Paulownia

[AidanHarris]

Hey guys.

I have been talking to a few of my woodwork buddies (happened to be talking about veneering at the time) when one of them told me about this wood called paulownia.

its a chinese tree from what i gather and is pretty much a miracle wood. its a super stable wood and is light as a feather and is fast growing (also has pretty flowers that smell nice, if you plan to grow one). the only real down side is that its really bland in colour and texture.

I was wondering if any one has used it in a musical instrument of any sort. or had any experiance with it at all? dont they say a lighter instrument is more responsive?

heres a picture of a small plantaion i think it was around Donnybrook? maybe. ahaha they usually have leaves and such.

Aidan

Paulownia plantation, southwest

RIMG0326.jpg (178.7 KiB) Viewed 3442 times

[Allen]

G'day Aidan

I use it as a Balsa replacement in the lattice bracing on my ukes. I've heard that it's used on instruments as soundboards and such in some Asian Countries. I haven't tried it for anything that you would see. It ins't all that attractive of a wood. Sort of unfortunately unattractive in fact.

I got mine as off cuts from Micheal Connor (Localelel) as part of the waste from his Surf Board enterprise. He might have some more insight into its suitability for instruments.

[DarwinStrings]

While this question is up Allen or anyone who has used it, would you describe Paulownia as easily compressed. I was thinking to maybe use it for some of those huge headblocks I make for my boltons to lighten things up a bit.

Jim