Beefwood - Grevillea Striata

[Bruce McC]

I have inherited two slabs of timber said to be beefwood. The timber was acquired in Emerald, Central Qld.
The density of one slab is approx 955 kg/m3 which puts it in the range of Grevillea Striata.
I am thinking of using this timber for back and sides on steel string and nylon string guitars.
Would appreciate any comments particular in regard to side bending timber with medulary rays.

[Allen]

I've only used Beefwood for bindings, and it's pretty tricky to bend without breaking, but that would totally depend on the way you cut it I suppose.

[curly]

Looks like Beefwood to me and Emerald would be just about right .
The timber is easy to machine though a complet *&%$ to sand . It gums paper like nothing else I've encountered . There is also some coating effect on bandsaw blades in resawing though this can be countered by squirting a little chainsaw bar oil mixed half with diesel onto the guides as you cut . Just a wee bit will do , As soon as the band goes quiet ( you'll know it when you hear it ) that's enough .
I haven't found it overly difficult to bend , particularly in flat sawn material ( as your sample is ) the rays are not too bad for lifting .
I used it for a weissenborn including the soundboard which was pretty daft . It was completely dead sounding . Probably not such an issue for back and sides though the tap tone isn't great generally .
I have found it to be very stable . My favourite use for it is outdoors . It is fantastically durable when exposed to the elements , which is of course completely irrelevant to guitar building .
What else ... Sometimes extractives can bleed out of finish . And when your sandpaper gets coated hit it with a pressure washer , the gumph comes off easily enough .
Pete
Curly Timbers

[Bruce McC]

Thank you Allen and Pete for your input. Something for me to ponder over.
Might end up with a lot of head stock veneer and rosettes