Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone have pros and cons re: the use of bocote as a fretboard and/or bridge?

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Pro: looks cool

Con: looks weird

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I have used Bocote as a fingerboard, it works fine, after two years it is wearing well and the frets are holding. The look does mellow a bit with age and use.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

I am firmly in the "looks weird" camp. I had some of this stuff sitting around in the shop and it is so gaudy, I finally hid it. I have no idea what its functional/acoustic properties might be.

J... I quit using Bocote... I developed a sensitivity to it... really nasty! I think it's just the dust that made it so bad, but it might be a concern for FBs and Bridges for some people. Others may have input about how toxic Bocote is to them.

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

I am with Howard on both of these points. Aesthetically, it can go either way, but this will be a personal guitar for me (first one in a long time), so for me, I lean more on the cool...or at least the "different, but not BAD different" side. I think I was/am more concerned with the functional properties of Bocote as a fretboard & bridge like tone, durability, and just plain feasibility of this as an option.
Good to know about the toxicity of it. I will continue to take precautions.
Thanks for the input.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

j, if you can get some that's well-quartered, the look is outstanding.
Bocote's medullary ray structure is as pretty--well, to me anyway--as that of maple. And then if you let it oxidize, or photo degrade , the look will be a rich dark brown.

I'd say go for it.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

You could always go with Ziricote, its close, and it would 'look cool'.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I