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American sycamore or buttonwood

 
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tomigv
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Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 50
Location: lee/s summit mo

PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:32 pm    Post subject: American sycamore or buttonwood Reply with quote

I have easy access through a local sawyer of obtaining split or 1/4 sawn sycamore for cellos/double basses/violas etc . Has anyone successfully used this wood, if so ,how did the sycamore instrument turn out ?? Thanks
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I am very interested in violin and bow making. Have quite a few interesting bows and a large cache of pernambuco. I like to experiment using local midwest hardwoods,
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okawbow
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Joined: 31 Mar 2009
Posts: 63
Location: Southern Illinois

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've made a cello bridge from sycamore. It turned out really nice. After 6 years of playing, it has held up well and sounds great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/2004038029/in/set-72157603144224626
My neighbor has an old cello that has the neck and sides made from European plane wood, which is the same as sycamore, I think.

I'd like to get some figured sycamore wide enough to make a 2 piece back for a double bass.
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MWard
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Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would also like to know if anyone has used American sycamore with success. I think I read somewhere that it was very prone to soaking up ground--- correct me if i am wrong. I have a huge one in my front yard that may have to come down sometime in the next several years.
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cmkaco
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Joined: 07 Feb 2011
Posts: 24
Location: US

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:23 pm    Post subject: American Sycamore Reply with quote

I can't speak to whether or not American Sycamore soaks up ground, but I had some experience with it. Last year, I was making some bouzoukis for some friends, and I bought some nice quartersawn American Sycamore. On quartersawn, the face exhibits a beautiful lace like pattern, and that was what I wanted. However, I used this on the necks, and when you shape the neck, the rounding of the neck destroys the lace pattern. All you get is a sort of greyish colored very plain wood. I don't think it has open pores like mahogany, but the wood looks a bit like that. I was quite disappointed with the look, and will not be using it again. I think you have to have the quartersawn face fully exposed to get the right look. So, I don't think you would get the right look on a violin back either.
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JPherson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2
Location: IL

PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes it does soak up ground, but it is manageable. Vary nice wood for violas and cellos but not so much for violins.
Maybe i just haven't found the right graduations for violin and i probably won't since i don't really make violins Very Happy

It can be a bear to varnish but well worth it just a bigger learning curve than nice white maple.

Jesse
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tomigv
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Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 50
Location: lee/s summit mo

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have used a vln rosin varnish boiled linseed oil/turpentine /pine rosin. cooked outside It makes a beautiful finish on a 1/4 sawn sycamore tenor uke neck . Mine came out reddish /brn. What do you mean when you say soaks up ground ?? not sure , is that a type of filler for the pores ????
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I am very interested in violin and bow making. Have quite a few interesting bows and a large cache of pernambuco. I like to experiment using local midwest hardwoods,
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