Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

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willcall
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Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by willcall » Tue May 24, 2011 3:18 pm

Hi all, just after some advice on the following:
I am after an Australian timber that looks just like Rock Maple and gives a similar twang for an electric guitar neck.
So far I have come up with Satinwood or Tulip Satinwood from the East Cost of Aus. (Qld. & NSW border) but really don't know too much about them.

As for the body, I have come up with Bunya Pine (as used by Cole Clark) and Huon Pine (as used by woodcraft.com.au)

I am really keen on using Australian timbers but still want the look of maple and the twang of maple & alder.

Any help would be much appreciated.

N.B. I am also in the market for some timber to suit.

Cheers, Will

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needsmorecowbel
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Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by needsmorecowbel » Tue May 24, 2011 5:42 pm

Huon pine is a softish hardwood. Tis a very annoying task (as i am finding at the moment) to get all the little tiny dings out of it so it might not be great for a neck but would be a fairly good body once you get some nitro on it.

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Bob Connor
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Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by Bob Connor » Tue May 24, 2011 6:45 pm

Satinwood aka Satin Box would probably be the closest you'll get to Rock Maple.
Bob, Geelong
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Bruce McC
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Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by Bruce McC » Tue May 24, 2011 9:15 pm

Hi Will
Silver Ash, a hardwood from the coastal regions of northern NSW and Queensland
could be a suitable alternative.
Bruce Mc.

willcall
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Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by willcall » Wed May 25, 2011 9:33 am

Cheers,

I found the website of a luthier in Sydney(?) who has used satinwood for a Tele neck. from the pics it looks nearly identical to rock maple. He told me that it can be hard to find however.

I live near the national parks in the Gold Coast hinterland and noticed one local in the mountains was/is selling off a yard full of rainforrest timbers he has slabbed up. There may be some Satinwood in amongst it too.

As for the Huon denting easily, I'm ok with that. I like the relic look.
I'll look into the silver ash too.

Cheers, Will

willcall
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Location: Gold Coast

Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by willcall » Wed May 25, 2011 10:15 am

I found these guys who may be able to help me out.
Looks like they have some really nice timber.


Will

http://www.boutiquetimbers.com/p/timber-selection.html

jeffhigh
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Re: Advice on Australian alternatives to Rock Maple & Alder

Post by jeffhigh » Wed May 25, 2011 11:18 am

Yeah Mal Ward (boutique timbers) is a straight up guy

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