Fir as a tone wood

[gstring]

Has anyone used Douglas Fir as a tone wood ??

Thanks

daniel

[pekes]

Good question daniel. I've wondered this myself since Douglas fir is such a beautiful wood with its different colours, straight grain and strength. It will be interesting to hear from some knowledgeable folks.

[geordie]

oh yeah,

I had a Daion with a DF top ('80'2)


http://tonewood.com/guitar-wood/acou...undboards.html

[pekes]

Thanks Geordie - interesting website.

some beautiful guitars (woods) displayed here; http://tonewood.com/custom-guitars-p...c-guitars.html

Thanks, also Geordie, for introducing me to your music and playing. Beautiful stuff!

[Alan Carruth]

One of my students has started a guitar using Doug fir from an old piano soundboard. We tested the properties, and it's just like spruce of the same density. It should work fine.

I've used a lot of fir in other instruments, such as dulcimers and hammered dulcimers. It's denser than spruce, usually, but, as I say, the stiffness tracks pretty well. The main issue with it so far as I'm concerned is the splinters...

[MBE]

I've always wanted to try a guitar with a fir top. But sadly, I've always felt too guilty. Fir is murder, after all.

[geordie]

thanks for listening and comment Daniel,

Douglas fir top here

http://www.guitarbench.com/2009/02/1...interview-mp3/

I know someone who successfully used smaller widths of DF reclaimed from an old dairy for bracing material.

[maxed]

Anyone remember Taylor's pallet guitar?

Oak & Pine

http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/3...hop_Pallet.htm

Sounds like a street corner

[buddyhu]

[QUOTE=MBE;3991489]I've always wanted to try a guitar with a fir top. But sadly, I've always felt too guilty. Fir is murder, after all.[/QUOTE]

[Wade Hampton]

Bob Clark, a luthier here in Anchorage, has built some guitars with Douglas fir tops. Doug fir has some interesting figure in the wood I haven't seen in any other conifer.

Anyway, I've played one of his Douglas fir-topped guitars, and it sounded terrific.


whm

[AJLucas]

I have a number of old doors from the '30s in fine-grained douglas fir. I've been using the wood for bracings exclusively for 20 years and have used it for a few guitar soundboards. I've been pretty happy with the sound and it has a beautiful amber colour.

[bohemian]

Interesting guitar.. how did you deal with the pitch pockets?

[StevenL]

Very very nice Mr. Lucas!

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by MBE

I've always wanted to try a guitar with a fir top. But sadly, I've always felt too guilty. Fir is murder, after all.

You have to use sustainable fir--road kill, dead pets, etc. One guy here in town bought out the local pet store after an unfortunate gas leak and has sweet gerbil fir over rosewood. The strings squeak, however.

[sevenpalms]

Originally Posted by AJLucas

I have a number of old doors from the '30s in fine-grained douglas fir. I've been using the wood for bracings exclusively for 20 years and have used it for a few guitar soundboards. I've been pretty happy with the sound and it has a beautiful amber colour.

Mr Lucas, I had a beautiful baritone made by you.....and I think you could make anything sound great!