Alaska Specialty Woods

[Jeremy D]

Ordered some wood from Brent last week and would you belive it turned up today. Thats some great service.

I got some sitka and some WRC. I am hoping to make my second build out of WRC with blackwood back and sides. Has anybody built with this combo before? I am aiming for a nice finger-style guitar, maybe a Grand Auditorium . What do you guys think?

BTW I can't believe how light WRC is compared to the sitka. All the tops seem really nice and stiff too so I am really happy with the service at Alaska Specialty Woods

[ozziebluesman]

Thats great service Jeremy.

I used a WRC top and Blackwood in this build:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3682

It sounds good.

Cheers

Alan

[Jeremy D]

Wow that looks awesome Alan.

Good to see the wood combo in action, seems to pair really well visually.

[Allen]

I've used it on one guitar, and several ukes. It's a fantastic combo for both aesthetics and tone.

[ozziebluesman]

If you haven't used WRC before be warned that it is soft and will dent and mark very easily.

Cheers

Alan

[Jeremy D]

More so than engelmann? My first build is engelmann. It's funny I wouldn't pick that from just handling the rough sawn plates. It smells really nice too

[Allen]

If you think Engelman is delicate, then you're going to be in a whole world of hurt when you use Western Red Cedar. It will ding with just a stern glare.

And btw, if you plan on using any CA glue for inlay etc. be warned that you absolutely must seal the end grain or it will stain the grain with no chance of fixing it. Use shellac, lacquer or even hot hide glue which is what I use.

[kiwigeo]

If you think Engelman is delicate, then you're going to be in a whole world of hurt when you use Western Red Cedar. It will ding with just a stern glare.

+1

[Kim]

+ 2

[Lillian]

The only wood that I can think of that is softer than WRC is balsa. As long as you don't cut fibers or crush it too hard, you can steam out a lot dents.

[Jeremy D]

Oh man what have I gotten in to . Thanks for the info guys, especially about the staining etc. I did not know that.

Allen I have just been looking through your website. You make some awesome instruments, just lovely. I cant wait to get to that level of competence (if ever). I especially love the look of your slot head ukes.

[Allen]

Thanks Jeremy. Kind comments entitle you to a cold beer if your are ever up in Cairns and want a shed tour.

I'm in the spraying stages on a base ukulele made with a Western Red Cedar top. I'm pretty pleased with myself too, as it's the very first cedar top I've built with (and there have been quite a few) that I've not put a ding into at any stage of the construction.

Just remember, there are no dumb questions. Just a lot of jackass's that didn't bother to ask before stuffing something up. And I'd be guilty of that on more than one occasion.

[Jeremy D]

Thanks for the offer Allen, I might just take you up on that.

[ozziebluesman]

Hi Jeremy,

I'm just down the road a bit from Allen so if your in Townsville there is a beer and a shed tour here also.

Cheers

Alan

[lauburu]

BBK. Also very impressed with Brent at ASW. Stunning bearclaw sitka uke tops. They just need sanding and they'd be ready to frame and hang on the wall.
Allen. Pictures of the bass uke pls. Saw the rosette but very keen to see the rest. Tx

[Jeremy D]

Hi Jeremy,

I'm just down the road a bit from Allen so if your in Townsville there is a beer and a shed tour here also.

Cheers

Alan

Thanks guys. I have never been north of Bundy, starting to think I should

[nnickusa]

I organised a group buy of bear claw tops from Brent, and they got to Brunswick Heads in about 8 days. I've waited longer for a post card from melbourne.

I believe that Brent must be a majority shareholder in both USPS and AusPost, because it's like bloody magic!

If you're south of Bundy and ever end up in Bruns, I've probably got a coldie in the fridge, too

[Jeremy D]

I organised a group buy of bear claw tops from Brent, and they got to Brunswick Heads in about 8 days. I've waited longer for a post card from melbourne.

I believe that Brent must be a majority shareholder in both USPS and AusPost, because it's like bloody magic!

If you're south of Bundy and ever end up in Bruns, I've probably got a coldie in the fridge, too

Thank Nick. I am on the Gold Coast so not to far away. Nice part of the county that you live in. Lucky man.