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Greetings,

I have gone through the 340 previous posts that mention poplar in one way or the other, but did not find the information that I wanted. I am buying some killer "rainbow" poplar to use for some small pieces of furniture my wife wants me to construct. Has anyone ever used poplar for backs and sides? Let me know what you think. Pictures would be nice. Saw discussions on poplar necks, kerfing, lining, etc. but not a good discussion on backs and sides.

Thanks for your help
Ken

Hi Ken,
I am of the mind that if I have some wood that I like, I will try to make a guitar out of it.
Certainly Poplar, especially if it looks "killer" can be used for the backs, sides, neck of a guitar.
I usually reserve tops for Spruce or some other more resonant wood.
If I had some Poplar and it rang when I tapped it, I would try it. A person should try what they like.
Guitar building should be fun, and it really isn't that much work to build one.

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If it's tulip poplar (liriodendron tuliperfera) it will probably work a lot like butternut - a relatively soft hardwood. Some of the colors will fade a bit over time, the white wood turning a light tan and green areas fading to a darker tan, purple mineral streaks should retain some color and overall an attractive appearance.
Taylor built 400 guitars with poplar bodies - the liberty tree series from a poplar found in Annapolis Md.. You can hear it on you tube.

Poplar has been used for years as a tonewood. A lot of those budget guitars that came out of places like Chicago and companies like Harmony use poplar for bodies and necks. It was used for painted guitars or veneers where placed over it to improve looks. I have built a few electric bodies with it that were painted. It's a good wood thats easy to work but just not as attractive as some others in my opinion...MIke

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It's too soft. Not dense. But that does not mean u should not try it. Have some fun with it.

Too soft?
I assume this is yellow-poplar ('rainbow'), which is harder than Sitka spruce. The true poplars (Populus genus) are softer.
The low density can make a lightweight guitar, which some people favor.

I built one butternut guitar that worked just fine. I also used it for the neck. Butternut is softer and easier to work than yellow-poplar.

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John

I'd go for it (for back and sides).

My first guitar was made with another "unconventional" softish hardwood, silver maple. After about 10 years the guitar sounds great, has a "mapleish" clear, loud tone, and for certain styles of music is just right.

Agree with other post about the top, though. I would stick with spruce, cedar, etc.

Sorry I don't have a picture, but Martin Brunkalla, a local luthier and band mate of mine, plays a 5 string violin that he made from popular. I don't know what kind of popular but it is very light in color and has beautiful curl. He left the entire instrument blonde and it is visually striking and has a great tone.

Kent