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Enduro-Var, black sassafras
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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Bought this set from RC Tonewoods on a whim. Top from Alaska Specialty.
Author:  Michael Lloyd [ Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
That's striking! A beauty!
Author:  edstrummer [ Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Very stricking figure in the sassafras . Looks awesome

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Author:  Joe Beaver [ Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
That's a beauty!!!

Post some more pics when you get her finished up
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Thanks. Will do. I think I'll do more with this wood. Beautiful chocolates!
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Tue Apr 11, 2017 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
That's lovely!
Author:  Durero [ Tue Apr 11, 2017 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Wow - very nice!

+1 for more pics!
Author:  Mike Collins [ Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Beautiful !
RC tonewoods are great to deal with !

Mike
Author:  Doc [ Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Very nice!!
Author:  truckjohn [ Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
That really is beautiful stuff. You have done a fine job on that finish.
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Really pretty wood, but first I've ever heard of "black" sassafras -- wonder what it is? The common NA sassafras is sometimes called "red" or "white" sassafras. "Blackheart" sassafras is from the Southern Hemisphere, a totally unrelated genus (the Aussies are fond of naming their timbers after unrelated northern hemisphere species) but that sure doesn't look like BHS. I really wish tonewood dealers would quit making up names for timber (sorry, professional pet peeve).


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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
I dunno. I could have gotten it wrong. Maybe Bob from RC will chime in.
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 2:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Did you have to porefill? From the pic it looks like sizeable pores, in which case it's definitely not the Aussie blackheart sassafras -- which doesn't require porefill beyond a sealer.


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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
From RC Tonewood:

"Blackheart Sassafras Botanical Name: Atherosperma Moschatum Of all Tasmanian timbers, sassafras has the most variable and dynamic colouring. It is a beautiful and pale creamy grey to white normally but can be streaked with rich browns and black heart. So, it is available in two major groupings; Golden sassafras and Blackheart sassafras. Finishing to a grey and golden tone, golden sassafras is particularly attractive as a veneer or as a solid timber with knots providing figure. If the tree is infected with a staining fungus it produces Blackheart sassafras. Blackheart is a timber with distinctive dark brown, black, and even green streaks running through the wood. While the wood is light and strong, it is rather soft and easily worked. Sassafras grows as an understorey species in lower altitude wet forests throughout Tasmania. It is not related to the timbers known as sassafras that grow on mainland Australia. It is an aromatic evergreen tree with some quite distinctive qualities; the bark, sap, and associated oils are highly aromatic and smell like cinnamon, while its leaves have a strong sarsaparilla scent. The leaves are dark green, turning yellow as the tree ages. The best trees are found in gullies where Sassafras may reach 45m in height and almost a metre in diameter. Sassafras is a component of wet eucalypt forest and young rain forest where it may live for up to 150 - 200 years. A strikingly dramatic Australian timber with a cream-colored sapwood and wild reddish brown heartwood. Light strong and easily worked.Bends easily with little to no springback."
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 8:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Tim Mullin wrote:
Did you have to porefill? From the pic it looks like sizeable pores, in which case it's definitely not the Aussie blackheart sassafras -- which doesn't require porefill beyond a sealer.


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Yes on the pore fill.
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Mike O'Melia wrote:
Tim Mullin wrote:
Did you have to porefill? From the pic it looks like sizeable pores, in which case it's definitely not the Aussie blackheart sassafras -- which doesn't require porefill beyond a sealer.


Yes on the pore fill.

It's the pores requiring fill that don't jive with BHS. Indeed, BHS is also extremely easy to bend -- probably the easiest I've ever had in my shop. Colours can be hugely variable. If the the fungus is well established, one gets dramatic fine black lines, but this can also produce instability and a tendency to crack (ask how I know). I did indeed use a single coat of West 105/207 on this guitar, not for the pores but hoping to stabilise the spalting. I failed.
Image


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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
I want some of that. Where do u order urs from?
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
Mike O'Melia wrote:
I want some of that. Where do u order urs from?

All the wood in that guitar, except for the Lutz top, came from Tim Spittle at http://www.australiantonewoods.com: blackheart sassafras, jarrah, tiger myrtle and Queensland maple, purchased just before my move from NZ to Kenya. Tim is a stellar supplier and I'd buy from him again in a heartbeat -- reminds me a lot of Shane Neifer.
But, do take note that the spectacular black lines on that guitar are unstable areas that haven't tolerated humidity changes -- quite a disappointment. I wouldn't use spalting that extreme again. I'm considering some restoration work on that instrument, as it is no longer "showable" (its original purpose), nor is it saleable. Unfortunately, back in Canada I no longer have access to the New Zealand precat polyester finish, so not sure how it will respond.


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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Apr 16, 2017 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Enduro-Var, black sassafras
I was wondering about that. I have some beautiful spalted maple that worries me. Maybe the way to go with spalted stuff is to laminate it. ??
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