Blackwood As A Sound Board

[Tigermyrtle]

Ok,
Here is a question I hope some one can answer.
Has anyone used Blackwood as a sound board on an Acoustic also back and sides will be blackwood as I have a friend that wants to know if this would work.
I know its ok on Uke and mandolin but Acoustic well I dont know.
Thanks Cheers Bob,

[Allen]

Yes, it makes a great sound board.

I've just finished a Weissenborn with back, sides and top all from Black Wood. I've also heard some others 000's made with a Black Wood body that are beautiful sounding instruments.

[Tigermyrtle]

Thanks for your quick reply Allen,
This is what I love about this forum great bunch of guys always some one out there to help with info Cheers Bob,

Yes, it makes a great sound board.

I've just finished a Weissenborn with back, sides and top all from Black Wood. I've also heard some others 000's made with a Black Wood body that are beautiful sounding instruments.

[Hesh1956]

Yep it should make a killer sound board.

Lots of guitars have been built with Koa sound boards and since they are both Acacias it should work nicely.

The Koa topped guitar that I played sounded rich and lush and a tad dark which I liked.

[hilo_kawika]

As Allen and Hesh have noted, it can make a fine soundboard and has been used in many guitar-sized instruments.

From a material properties standpoint, the koa samples that I've measured have been much like the better quality Honduras mahoganies. That is to say, that they are between more stiff top woods such as some spruces and less stiff top woods such as some cedars.

It would be an interesting discussion point to compare the general sound properties of guitars having high density backs and sides and low density tops (think hardwood/softwood) with those wherein the whole body was made from wood from the same properties (think mahogany or koa). Of course there are many variables which affect the final sound quality of an instrument but just in general terms...

aloha,

Dave Hurd
www.ukuleles.com

[Allen]

Good point of discussion Dave.

I'm just getting to the final stages of a Raintree (Monkey Pod) 0M. The tap tone on this one is load, almost metallic and long sustain. And that is just the unfinished body. So different than others I've built with soft wood tops.

[Tigermyrtle]

Thanks Aloha, & Hesh for the information I will keep you posted when my friend builds the Guitar the back & sides are fiddleback blackwood and the piece I have picked for the soundboard has only a small amount of fiddleback but a beautiful pattern.
Regards Bob.

As Allen and Hesh have noted, it can make a fine soundboard and has been used in many guitar-sized instruments.

From a material properties standpoint, the koa samples that I've measured have been much like the better quality Honduras mahoganies. That is to say, that they are between more stiff top woods such as some spruces and less stiff top woods such as some cedars.

It would be an interesting discussion point to compare the general sound properties of guitars having high density backs and sides and low density tops (think hardwood/softwood) with those wherein the whole body was made from wood from the same properties (think mahogany or koa). Of course there are many variables which affect the final sound quality of an instrument but just in general terms...

aloha,

Dave Hurd
www.ukuleles.com

[matthew]

I have wondered quite a few times how Silky Oak would fare as a soundboard. It's light and strong and pings like a conifer. Anyone tried this one?

[Bob Connor]

It will be heavier than any of the softwood tops and should be treated accordingly.

It can make a good guitar but it won't sound like a Spruce or Cedar topped instrument.

Because of the weight it may be quieter than a spruce guitar as well.

It really boils down to what the builder does with it and whether the wood is light/heavy, stiff/floppy(both cross and along the grain), how it is braced etc.