Alder useful as blocks?

[Dave Bagwill]

I've got a supply of Alder which was given to me. It taps well, however on the hardness scale it is just higher than Poplar, not as hard as cherry

I would think that a laminated block 1 1/2" thick would serve well as a headblock, just thought I'd run it past ya'll. Any thoughts?

[John Parchem]

For a block I am not sure how hard it needs to be. My guess is that it would be fine. I use plywood for the tail block. Alder is not hard nor stiff relative to its weight vs other wood we use. But I suspect we use mahogany for the heel block as it was traditionally part of the neck.

[Rick Milliken]

Just for grins, I compared it to willow (used in violin family blocks). Alder’s a little harder and “stronger” in most of the specs. Similar weight, specific gravity. I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. I’ve only used it a couple of times for odd projects and recall it being similar to birch.

[Dave Bagwill]

Good info, thx.