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 Post subject: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:10 pm 
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City: Quakertown
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I am gearing up to start a scratch build out of Black Walnut and was curious whether or not it would be wise if I constructed the guitar with Walnut Neck and heel blocks. I know that it is accetable to use it for a neck but haven't heard it mentioned for neck or heel blocks. Anyone with experience?


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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:40 pm 
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First name: Chris
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I don't see why you couldn't use walnut for your blocks. The biggest things you want to consider is the grain direction (with the sides) and the weight. I say go for it.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:15 pm 
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Walnut makes good necks too.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:10 pm 
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It will work fine for blocks and makes nice necks.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:21 pm 
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The ghost of C.F. Martin will rise up fro the floor and tell you that mahogany is cheap and plentiful, and therefore you shouldn't bother using anything else. Then put all your guitars slightly out of tune, and return to his slumber.

Other than that, it works about as well as anything.


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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:36 pm 
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I have used it for blocks, and it works great.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:45 pm 
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I use Walnut for blocks and necks and like it alot. It's a plus for me because i have tons of it. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:58 pm 
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Just finishing one with black walnut sides, back, neck and tail blocks, kerfed linings, and neck. It's a little heavier than mahogany, but otherwise is fine.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:03 pm 
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Great! [:Y:] Thanks All! Just what I wanted to hear.

I will probably laminate a few pieces for the Neck block ( I know, it will add some weight), but it I were to use a solid piece, I would hanker a guess that rift sawn would be better than quarter?

Thanks,
Scott


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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:19 pm 
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First name: Tim
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Here's one with walnut back, sides, and neck. Also used a walnut bridge, stained black.

I've made two necks from walnut. While it goes a little slower than Honduras mahogany I found it a pleasure to carve.


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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:48 pm 
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DennisK wrote:
The ghost of C.F. Martin will rise up fro the floor and tell you that mahogany is cheap and plentiful, and therefore you shouldn't bother using anything else. Then put all your guitars slightly out of tune, and return to his slumber.


laughing6-hehe Love it!

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:27 pm 
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Quote:
I will probably laminate a few pieces for the Neck block ( I know, it will add some weight), but it I were to use a solid piece, I would hanker a guess that rift sawn would be better than quarter?

Rift sawn would be ideal, but most of the blocks I have used were QS, with no problems.
I don't think laminating will add much weight, unless some of the laminations are some other denser wood.

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 Post subject: Re: Walnut?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:37 pm 
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Well I just made a guitar with a black walnut back, sides, AND top. and it sounds marvelous. But I've never made a neck with it before; it's something I plan to do tho.


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