Pear Fretboards?

[bz2]

Hello!

I am new here and I have a question.

I am building a guitar and I am thinking of making the fretboard out of pear wood. Has anybody had any experience with it? Can it be oiled or do does it have to be laquered??

Best regards.

[SwedishLuthier]

Robban Sahrling at Ares Guitars uses all sorts of wood for fretboards (and necka ans bodies too). Send him a mail from his page http://www.aresguitar.se/

He is very frendly and have answered some questions i have asked about odd woods.

[bz2]

Thanks for the link, great guitars

I tried to mail him but I only got a "deliverance failure" mail back.. I will try again later..

[bz2]

Has anybody else tried it?

[fryovanni]

Has anybody else tried it?

I can't say I have tried it as a fretboard. What is it about Pear wood that leads you to think it will make a good fretboard for your project? (take that as a totally dry question). I am just wondering what properties Pear wood has that tell you it is the best choice for your guitar(density, durability, stability, stiffness, look, feel...).

Peace,Rich

[bz2]

Has anybody else tried it?

I can't say I have tried it as a fretboard. What is it about Pear wood that leads you to think it will make a good fretboard for your project? (take that as a totally dry question). I am just wondering what properties Pear wood has that tell you it is the best choice for your guitar(density, durability, stability, stiffness, look, feel...).

Peace,Rich

I have heard that it is quite a good replacement for ebony and since I am trying to use only woods that grow naturally where I live it seems like the best. It has quite high density and durabillity. Also, think it looks nice. I am just a little curious if i can oil it or if it's easy or hard to work with. Just som general ideas about it.

[fryovanni]

Yup, high density and durability. It also has extreamly fine pores and takes a nice high polish. It is sought after for wind instruments because it handles moisture changes very well. I think it would be a great choice for fretboards. It may not hide dirt and grime as well as a darker wood, but should do just fine with a nice polish and oil finish. You don't see the wide use of fruit tree woods for guitars, although generally they have good properties. I would imagine that has more to due with availability (there value as a fruit producer makes it less viable as a commercial hardwood). I would pick some up if it became available to me locally.

Peace,Rich

[bz2]

Yup, high density and durability. It also has extreamly fine pores and takes a nice high polish. It is sought after for wind instruments because it handles moisture changes very well. I think it would be a great choice for fretboards. It may not hide dirt and grime as well as a darker wood, but should do just fine with a nice polish and oil finish. You don't see the wide use of fruit tree woods for guitars, although generally they have good properties. I would imagine that has more to due with availability (there value as a fruit producer makes it less viable as a commercial hardwood). I would pick some up if it became available to me locally.

Peace,Rich

Thanks for the information!

It seems like a very good choice. I think that I will have to live with it getting dirty, just have to clean it more often

[j. pierce]

I was under the impression that dyed pear wood has often been used for violin type instrument fingerboards as a replacement for ebony on many an occasion. (And if I understand correctly, not just on "budget" instruments.) I could very well be mis-informed, however.

[liquid_gabe]

I know that pear is specifically recommended for fretboards in one of the several guitar building books I own.

[jaycee]

what does it smell like?

[Nitefly SA]

what does it smell like?

......pears