Hickory

[Kevin in California]

Dave, what size are your boards of Hickory?

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

8"x3/4"x6'

[TonyinNYC]

After some digging around, I found some experienced mandolin makers who opined against Hickory. (did you see that o-Pined? Get it? I never get high praise for my puns, probably because they are pretty awful. I can live with that :-))

But as the Tony states, or should have, it may be worth a try on a guitar. As the wood is free I might give it a try some of these days.

Dave,
When we are talking about what types of trees can make good guitars, I am not trying to be shady and avoid the topic. I am not a dumb ash you know. If you branch out from the poplar wood choices, I think yew will find a whole new world of wood choices. I just feel bad for the poor sap that tries to build with balsa. I feel they wood be barking up the wrong tree. I am not being rootless with my comments, am I?

[Rienk Ayers]

Hickory (or pecan) is an extremely hard, dense wood - like ebony.
Thus, it should also make good fretboards and bridges. Has anyone tried using it for these parts?
Since it is not dark like ebony or rosewood, it might have pushback from customers, but I like the idea of doing some things differently. But I'm also curious about whether it can be dyed or stained well.

If so, I will eventually try it out for inlays and such in fretboards and headstock.
Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Eric_K]

Hickory is hard, hard on tools and tough to work because the grain is rarely straight. It would probably make good fingerboards, bridges....
It would be an interesting challenge. Might make a great guitar if you can bend it.


Eric

[Dave Bagwill]

Since I make double sides out of two laminated .045" pieces, bending is never a problem, but I do hear your other concerns. Thanks.

[Rienk Ayers]

Since I make double sides out of two laminated .045" pieces, bending is never a problem, but I do hear your other concerns. Thanks.

Dave, are you slicing in half any pre-bought sides, or are doing this from billets?
I have a number of B&S sets that I would like to do that with (maybe backs as well), if others find it reltively simple to do.