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tomigv Member
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 50 Location: lee/s summit mo
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject: American sycamore or buttonwood |
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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 _________________ 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 Member
Joined: 31 Mar 2009 Posts: 63 Location: Southern Illinois
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Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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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 Junior Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 17
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Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:07 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ May I always be the person my dog thinks I am. |
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cmkaco Junior Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 24 Location: US
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Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:23 pm Post subject: American Sycamore |
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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 Junior Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2 Location: IL
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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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
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 Member
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 50 Location: lee/s summit mo
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:46 am Post subject: |
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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 ???? _________________ 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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