Is wood to dry to use...

[Rob the luthier]

Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice, I have been given a 50"x9"x3" block of old mahogany which has been cut on the slab, it would be an ideal size to get maybe 4 or 5 parlour guitar back & sides from it and have some to spare, the only problem is it was previously used as a mantle above a log fire place and before I go to the expense of getting it resawn I was wondering would it be dried out too much with the heat or would the heat maybe affect the way the wood bends, I really cant afford to make costly mistakes so any advice would be much appreciated ... Rob...

[charangohabsburg]

Wood degrades under the influence of great heat over a long period of time (cell structure gets damaged, this has nothing to do with the dryness of the wood). The only two ways to know about the wood's internal structural integrity I am aware of are trying it out or reading coffee grounds. Even if lab analysis using a good microscope may show the damage (if present) it will be impossible to conclude if what can be seen will compromise significantly bending properties or not, if there are no samples / experiences available one can compare with.

[Rob the luthier]

Wood degrades under the influence of great heat over a long period of time (cell structure gets damaged, this has nothing to do with the dryness of the wood). The only two ways to know about the wood's internal structural integrity I am aware of are trying it out or reading coffee grounds. Even if lab analysis using a good microscope may show the damage (if present) it will be impossible to conclude if what can be seen will compromise significantly bending properties or not, if there are no samples / experiences available one can compare with.

Thanks Markus, I think I will just have to try it and see, I got the piece for free so I guess I have saved money in that respect, in any case my curiosity will get the better of me... Time to get it sawn I think...

[charangohabsburg]

Hey Rob, if you want to stay on the safe side you still can use Super-Soft™ veneer softener when bending. I have never used this product, but I have only read positive comments about it.

[Rob the luthier]

Hey Rob, if you want to stay on the safe side you still can use Super-Soft™ veneer softener when bending. I have never used this product, but I have only read positive comments about it.

I have never heard of this stuff before, I will check it out cheers mate...

[kiwigeo]

Brian May of Queen made his own guitar. The neck I believe is oak and came from a fireplace.