Top choices.

[nnickusa]

I'm sort-of planning my next build(or two), and have been using Sitka for the most part up till now. I also built my dread from recycled redwood.

What I have is a collection of tops. Sitka Spruce. Lutz Spruce. Italian Spruce. WRC. Tassie Macro(not a likely candidate, from what I've seen). Huon Pine.

I want to build a couple at a time, to try and reduce costs in de-humidifying, etc....(BTW, what a wet year around here). I have in mind two of the following.

1. A parlour, derived from Antes plans. Blackwood back and sides, Blackwood neck.
2. A Martin Style 5-ish. Blackwood back sides and neck as well.
3. A 14 fret 12-string. Ziricote back and sides. Qld. Maple(probably) neck.
4. A nylon string after Ramirez. Bubinga back and sides. Neck either Qld Maple, or some suggestion.

I guess what I want to do is to keep making different guitars for my own, and I haven't made any of these before. I've read lots regarding different characteristics of the top wood. I haven't much experience, so am looking for advice as to which of these tops I have on hand may suit one or more of these guitars better, and why?

I'm looking for any opinions at all, and am seeking to increase my "data base," if you will, on the characteristics of timber combinations. As always, Thanks for any advice and all opinions.

Oh, and in case anyone's interested, I'd be happy to start a build thread to show you all my often unorthodox approach....

Why don't we have a separate forum to document builds? I really enjoy watching how others make these things come together.....

[Bruce McC]

Hey Nick

My first build was a classical using Scott Antes Ramirez plans.
Top WRC, back and sides blackwood(plain), neck Spanish cedar
and EIR fingerboard. I was very happy with the end result
tone /sound wise. Of my five builds so far it is my favourite.

[DarwinStrings]

I would be interested to watch your builds Nick and would encourage anyone else to post build threads as I always find them entertaining (I have started watching the AGF of a evening to see more build threads, in fact Christian has a build thread of one of his Kiwi wooded builds at the moment and I look forward to his posts). This is the builders forum so no need to post them anywhere else. If your threads get ploughed under by build or repair questions simply take another pic of you next stage and bump your thread back to the lime light. Even if many don't respond in writing to the thread the watch count goes up so we are watching.

Jim

[auscab]

Yeah Nick , build threads are great ,go for it. I really like seeing them and agree with what Jim said.

There are some fantastic build threads back in the older pages here , some of Nick's and that one where Sergy built that lute on the furniture in his lounge room are jaw droppers among plenty of others as well .

This is Sergy's
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3611&hilit=lute

You have built a few now , but even if it is someones first build I would like to see them throwing on a build thread.

I want to do one for no 2.