In the seventies I lived in Coos Bay Oregon, just up the coast a bit from Port Orford. I use to have a friend that worked for the forest service out of Port Orford/Bandon area and he would let me know when there was a blow down and we'd go down and buck it up. I was just learning how to build guitars in those days. I can still smell the cedar in my shop as I was cutting up tops. I played a mandolin a couple of years ago that used Myrtle wood for the back sides and neck with a Port Orford Cedar top and it was to die for. My shop is almost back together and as soon as I can find some Myrtle wood for the job, plan on building an F-5 with that same combination. Can't wait to smell the wood. I still have friends down there, and they told me years ago that Japan used to buy up most of the really good POC and they used the wood for Pagodas and temples. I know they used to use POC for the baffle seperations in vehicle batteries and for arrows because they were light and very strong.
Spruce, keep me posted if you find some chunks large enough for mando tops. Makes me drool just thinking about the aroma. Ken Cartwright
Cartwright's Music and Repair Shop
Cartwright's Music & Repair Shop
"I repair what others sell"
Stayton, Oregon
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