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Plywood? Why Not?
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
Plywood? Why Not?
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: Plywood? Why Not? |
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Jon Light Member Posts: 6528 |
posted 10 November 1998 05:10 PM
I was talking with a luthier friend of mine about the increasing rarity and cost of beautifully figured bird's eye maple. Go out and try to find wood to match a 30 year old ShoBud like we have seen pictures of here. So my friend asked why not use high quality plywood and fine veneers? He stumped me. So I ask you. Why not? |
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T MOONEY unregistered Posts: 6528 |
posted 10 November 1998 05:42 PM
Some guitars were and are made using plywood and veneers. Gene Fields uses die board, a very high quality maple laminated plywood, and Emmons used to use birdseye maple veneer, and may still use it, on top of a lower grade of maple. |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 11 November 1998 11:54 AM
I seem to remember that one of the (now defenct) steel companies put out a model back in the 70's that used plywood or something similar with formica cover. I never seen one, but I heard comments that there was tuning problems with them. I have no idea which company did it. I just remember some people talking about it at St Louis one year, at the old Chase Park Hotel.
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Bobby Bowman Member Posts: 1271 |
posted 11 November 1998 06:44 PM
Jon, Well, here I go again,,,,sticking my neck out to be chopped upon, but that's OK. I have and do build both types of cabinets, that is solid wood and laminated wood. As far as a builders viewpoint, it makes me no difference. It's the customers' choice along with what that customer is willing to pay for. However, it seems that you are asking and looking for opinions. This is my personal opinion---The highest quality laminate (plywood) is much stronger than any of the solid woods. It is much less susceptable to temperature changes and humidity. Now mind you, this is not plywood that you get at a regular lumber supply yard or Home Depot type of store. This comes from the same places tha specialize in the hard woods and exotic woods. In my case it's Houston Hardwood & Supply. It's expensive compared to the best "cabinet" plywoods, but not as expensive as the more exotic hard woods. I suspose you could put a veneer over it, but I've never done that. By the time you do all that is necessary and good for a veneer application you're almost up to the price of exotic hard wood and maybe above the price of conventional hard wood. IMHO, a mica covering is the best way to go on laminated wood. I have seen the very best and most expensive hard woods have a splitting problem from time to time. This usually is a "cure" problem and that "cure" has been misrepresented to the buyer by the seller, or as the case usually is, from the supplier to the seller to the final buyer. A good wood man has a way of telling and knowing about the "cure". Tone of the guitar may be affected to different degrees by the wood used in the cabinet as well as sustain, but I think this is way overstated by some. Probably and perhaps a cheap plywood cabinet would not conform to our expectations, but a very high quality laminated wood makes a better cabinet as far as strength. If you're looking for beautiful, furniture like cosmetics, then some type of hardwood is the way to go. There are quiet a few to choose from. Availibility is subject and price can overwhelm you at times. Me? I like a laminent with mica covering. BTW, there are some new micas' that look pretty exotic and very appealing to the eye. BB |
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Jon Light Member Posts: 6528 |
posted 12 November 1998 01:36 PM
Bobby-- Thanks for sounding off on this. Just for the sake of clarity, I have already ordered a lacquer guitar so my choice has been made. What my friend was saying is that the choicest woods, cosmetical-wise, are going to the veneer mills. I guess if you peel these babies down you can get the best cash yield out of them. |
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Bobby Bowman Member Posts: 1271 |
posted 12 November 1998 06:47 PM
Jon, I'm not sure about the weight difference. What ever it is one way or the other, it wouldn't amount to very much as to the total weight of the guitar. Maybe a half pound,,, two pounds at the very most. We're talking about the very best of either choice, solid vs laminate. The curly maple you're talking about may be the same thing that some call fiddle back. I'm not sure. I'd bet it's gonna' be a beautiful guitar. Hope it's all you ever dreamed of in a guitar. Let us know. BB ps: be sure and consult with your builder as to the recommended maintenience for that finish. Certain clearners and polishes may not be compatable. One thing I do know---on the polished aluminum, don't use a chrome polish. Mother's or Never-dull are good for that. I'm sure there are other brands available around the country. [This message was edited by Bobby Bowman on 11-12-98] |
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Jon Light Member Posts: 6528 |
posted 13 November 1998 01:10 PM
I figure a scrubbing with brillo pads and Comet, extra grit, a couple a times a week will keep this baby gleaming. Or should I get a dip tank with lacquer thinner. Sand blaster? Thanks a lot for your good wishes on this, BB. I'll let you know. |
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emmett d unregistered Posts: 6528 |
posted 13 November 1998 05:55 PM
Jon--maybe a belt sander... The Peavey rep was in the store today, and I mentioned this thread (we were looking at the bird's-eye neck on a Wolfgang guitar) and he said that when they planed the wood for those necks, the more highly-figured the wood was, the more likely it was to twist, and that it might take 5 tries (and 5 blanks) to get one good neck...I asked if there was any way to buy the scraps and he said they haven't decided what they would do with them. But, if you could get them, you'd have to be a much better woodcutter than me to get them down to veneer thickness without sanding a piece into oblivion...so it's worth the price to me to pay the price for a desirable veneer... |
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Mike Dennis Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 15 November 1998 07:28 AM
In recent years there has been talk about a cache of old growth hardwoods logs sitting on the bottom of Lake Superior. These were logs lost in transportation during the 1800's when the great northern forests were cut. The wood is considered to be worth millions, and will soon be brought to the surface. There has all ready been bids by instrument makers for a particular maple that hasn't been seen for nearly 70 years. Interesting... Mike |
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Henning Kock Member Posts: 326 |
posted 20 November 1998 01:42 PM
In the 70ties the Dekley pedal steel guitar was made of "Pakkawood", which was wood dipped in and baked together with liquid plastic. /hk ------------------ |
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Raybob Member Posts: 584 |
posted 25 November 1998 07:26 PM
This topic reminds me of when I bought a Seirra (made of metal) Everyone I talked to in Nashville would say "Metal? A steel guitar is made of WOOD!" As a wood worker, I don't know for sure but I would think a laminated wood of good quality would be more stable with humidity and temperature changes than a solid piece. |
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