material for kerfed linings

cactus bum · Post by **cactus bum** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:22 am

Any opinion on material for kerfed linings? I have read basswood is good. I have enough basswood for one guitar. I have read spruce is good. I MIGHT have enough left over from bracing of the two guitars for one guitar to have spruce linings. I am making one of the two guitars I am building with an alligator juniper soundboard. This material is very much like cedar. It is an experiment actually. Would this be ok for kerfed linings on that guitar? Thanks in advance for any replies. Cactus ps I have plenty of mahogany also to do linings. One guitar has a mahogany body and a juniper top. Thanks

DarwinStrings · Post by **DarwinStrings** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:47 am

G'day Cactus. Basswood and mahogany are very traditional so you can't go wrong there, I use hard maple now cause I like a dense lining as for spruce or cedar maybe someone else has experience with them.

Jim

Taffy Evans · Post by **Taffy Evans** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:49 am

Hi My experience with spruce and Cedar is that they can be a bit fragile when working with them, particually when cutting the kerfing. I use a timber that has the name "Damar" or something in the name bought it many years ago so Im not sure. Works well for me', I dont look for tonal qualities in the area.

Taffy Evans · Post by **Taffy Evans** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:04 am

Hi again, I found a photo of the lining timber I use.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:09 pm

I've used all kinds, and I don't worry about tonal qualities out of the linings, other than wanting to make them as stiff as I can. Hence the laminated ones I've used on most of my instruments.

I think that there are far too many variables in the sound that you can get from a guitar to put any weight into the choice of lining material, other than aesthetics and workability.

My 2 south pacific pesos opinion for what it's worth.

cactus bum · Post by **cactus bum** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:50 am

Thanks so much for the input, all of you. Taffy, when I cut kerfing I will use your band saw jig design to do it.

Allen, I remember well your bent, solid linings. They have a very high end look. If I had to guess at steps in your solid lining process I would say you begin with laminations, bend them on your Fox bender, allow to dry, glue the laminates up, rout the profile, then glue to the sides as usual. Do you use laminations at all, or are the linings bent as one piece? Is the profile routed before or after bending?

I will get back to this thread as I get into the actual lining process. Thanks again Ciao, Cactus

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:07 am

This is the latest way that I'm building them Michael.

viewtopic.php?t=1480

Localele · Post by **Localele** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:02 am

Taffy Evans wrote: I use a timber that has the name "Damar" or something in the name

Taffy, Years ago some timber companies imported a timber called " Damar Menyak ".It is Malaysian Hoop Pine and always looked like a full brother to our Hoop Pine which is what I have been using in my first guitars for binding and bracing.My ukuleles have been using QLD Maple and the early ones Aust. Red Cedar for both jobs.Cheers.

woodrat · Post by **woodrat** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:26 pm

Taffy Evans wrote:Hi My experience with spruce and Cedar is that they can be a bit fragile when working with them, particually when cutting the kerfing. I use a timber that has the name "Damar" or something in the name bought it many years ago so Im not sure. Works well for me', I dont look for tonal qualities in the area.

Hello Taffy, I think that your Damar could be Damar Minak which is the trade name that SE asian Kauri pine is sold under also called "Agathis" I have used it before too

Hi Michael, I really should read your post before posting! Sorry for the double up. Sounds like we are barking up similar trees anyway.

Cheers

Ricardo · Post by **Ricardo** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:57 pm

Any opinions on Non Kerfed Linnings? Ie laminated solid ones similar to what some classical builders use. Also is there an opinion on material used for laminated Linnings. Does anyone think that there is any accoustic difference or has demenstrated that there is accoustic differences in kerfed non kerfed and material diffrences. I would have thought there would be as this is the coupling device for the soundboard.

I have used king billy in the past.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:20 pm

I predominantly use laminated solid linings. Used Qld. Maple, Kauri Pine, Hoop Pine, and Mahogany.

They make for a very stiff set of sides prior to attaching backs and tops. Does it sound better? I don't have ears good enough to tell a difference.

I use them because I like the way they look, and I think that very stiff sides is a good thing. It also is just one of those small things that sets to my instruments apart from many others.

They take a heck of a lot more work to make, though.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:35 am

Cactus, aspen might work for you. From what I remember of it, it is light weight, but tough. You are close enough to Co that you might be able to find a decent supply. You could also try juniper. I've only burnt the stuff, but it might be worth the look.

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material for kerfed linings

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