Luthier's special at Hibdon Hardwoods

[Dave Bagwill]

Back and side set with matching fretboard!

http://www.hibdonhardwood.com/collectio ... ersspecial

Non-porous, easy to work, great tap tone. The 'manzer wedge' that I'm finishing up is made from this wood.

[John Parchem]

I used it on a ukulele, I really like it.

[Jim Ebert]

I am currently building a dread using a set that I bought from Hibdon at the last GAL. It is beautiful wood. Quite a bit heaver than rosewood though. I can't wait to get it finished and compare it to the two rosewood dreads I am also currently building alongside it. I did have an issue with one of the back pieces splitting though. Every time I would just look at it, it wood develop a new split on the outside edge of the lower bout. I would stabilize it with CA and then I would look at it again and you guessed it, it would split again. Finally after I had the back glued together disaster struck and a piece broke clean off. I had picked it up by the sides and gave it a little flex, not enough that should break it normally though, and the piece came clean off. After saying some bad words that my dad had taught me I went to work. The repair came out really good. At first I was reluctant to use it and I called Hibdon to see what they would do. After talking to them for a while they reluctantly said I could ship it back to them and they would replace it. They said that it is wood and some times that happens. I understand that it had been a while since I had purchased it and that in their view I could be responsible for its failure, but as I explained to them the wood has been properly stored in a climate controlled wood storage closet and I did not believe that it was caused by what I had done. Anyway, after gluing the piece back on it seems to be stable now and I will be using it. My point is I think that Hibdon should at least had a better attitude in dealing with me. He seemed a bit irritated that I would call and ask how they handle that situation. I told him that I wanted to keep a good relationship with them because I do think that they have some nice woods and I would probably buy from them again, maybe even some more of this Granadillo. Anyway, sorry for my rant and here are some pictures.

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks for the pix and info; I've not had to speak with the Hibdon folks yet. Just to be safe, I won't look at the granadillo any more as I work on the guitar, though that might be difficult. :-)

[Jim Ebert]

Dave, I did not find the Granadillo hard to work with at all outside of the one piece which I think had a problem. It was easy to bend and is beautiful wood. I will no doubt work with it again. It does seem to be solid now otherwise I would not have continued with it and I would have sent it back to Hibdon. I really think it will make a great sounding guitar.
Jim