Lancewood for a uke?

[Shane Woonton]

Hi guys,

A colleague who plays in the Wellington ukelele orchestra has had a large lancewood come down on his property and asked me if I knew whether it could be used to make a uke. Now, since I would not know a lancewood from a lacewood I thought I'd put the question to the forum.

Anyone ever built anything from lancewood? My understanding is it is unusual for a Lancewood to grow large enough to make instruments from but he insists this tree would be big enough for a uke.

Any experience?

Cheers,

Shane

[Shane Woonton]

Searching the net I found there seem to be a number of "lancewoods" around. So, to clarify, I'm talking about the classic NZ native pseudopanax crassifolius..... I think

Shane

[Nick]

Must have been in the ground for a while Shane as like you, I've only ever known them to be suitable for pencils! I think a trunk of 100mm's would be about the biggest I've seen.
As to it's suitability I wouldn't know, Christian is our NZ Native go to guy so he may chime in or perhaps a PM to him? I'd say it would be stable enough for ukes but that is only a guess.

[Shane Woonton]

Thanks Nick. Good idea, I will drop Christian an email.

Shane

[christian]

Hi Shane,

I'm with Nick, I have only ever seen pencil thin lancewood, that's not to say they don't grow big but it seems unlikely.
I'm racking my brain as to think what else it could be.....perhaps a Rewarewa? they can get big enough for uke's and Guitars.

A saw cut and pic will reveal all.

Cheers,

Christian.

[Shane Woonton]

Thanks Christian. I'll see if I can get some pics of the tree. He's going to get a mate to mill the timber so I might even be able to get hold of a section. Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers,

Shane

[christian]

Good stuff Shane hope it all goes well!! if it is by chance rewa rewa make sure it is quartersawn!!! amazing grain, and tonally fantastic. Can be tricky to dry though.

Cheers,

Christian.

[Shane Woonton]

Hi Christian,

You're right. I have a block of rewarewa which I am using on a guitar with your rimu b&S and puriri fretboard. It's in the rosette, end strip and possibly the pickguard. It is stunning stuff! (as is your heart rimu!!). Should be able to post pics of the finished instrument next week.

Shane

[christian]

Hi Shane,

Rewarewa on Rimu looks great, I eagerly look forward to seeing the finished guitar.

cheers,

Christian.