Suggestions needed

sebastiaan56 · Post by **sebastiaan56** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:16 pm

This is an instrument I am working on. The timber is Meranti/Merbau from Bunnies, pretty cool huh! I gave it a lick of epoxy because I was curious how it would look under finish.

What kind of binding would look good? It will have a plain WRC top (no rosette), ebony fretboard and bridge and a Silky Oak neck

This is some ivoroid, its the current front runner,

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:35 pm

Black binding might look pretty cool with the ebony FB. Will it have a pick guard as well? I can see the ivoriod too. Would be a nice contrast.
J

sebastiaan56 · Post by **sebastiaan56** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:39 pm

No pick guard, I dont like them. But it is also a copy of sorts of a LaPrevotte

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:04 pm

I'm always a starter for Ivoroid with a dark timber or maybe even Curly Maple? just to add a nice contrast to the Meranti

WaddyT · Post by **WaddyT** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:49 pm

Lacewood looks pretty good with dark back and side wood.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:39 am

I'm liking the look of the ivoroid. If you went with something dark then it's going to need some light colored purflings. Not sure if that's appropriate on a period style instrument.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:02 am

You could always ask those helpful people at Bunnings for advice. I imagine when you ask them about bindings theyll direct you to the nearest bondage shop.

Dennis Leahy · Post by **Dennis Leahy** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:35 am

I have started leaning toward the milder contrasting woods. Like maybe Koa or some light Tas Blackwood for this Meranti box.

You know, you've got to be careful Sebastiaan, you'll get a dozen conflicting opinions on this, and eventually, you'll have to tell us all to bugger off while you do whatever you want.

Dennis

sebastiaan56 · Post by **sebastiaan56** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:59 am

I suspect you are right Dennis, I was considering Blackwood as well,

Thx for all the feedback folks,

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:17 pm

Seb, the back of that instrument looks really thick. What's that wood like to work.....?

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:29 pm

Is that wood Merbau or Meranti Sebastiaan?

They are quite different woods and it looks like Merbau to me - not Meranti.

The Meranti I have is very similar to light pink mahogany. And my deck is made from Merbau, which looks similar to your guitar.

I'm interested as the Merbau I've worked with seemed to be quite oily and I wondered how it glued.

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:44 pm

I love bloodwood with dark wood like that.

Ron

sebastiaan56 · Post by **sebastiaan56** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:55 pm

Martin,

Its a carved back, varies from 2.2 - 3.0mm. It works really well with the power carver attachent on my angle gringer

I then cleaned it up with ascending grits with a sanding disc, and finished with 320 by hand.

Bob,

Could well be, I lost the sticker when Gerard Gilet cut it up for me. I thought the names were interchangable? It glues up fine with titebond and is quite good to bend at 1.8-2.0mm. Im stalking the racks looking for more as I really like the drama of the grain.

Thx Ron and Waddy, unfortunately business is very flat at the moment so I need to keep costs under control, so no imported timbers for a while. I have even had to put Tim S. off. Oh well. Love that Snakewood BTW.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:48 pm

Merbau and Meranti are different woods. Ive got Merbau internal doors in my house and meranti window frames.....the Merbau is the nicer looking of the two.

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