tasmainian Oak soundboard or back and sides

[Jules93]

I’ve been reading through posts etc haven’t heard much about acoustic guitar tops or back and sides
Has anyone used Tasmanian oak for either of these?

[RodC]

Tasi Oak is one of 3 different species - Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus obliqua or Eucalyptus delegatensis. They all have sightly different properties.
I haven't heard of anyone using any of these for soundboards and I suspect that they would not work well.
I have seen some nice guitars with spectacular back and sides as you can get some sets with great figure.
I have used it for necks and it works well for that.

You could probably find some nice caps for electrics, but I would steer clear of trying it as a sound board.

Rod

[peter.coombe]

I would not use it as a soundboard but have used it for back and sides on guitars and recently an octave mandolin. No idea what species it is, I just kept sniffing around at Bunnings until a nice piece appeared. Nothing wrong with it, it makes nice instruments.

[tapslider]

You will find some information on this website written by Jack Spira
https://www.otwaytonewoods.com.au/pages/species-2
I'm at present building a jumbo guitar cutaway and have found the wood easy to bend even though the figure is extreme in the set I have so far it seems to be behaving well
Regards

[Jules93]

This is a group reply
So you guys are telling me if I went through bunnings and found a really straight grain piece for an acoustic guitar it would already be dry and stable enough to use, for back and sides or neck?

And people would still buy a guitar with bunnings supplied tasmainian oak back and sides (not that you’d tell them).
Would it be suitable for bracing or Kerfing?

That jumbo cutaway sounds like an awesome project can’t wait for the pictures

[kiwigeo]

This is a group reply
So you guys are telling me if I went through bunnings and found a really straight grain piece for an acoustic guitar it would already be dry and stable enough to use, for back and sides or neck?

And people would still buy a guitar with bunnings supplied tasmainian oak back and sides (not that you’d tell them).
Would it be suitable for bracing or Kerfing?

That jumbo cutaway sounds like an awesome project can’t wait for the pictures

For back and sides yes. For lining....maybe. For bracing no. Bracing needs to be stiff and light like your top wood.

[Jules93]

Cool thanks once again,

Definitely love this forum

I would not use it as a soundboard but have used it for back and sides on guitars and recently an octave mandolin. No idea what species it is, I just kept sniffing around at Bunnings until a nice piece appeared. Nothing wrong with it, it makes nice instruments.

What tone did it produce?
Any rough comparison?

[peter.coombe]

What tone did it produce?
Any rough comparison?

The only real comparisons I have done was with some mandolins I made with Tassie Oak back and sides. With Carpathian Spruce tops, comparing with European Maple and Tassie Myrtle backs, also with Carpathian Spruce tops. The Maple had more clarity, the Myrtle was warmer with less clarity, the Tassie Oak was smack bang in between. So, good clarity, with some warmth, a good compromise. The recent OM has more warmth than a Blackwood OM I made at the same time, less bright but still with good clarity so agrees with the mandolins. I would say it is middle of the road, has everything in moderation, so is nicely balanced. If you are aiming for a big bass or strong treble then it is not recommended.

[Jules93]

Cool,
Thanks again
It’s always good to be able to build guitars for all tones
This might be a good wood for my next build.

[slowlearner]

Not exactly on topic, but I've made many necks out of TO with good success. Only thing I'd say is it tears out easily with the router and burns easily on the sander. So, yeah. Beware of that.