Kauri pine for guitar tops?

[slowlearner]

Got heaps of kauri pine here. Know where to get more easily. It's about 50 years old and well seasoned. I'd like to use it for a top. Yes, no, maybe?

[Bruce McC]

Hi Pete

Check out this post and others in the Gallery from Christian.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5400

[DarwinStrings]

Hi Pete, which one is it, does it say fish or fesh?

Jim

[auscab]

I did my one out of Kauri Pine , I like it , I want to use it again.
I would like to do more from the tried and tested Better top materials first before I do another one though. To see if I can hear the difference , and how big a difference it is.

[rocket]

Hi Pete, i've carved some arched tops from some fish Kauri and i found it very nice to work, i've got some fesh Kauri in the stash and am looking forward to having a go at that at a later date.
Cheers,,
Rod.

[slowlearner]

It's kind of hard to say which sort it is. I "harvested" from some sunday school pews I was given. How do I tell what sort it is?

I just made two "fundabird" basses from it. here's the body from one of them before finishing...


I've found it soft, but firmer than radiator pine.

[sebastiaan56]

Ive used it once for a LaPrevotte style instrument and it sounded just fine to me. Where are you in Western Sydney SL?

[ozziebluesman]

G'day Pete,

My last Archtop I used Kauri as the back and side material. It was a joy to carve and provided a nice mellow tone.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4982

Cheers

Alan

[martintaylor]

Hi Pete,

Are you able to get quarter sawn sections from it? I'd love to try it as an acoustic top. I have found some lovely old Tassie Oak retrieved from a discarded desk that I have been able to get perfectly quartered timber for back and sides and am looking for something that would be recycled for the top. If you feel the need to lessen you stash, happy to help out!

Martin

[slowlearner]

I've just had a look at the slabs I have and from what I can see so far, unlikely. It looks as though the planks have been cut from whole logs right across the tree. So the quarter sawn sections are not very big. I might get lucky on some other pews, but not in the stock I have so far.

How important is it to have quarter sawn timber for tops?

[nnickusa]

I'd be interested in a slab for an electric bass. My son's 21st is next April, and, as he's a bass player, I'd like to send him an as much as possible Aussie bass for the occassion. I'm thinking fatter, rather than longer. If it's OK, I can PM you further details, if you want to flog a chunk?

[slowlearner]

Sure, PM me.

[Clancy]

If it's recycled old furniture then it's probably from qld, like this stuff

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2565

Cheers

[Bruce McC]

Welcome back to the Forum Craig

[Clancy]

Took a wrong turn & found myself back here