Homebrew Builders, wood question.

[loapathy]

What are some fun woods?

Other day I happened to walk through the "Exotic" section at the local lumber place, and started wondering what kind of fun I could have.

Anyone tried anything like Bloodwood? Or Black Limba? What about Redheart? Figured Makore? They even had a 2 x 16 x 24 slab of something called Jatoba, which the knowledgeable-seeming woman at the counter said was like Cherry but from Africa. All of it void-free, single slab.

Everything big enough for a guitar body was under $70, as well.

It's one of those things where you think, "Well, why not...?"

But if I do it, I won't be doing it for a few weeks, so I figured I have time to get peoples' thoughts. Any input would be appreciated.

[Mynameisfritz]

Check out this forum, it's all there.
http://reranch.com/reranch/viewforum.php?f=1

[Strat78]

The African Cherry sounds like it might be really cool, go for it! This summer I cut up a couple of Pistachio stumps into nice slabs, just waiting for them to dry and hopefully not split. Here is a strat I made out of one piece of mango, the grain is all over the place with flame and "starry night' type swirls here and there, the rich natural color is gorgeous:

[Tone Slinger]

That looks very nice.

I guess alot depends on how particular one is to the actual tone of a guitar. What looks good grain/color wise, might not sound good. I havent tried 'super' exotic type woods, but I do know alot about the 'staple' guitar tone woods (alder, mhogany,ash,basswood, poplar, maple, rosewood,etc). I say go for the type that catches your fancy. Go for it and post your results .

[Strat78]

That looks very nice.

I guess alot depends on how particular one is to the actual tone of a guitar. What looks good grain/color wise, might not sound good. .

Here is how that mango strat sounds (starting at 1:05), different but not too bad, I think I like it.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5537697" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[908ssp]

That mango wood looks incredible.

[OnTheFritz]

Wow That Mango is mind boggling!

[wdelaney72]

Black Limba is Korina... just darker in color. I'm not sure if the tone is different.

Check out Warmoth's website, they've got good descriptions.

I agree, the Mango strat looks amazing.

[loapathy]

I wasn't very clear. I was asking more about what different woods sounded like than how they looked, ha.

As far as looks go, the African Cherry had a really chaotic but subdued grain... as though someone took bottom of the maple that grew near a swamp, let it soak in blood, and then smoked it like a bit of BBQ pork. Really quite strange, but I bet would look good with a good clear coat.

But...I'm more interested in how things sound, comparatively. I've never played a Cherry guitar, and I can read about how it's "dark and meaty" all day long, but what's it sound like compared to an ash guitar? Or a mahogany guitar? All pickups, wire, tone caps, etc. being relative.

The reranch forum's got a ton of information. I need to spend less time using the internet to make money and more time as a source of information. Thanks for that link.

And goddamn, that Mango strat is brilliant. How's it sound?

[Tone Slinger]

Great playing there Strat78 ! I must admit to not really likeing Holdsworth too much, but I can definatly appreciate the technique required to play the stuff. . The Mango strat sounded maybe a little bright ? How do you identify its tone ?

[loapathy]

Strat78, do you happen to have a clip not through a POD?

[Mynameisfritz]

Thanks for that link.

You're welcome.