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| A tale of pink ivory http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=24755 |
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| Author: | Randolph [ Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | A tale of pink ivory |
I was visiting Portland over the weekend and went to Gilmer Wood Company to sniff around a bit. Great place with no shortage of spectacular wood. What I found was a piece of pink ivory that leapt at me in a way I couldn't say no to (when I put it back on the shelf it literally fell off onto the floor after I walked away). Now I have wanted a piece of pink ivory since the seventies when I read an article on the African tribe that holds the only trees of this kind sacred and revered. It seems that one only comes down with a ceremony or in a storm or such - hence the rarity. Even though I have had a fantasy to build a pink ivory guitar (no I'm not gay) and love the unbelievably exotic look of this stuff, I wasn't sure what I would do with this piece - most likely inlay for some orchids or something. Anyway, I finally had my piece of pink and actuallly felt a bit intoxicated by it. Do any of you experience this with wood? How do we become so attached to these single pieces of inanimate objects? If you saw my shop you would most likely agree that I don't need another piece of wood. I flew home on Sunday to a baggage carousel that did not contain my bags. The airlines didn't even have us listed as having checked bags. I was pretty mellow about it until I thought of the pink ivory. Now I was griefy. I waited almost 30 years to get a piece of this stuff and now apparently it evaporated into thin air. I know I could get another one but it somehow seemed to be an omen - like I wasn't meant to have it. Even my wife was more sad about this piece of wood than anything else in our bags. Before I run the risk of rambling further, I did get the call today that they found the bags in Chicago and we will get them back tomorrow - whew!! I'm still crossing my fingers. This little piece of wood is now destined for a very special headstock. Do I seem a bit strange or does anybody else feel for their wood? |
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| Author: | Haans [ Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Yes, I was fondly attached to PI and always wanted to make a mandolin with it. When my wife had cancer I had the perfect opportunity to build her a mandolin with the wood.    I ended up with about 30% waste (the ivory part), 'bout broke an arm carving it, and had a terrible time with the white top. The tone is very strong, but combined with Italian spruce, a bit harsh, like breaks glass. Were I to do it again, I would use German. Would I do it again? Don't think so... |
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| Author: | Bob Long [ Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Wow! Haans... Beautiful! PI buttons too? Very cool! One of my suppliers had a piece of Pink around for years... Huge! I think it was like 3 feet long, 4 or 5 inches thick and maybe 16 inches wide. It had an astronomical price on it. I don't remember the price because it was definitely out of my range. Someone with some serious WAS eventually hauled it away. |
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| Author: | Zach Ehley [ Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Check out the Petros Rose of Sharon. I have some pieces to do a similar scheme. I'm just keeping an eye out for some binding. Bob had some a few years ago, but its all gone. http://web.mac.com/petrosguitars/Site/M ... haron.html |
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| Author: | Erik Hauri [ Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Randolph wrote: (when I put it back on the shelf it literally fell off onto the floor after I walked away) You break it - you bought it.  I'll guess that Chris got his PI from the same place I shop at - they still have a fair stash of it. It has never floated my boat. Now a wild piece of bocote or coco with sapwood - that's what I'm all about. |
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| Author: | Erik Hauri [ Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
verhoevenc wrote: Actually, funnily enough, despite all the PI he has... I've never bought a single piece from him. His was always too pricey and the pieces, although sometimes large, in general aren't that nice. Chris Yeah, awhile back (2-3 years ago maybe) Todd Levy told me he came through and bought up a bunch of it - probably all the best stuff. 
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| Author: | Randolph [ Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Verhoevenc, no I it wasn't that piece. If there had of been any there long enough for binding stock I would have gotten that for sure. The piece is fairly small 8" x 10" but has amazing fiddleback grain and the most striking color/tone. When it fell to the floor it not only didn't break but there wasn't a dent or scratch on it. Haans, your mandolin is exquisite. A pink instrument is even better than I imagined - especially this one --- Bravo!! |
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| Author: | the Padma [ Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Randolph wrote: ... does anybody else feel for their wood? Feel for their wood...Oh ya...not only do me feel for it, me smell it, breath it, have long conversations with it, but me no get attached to it! Is like me gonna be long dead and rotted away before the wood self destructs so no may me not gonna get attached to it.  Gotta remember what the Buddha said about attachments. Blesssings the Padma |
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| Author: | Mattia Valente [ Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: A tale of pink ivory |
Todd Stock wrote: Poverty sucks...speaking of which, your avatar guitar is really on the auction block, Chris? Say it ain't so! At least the OM is safe...right? The OM's safely in the Netherlands, and a dang fine instrument. |
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