure that clears up nothing at all!
    Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.


    "Don't cloud the issue with facts!" Groucho Marx

  30. The following members say thank you to Bob Gnann for this post:


  31. #18
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DA194582-62F5-46AD-B397-77960F196C84.jpg 
Views:	106 
Size:	349.2 KB 
ID:	196264Click image for larger version. 

Name:	41CAF484-4F79-4468-95B5-D32831E8230A.jpg 
Views:	89 
Size:	440.3 KB 
ID:	196265Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F821AEE0-ECEE-47A7-A153-5CED0E9EE059.jpg 
Views:	88 
Size:	427.3 KB 
ID:	196266Here you go. Found another piece I think is the same. The discoloration may be from a floor mat they were sitting on.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  32. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Lewiston NY
    Posts
    269

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Seeing the end grain picture I'm inclined to think its not white oak. Just saying.
    Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.


    "Don't cloud the issue with facts!" Groucho Marx

  33. The following members say thank you to Bob Gnann for this post:


  34. #20
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Yea I have a board or to of 6x6 native oak from an industrial machine pallet. Looks different for sure.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  35. #21
    Registered User Ben Vierra's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Vancouver, Washington
    Posts
    81

    Default Re: Name that wood

    What Nevin said!

  36. The following members say thank you to Ben Vierra for this post:

    Nevin 

  37. #22
    Registered User Ben Vierra's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Vancouver, Washington
    Posts
    81

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Whoops, meant to reply with a quote to Nevin's explanation of ring porous versus diffuse porous woods.

  38. The following members say thank you to Ben Vierra for this post:


  39. #23
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    15,863

    Default Re: Name that wood

    It is not oak if the picture resolution is what it appears to be. Oak displays prominent ray fleck and end grain displays rays. It still looks like white ash to me; the grain, the color, the general appearance. I also don't think it is hickory, it just looks more like ash.
    By the way, according to the Wood Database white ash has a specific gravity of .55 to .67, shag bark hickory has a specific gravity of .64 to .80 and white oak has a specific gravity of .60 to .75. In other words, the density of all three can overlap.

  40. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to sunburst For This Useful Post:


  41. #24
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,102

    Default Re: Name that wood

    It's not Norwegian wood. That bird has flown.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

  42. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dave Greenspoon For This Useful Post:


  43. #25
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Northeastern South Carolina, west of North Carolina
    Posts
    15,346
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Name that wood

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Greenspoon View Post
    It's not Norwegian wood. That bird has flown.
    Well ... Actually, theoretically, it could be. Inasmuch as white ash (Fraxinus americana) is the likely candidate (if I'm reading correctly the assertions of those far better versed in this area than I), there is the possibility, however small, it could be European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), which, according to the wiki, is "native throughout mainland Europe east to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains, and the British Isles, which determine its western boundary. The northernmost location is in the Trondheimsfjord region of Norway. The species is widely cultivated and reportedly naturalised in New Zealand and in scattered locales in the United States and Canada." (Italicized for emphasis.) Just sayin' ...
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •