Paulownia Soundboard

[kpcart]

i am sure Paulownia can work fine as well. at 3mm thickness of paulownian probably works better and has more tap tone then a .9mm lattice braced cedar top as done by many lattice classical makers in AU.

We all know your feelings about Smallman style guitars by now, no need to keep repeating them in unrelated threads.

before you slay me, please tap a .9mm lattice(balsa) braced cedar top against a 3mm paulownia board, only then will i accept your dismay for my oppinion. i am entitled to an oppinion. i got my oppinion from owning about 90 classical guitars of various guise, and trying hundreds more, and i dont think what i am saying is unfair, even if you dont like it-- that is your prerogative, so get over it.

[jeffhigh]

You are entitled to your opinion
I make no comment on the validity of your opinion
It is just tiresome that you repeat it again and again in unrelated threads

[Nick]

Here is some paulownia put to good use in my shed at home, I bought a pile of it a year or two back, now I use it for steps for my old dog to climb into its kennel and for raising my car of the ground so I can work on it without crawling on the floor.

Bwahahaha

Ah! But how's it's tap tone?

[kiwigeo]

before you slay me, please tap a .9mm lattice(balsa) braced cedar top against a 3mm paulownia board, only then will i accept your dismay for my oppinion. i am entitled to an oppinion. i got my oppinion from owning about 90 classical guitars of various guise, and trying hundreds more, and i dont think what i am saying is unfair, even if you dont like it-- that is your prerogative, so get over it.

So you've tapped a 3mm paulownia top? Who made the instrument and how was the top braced?

You've made a big thing about owning about 90 classical guitars......I've only got 3 in my fleet so you got me there.

I don't think what you're saying is "unfair"...I'm just wondering where you got the 3mm figure from for the paulownia top.

[simso]

I am of the opinion in could be a nice wood for a top,

For someone starting out building why would you, there are just too many unknown variables, I would always start with a known quantity, then after having 40-50 builds under my belt would I consider experimenting, its a lot of work making a quality top.

Knowing how braces work in conjunction with a wood is critically important IMO, not for the novice builder.

Its like saying I am going to use jarrah for my neck, yes you can, others far more wise will advise not too, but once you hyave some builds under your belt, you will probably do one just for experimentation.

Steve

[needsmorecowbel]

KOWABUNGA DOODS!

They should call it Gnarlywood


Stu

[Clancy]

Paulownia with recycled WRC striping.
Looks lovely under jam.
Bends easily too!

IMG_0221_Small.jpg (109.75 KiB) Viewed 29375 times

[demonx]

Here is some paulownia put to good use in my shed at home, I bought a pile of it a year or two back, now I use it for steps for my old dog to climb into its kennel and for raising my car of the ground so I can work on it without crawling on the floor.

Bwahahaha

Is that a mid seventies Camaro I spot?

Hard to tell. Looks like you'll be needing a reverse cowl hood though!

[DarwinStrings]

I reckon if you want to use paulownia for a S.S. Christian then don't forget the scratch guard.

Nice board Craig loose looking but what is the brass screw for, does it hold a set of handle bars on? Do me a favour and orientate that screw slot perpendicular or parallel with the stringer please.

[Clancy]

Hi Jim,
It is a tapered screw for venting when the board is not in use. (You screw it out only half way so you dont lose it!)
A ply 'fish-bone' frame is skinned with paulownia making a hollow board.
The air inside the board expands & contracts so the vent allows this to occur without damaging the board (apparantly the pressure can get high enough to crack the board even though its glassed)

[DarwinStrings]

Thanks mate, I can see the appeal in wanting to make one of them.

[christian]

Man! that board is awesome , especially love seeing the guts of it. I may have to venture down that path and make a longboard for Summer.

I made, of all things a table tennis blade this week, I thought since I had some Paulownia lying around.....
Typically you want a light strong and stable wood, well what better! I'm looking forward to trying it out and then destroying my padawan learner on Tuesday. I used the same poly I use on my guitars and it certainly has made the wood much more durable. One day I will actually get cracking and build a guitar with it!

Cheers,

Christian.

[ozwood]

Only you Christian could make a ping pong bat look flash

[matthew]

i would like to try paulownia for corner and end blocks.

Where can I buy some?

[56nortondomy]

Some of the other guys might know of better sources, but you could start here Mathew.

http://www.paulowniatimber.com.au/timber.php
Wayne

[kiwigeo]

This mob seem to be suppliers to the surfboard industry: http://bywaterdesigned.com/paulownia-timber-sales/

[Clancy]

I got mine through the mob Wayne suggested. (Paulownia Timber Supplies)
Good service & quality.

[christian]

Finally got this Paulownia guitar under way.
After final thickness sanding the top came in at 3mm it's as light as a feather at 108grams.
I've glued up the back and sides, just have to brace up the top and add some lining.

Cheers,

Christian.

[matthew]

Nice. Watching with interest

[kiwigeo]

There don't appear to be any back/side linings?

[Nick]

There don't appear to be any back/side linings?

It's the new revolutionary "Kiwi" way, we can't divulge how it works yet (awaiting worldwide Patent confirmation) but it does involve fern roots and Kiwi poo, but rest assured everybody will be doing it this way in five years time and Christian will be raking it in on royalties!
Refer to last line in Christians post.

[kiwigeo]

There don't appear to be any back/side linings?

It's the new revolutionary "Kiwi" way, we can't divulge how it works yet (awaiting worldwide Patent confirmation) but it does involve fern roots and Kiwi poo, but rest assured everybody will be doing it this way in five years time and Christian will be raking it in on royalties!
Refer to last line in Christians post.

Ok yeah right but Im still intrigued....there appears to be glue squeeze out between the back and sides (see end of one of the back braces).

[dotbot]

Ok yeah right but Im still intrigued....there appears to be glue squeeze out between the back and sides (see end of one of the back braces).

Just a guess:

Christian does that nifty mitred-edge thing, so perhaps the back and sides are glued together and THEN the linings are glued in after.

Or maybe Nick is on to something . . .


Aaron

[christian]

And a good guess too Aaron! Sorry to disappoint chaps, no smoke and mirrors this time.
I add the linings afterwards because it's just much easier that way.
The top weighed in at 184g with all the WRC bracing, I must say it feels very much alive.
Hopefully it doesn't implode upon stringing up!

Cheers,

Christian

[christian]

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and its really taking shape now. I've kinda gone off shell inlays particularly Paua, so opted for a wood inlay
instead.
Christian.