Recycled timber small body

[martintaylor]

So, to yet again try to reduce my impact on my bank balance (oh, and maybe the rainforests) I have embarked on another recycled timber guitar. The back and sides are from an old desk that was discarded on the roadside. From what I can tell it was manufactured in the 1950's from Tasmanian Mountain Ash. All the timber was perfectly quarter sawn and after resawing had a fairly good tap tone. The top is a piece of Australian Red Cedar (Toona Australis) that was an offcut given to me from an old builder. He reckoned he had it for at least 20 years in his pile of offcuts he just couldn't throw away.
The Rosette is made up from left over rounds from the inside of previous guitar rosettes (I struggle to throw them out). The neck will be recycled cedar from an old fence. Fretboard and Bridge to be decided on yet. I do have some old blanks but I'd love to use something completely recycled.

I build fairly simply and am regularly inspired by some of the work that appears in these forums. One day I will venture into some more complex builds but for now I am enjoying the basics.

Bending the Mountain Ash


Old rosettes rounds


Snapped up and joined into a random pattern


The Cedar top is quite stiff and taps nicely. The rosette is coming together too.


Mixture of old offcuts of Cedar and Bunya Pine for the bracing


Joining back and sides




Joining the top to close the box.


Binding channels routed and recycled Jarrah for the bindings

[lauburu]

Great work. I'm a huge fan of recycling wood to make musical instruments.
Bought a great piece of mahogany recently for $8 from the local hospice shop. They thought it was a headboard. I immediately recognised it was at least 2 tenor ukuleles.
Miguel

[steve roberts]

Hi Martin
Nice work - good use of some nice timber which otherwise would have been wasted.
My wife works in the Sustainability area so she is very proud of you. Hope it sounds great.
Regards Steve

[demonx]

Nice rosette.

It all looks great so far.

[Tod Gilding]

A Great use of Recycled Timbers