soundboard top

[Paul C]

I also have some wide cedar clapboards that are close tight grained. Am i just being ridiculoucs

[Bob Matthews]

I also have some wide cedar clapboards that are close tight grained. Am i just being ridiculoucs

Not if it's quarter sawn!

[Ron Belanger]

Also check for run-out.

[ken cierp]

You are going to put 80-150 hours in on this project. Spend $25 or so at a reputable supplier and get a "AA" appearance graded sound-board -- Don't buy a Top off Ebay -- many of those guys/gals cut up boards exactly like you are asking about. The sound board (brace material too) is the heart of the guitar don't go "Dollar Store" on those items. $.02

[peter havriluk]

Well, I just purchased a pair of Engelmann spruce soundboards (2 guitars' worth) from a wood vendor in British Colombia, 'fine woods', who was selling on Ebay. The wood looked good, nice color and straight grain and the price was attractive enough to entice me to experiment. Now that it doesn't matter, has anyone dealt with this vendor and be willing to comment on the experience and the wood?

Thanks very much.

[ken cierp]

If its Fraser Fine Woods -- yes I have I made the mistake of not reading his grading system discloser, that turns out to be his own standard which is at least one and a half grades lower then normal. To my surprise, the material I received had a lot of run-out and the grain was pretty squiggly not straight and even. It was when I contacted him that I finally came to the realization that I did in fact, over look his disclaimer. His argument, also rightfully so mentions that he does put up a picture of all the pieces being sold -- however based on the advertised ratings I did not even think to look for the afore mentioned defects. He did offer to take the material back ( I made it into bracing and back reinforcement strips). He stated I would have to purchase his master grade material to meet our normal AAA appearance requirements. -- This was Sitka Spruce. So look at the pictures carefully.

[peter havriluk]

Ken, thanks for sharing your experience. The wood I bought wasn't 'graded' in any sense that I understood. Many photographs were posted, some with a ruler so that grain spacing could be seen, and the buyer (me) was left to use his own judgement as to whether he wanted to purchase the offered woods at auction. Well, I did, thinking that the wood suited what I hoped were decent measures, straight grain and even, light color and priced competitively with 'student grade' soundboards offered by others. Here's the item number on the wood: 190710292064.

I understand that at my level of experience, I've got everything to learn and sometimes experience itself is the best teacher.

Thanks very much.