Official Luthiers Forum!
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/

Bearclaw Bracewood
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=39364		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  natalieswango [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Bearclaw Bracewood
I recently got a shipment of bracewood that contained quite a few pieces with Bearclaw. They are straight-grained, tight-grained and split nicely, but they have bearclaw figure. What is the general opinion of you guys and girls about using Bearclaw material for braces? I would sell them stating that they did have Bearclaw, but am wondering about if anyone has any experience or opinions about them structurally.

Natalie
Author:  wbergman [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I have never used bearclaw, so I am just guessing.

Bearclaw is used for tops, which have the greatest risk for runout failure, but bearclaw seems OK. So, maybe beraclaw is not a risk for braces. Test pieces for runout, as you would any brace wood.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I'm led to believe that bear claw has a lower strength/weight ratio than its straight grained counterpart. As well, I could imagine that it would be harder to carve with planes and chisels than straight grained wood. I wouldn't buy it.
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Use it and take pictures of the completed bearclaw braces before closing the top.

Call it "rare" and charge extra for it.

Post reports of people listening to the guitar without knowing it had bearclaw bracing, and they thought there was something special about the tone, but they couldn't QUITE put their finger on it. It was just different somehow, but in a GOOD way. Almost....magical!!

When you run out, sell the last 2 guitars that have the bracing for $30,000 each.
Author:  George L [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
If this is the Natalie Swango I think it is, she's not asking because she's about to build a couple of guitars.

I'm not among the experts here, Natalie, but I wouldn't want to use that wood.
Author:  WendyW [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I would think that it would have an effect on the carving of the braces. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it, but I would want to know that was what I was getting in my order.
Wendy
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
natalieswango wrote:
I recently got a shipment of bracewood that contained quite a few pieces with Bearclaw. They are straight-grained, tight-grained and split nicely, but they have bearclaw figure. What is the general opinion of you guys and girls about using Bearclaw material for braces? I would sell them stating that they did have Bearclaw, but am wondering about if anyone has any experience or opinions about them structurally.

Natalie


NO
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
How much of the stuff do you have Natalie? I would be interested in using some for my marquetry and inlay work :)

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  John Arnold [ Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I have used it many times. IMHO, it is perfectly fine for bracing, and is no more difficult to carve than spruce without bearclaw.
.
Author:  Ron Belanger [ Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I agree with Todd
Author:  John Arnold [ Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Quote:
if bear claw tops are a little less stiff along grain and a little stiffer across grain,

Where does that information come from? I have not noticed any difference, provided the density is the same.
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I kinda want a few batches.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
lex_luthier wrote:
natalieswango wrote:
I recently got a shipment of bracewood that contained quite a few pieces with Bearclaw. They are straight-grained, tight-grained and split nicely, but they have bearclaw figure. What is the general opinion of you guys and girls about using Bearclaw material for braces? I would sell them stating that they did have Bearclaw, but am wondering about if anyone has any experience or opinions about them structurally.

Natalie


NO


Let me elaborate: IMO if there's one part of a guitar that needs to be made from material with even and consistent strength and stiffness, it's the top bracing. It is an application where using wood as a reliable and consistent engineering material is paramount. There is no advantage to using bracewood with random and varying figure like bearclaw, and plenty of downside if that figure happens to fall in the wrong place.
Author:  JasonMoe [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I'd rather have figure than runout like some bracing I got from LMI. Image
Author:  JasonMoe [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
I split all my bracing now. I was using up some expensive bracing blocks from LMI . I barely touched the brace and it cracked. I did build a guitar with the same wood. I'm scared now.
Author:  Bobc [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Todd Stock wrote:
JasonMoe wrote:
I split all my bracing now. I was using up some expensive bracing blocks from LMI . I barely touched the brace and it cracked. I did build a guitar with the same wood. I'm scared now. So now what if that guitar fails. Is LMI going to give a poop, no. Its my fault. I buy my bracing from mario decosta now, its all hand split. And when I get it, its all quartered.


But did Mario do that thing where he danced backwards around the tree with his underwear pulled up over his head just before cutting? That makes a difference. Suspect LMI just does not have enough sawyers that can self-administer a Super Wedgie....takes years of skill development and dedicated practice, and a talent for getting folks to dedicate their time to your training.


laughing6-hehe
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Hi Natalie,
People so often cuss about the imagined failings of the brace wood they get that if I was a supplier I would be afraid to sell anything out of the ordinary as bracewood.
Are the pieces large enough to market as stock for end blocks or such? Then let the "bold" luthiers use it for braces as they see fit [:Y:]
It hasn't been that many years ago that bearclaw in soundboards was looked upon as a downgrade in quality.
Author:  mqbernardo [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Todd Stock wrote:
But did Mario do that thing where he danced backwards around the tree with his underwear pulled up over his head just before cutting?
+1 laughing6-hehe ... mean ... but funny!
Author:  CharlieT [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Todd Stock wrote:
But did Mario do that thing where he danced backwards around the tree with his underwear pulled up over his head just before cutting? That makes a difference. Suspect LMI just does not have enough sawyers that can self-administer a Super Wedgie....takes years of skill development and dedicated practice, and a talent for getting folks to dedicate their time to your training.

Oh no...that's an image I really don't want to think about. :shock: laughing6-hehe
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
JasonMoe wrote:
I split all my bracing now. I was using up some expensive bracing blocks from LMI . I barely touched the brace and it cracked. I did build a guitar with the same wood. I'm scared now. So now what if that guitar fails. Is LMI going to give a poop, no. Its my fault. I buy my bracing from mario decosta now, its all hand split. And when I get it, its all quartered.


Careful, you've caught the attention of the Four Horsemen of the OLF now by using the "M" word favorably! (Second in offense only to using the "C" word favorably!)

Expect derision on all your posts now.

Only two have chimed in so far, but the rest will be along shortly. Hopefully I can distract them enough so they forget about you and you can escape.
Author:  Alain Moisan [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Todd Stock wrote:
Jason: Runout looks pretty moderate on that stick of brace wood, so thinking wind shakes, etc. as the more likely cause of the early break.


My thoughts as well.
Author:  JasonMoe [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Remember the whole Moonwood thing. Cutting down a tree during a full moon will produce better wood. Ha Ha
Author:  mqbernardo [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Todd Stock wrote:
Mean? Huh? Pretty sure I saw it in one of his YouTube vids.
well, it struck me that way (like high school mean), and it was funny that way - but maybe there´s a language barrier somewhere. now i just got stuck with the image of mr. da costa with briefs in his head, thanks a lot.
Author:  Tim Hammett [ Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
If John Arnold says it's okay, I'd go along with him. He's been do'in this stuff longer'n most of us have been around.
John, .... I'm not say'n yer old, just 'experienced'.
Author:  natalieswango [ Mon Feb 18, 2013 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bearclaw Bracewood
Thanks for the feedback guys and the humor thrown in. I should lurk here more often. If anyone wants to test a couple pcs of this stock, let me know and I'll send it out. You can private message me with an address.

FYI, if you have trouble with LMI's brace stock or anything else, call or email and we'll do our level best to get the issue resolved.

Natalie - LMI
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/