RGman Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 All the usual info: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pls/portal30/do...TREES/TAN27.HTM I used to work with a lot of Victorian Ash when i was working in the furniture industry, and have a little bit for possible use for guitar building. Anyway, does anyone know what this timber sounds like as a body wood? (did a search and it seems it sounds like American Ash, even though not related) and is it usable as a neck material? I also have an amount of other joinery timber, including merbau and durian that may have it's uses too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 All the usual info: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pls/portal30/do...TREES/TAN27.HTM I used to work with a lot of Victorian Ash when i was working in the furniture industry, and have a little bit for possible use for guitar building. Anyway, does anyone know what this timber sounds like as a body wood? (did a search and it seems it sounds like American Ash, even though not related) and is it usable as a neck material? I also have an amount of other joinery timber, including merbau and durian that may have it's uses too. This is Tassie Oak. Depending on who you talk to, its either identical to Vic Ash (renamed), or its pretty closely related. Not as bright as maple. Absolute pain to carve, finish, and sand. I wouldnt use it for a neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_labb Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 im pretty sure maton use it for some of their tops. that is a beautiful guitar rhoads, but i expect that level from you after seeing some of your stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Nah, dont think ive ever seen a Maton with a vic ash top, and im the warranty guy, and friends with the custom shop manager Couldnt find any mention of Vic ash or tassie oak on their website at all. Well, maybe they may have used it on some electrics, but definately not acoustics. Its very prone to splitting, so thinner sections wouldnt work so well (acoustic tops, sides and backs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete13606 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 (edited) Not as bright as maple. Absolute pain to carve, finish, and sand. I wouldnt use it for a neck. Not trying to take this too far off topic but...........why would ash be difficult to use for a neck.......or fingerboard for that matter? Edited July 17, 2007 by Pete13606 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Strength (bad weight to strength ratio), ability to withstand constant stress (weak), openness of grain (huge pores and open grain fibres), ability to withstand moisture (little to none), ability to carve/rout etc (poor), weight (heavy). If you want to use it, go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete13606 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Strength (bad weight to strength ratio), ability to withstand constant stress (weak), openness of grain (huge pores and open grain fibres), ability to withstand moisture (little to none), ability to carve/rout etc (poor), weight (heavy). If you want to use it, go for it. Thanks for the info.Wonder how Tobias gets away with it for some of his recent necks.Maybe heavy duty trussrod or some other reinforcement(s). Ok done "hijacking"!! Thanks Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 The topic is on Victorian Ash, not American Ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete13606 Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 The topic is on Victorian Ash, not American Ash. Sorry my fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_labb Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 (edited) Nah, dont think ive ever seen a Maton with a vic ash top, and im the warranty guy, and friends with the custom shop manager Couldnt find any mention of Vic ash or tassie oak on their website at all. Well, maybe they may have used it on some electrics, but definately not acoustics. Its very prone to splitting, so thinner sections wouldnt work so well (acoustic tops, sides and backs). sorry, i meant droptop on an electric, but i may still be incorrect edit:its actually victorian blackwood as opposed to ash, who would of thought more than 1 wood grew in victoria Edited July 18, 2007 by black_labb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I knew in the back of my mind you'd be talking about blackwood Blackwood is fine for necks, bodies, etc. Very Koa and Mahogany like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Whoa Bit of early morning confusion there. Okay, no Victorian Ash/Tassie Oak for necks, Maybe bodies or cheap figured tops. Thanks for the help Perry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Okay, no Victorian Ash/Tassie Oak for necks, Maybe bodies or cheap figured tops. Okay, no Victorian Ash/Tassie Oak for necks, Maybe bodies or AUSTRALIAN figured tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Thanks for your correction, i should probably leave posting until i wake up properly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 i am giving it a try on a project right now just carved a bolt on neck out of a pice of 1/4 cut i found --- does seem a bit whippy but no fret board on yet if its really crap i will build one out of maple it is prone to tearout during routing if you hit it hard with a orbital sander it can tear big bits out of the surface it is a pain to finish as the grain is pretty open but no worse than mahogany or swamp ash. works nice with hand tools and for the price you pay for premium i dunno whether its really worth the issues will post back with the finished guitar btw jim dyson uses it and his guitars are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 Thanks, tell us how it goes. I know how shocking it is for routing as a lot of the timber i see go through the CNC eventually splits around the edges of the route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz tradie Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 G'day RG. In regards to Tas. oak/ Vic. ash tops on Maton electrics, they do exist. The 2000dlx I own has one on it and it's a ripper. I agree on the limited use for it but nevertheless I'm going to experiment on necks and chambered bodies for the hell of it. Could end up a stinker or could be a pleasant surprise!!! cheers, Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGman Posted July 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I may give it a try, i have a fair bit of it so i won't lose anything by trying it i guess. Nice guitar you have there stu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 I found a real light piece of vic ash at a local yard that gave a nice tap and got it do a tele in solid colour it does look pretty plain with just a clear coat..... it is so light but still hard and looks like a normal piece till you pick it up i reckon like a previous poster that it would be usefull in chambered bodies with a fancy top be good to keep an eye on builds using this easy to get timber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_ado Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 mmmmmmmmmmmm.................maton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz tradie Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 mmmmmmmmmmmm.................maton I also live a couple of kilometres from the Maton factory and drive past it every day for work. he he he Just thought I'd rub it in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_ado Posted July 18, 2007 Report Share Posted July 18, 2007 dam times like this i hate people from melbourne your just dam lucky you have a giant maze to redeem yourselves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AprilEthereal777 Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 This timber in figured form is amazing and in my opinion leaves American Maple for dead in terms of appearance and figure. I am yet to discover it's tonal qualities (or lack thereof) but visually, it is amazing. I am sure the tone will be ok sittting on a blackwood body....just a matter of tweaking the electronics to get the tone you're after....here is a bookmatched tas oak/vic ash top I am working on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 That's a super pretty slab o' wood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 (edited) Google it, theres lots of AU sites including guitar sites with info on it. For what it's worth I used Ash ( not sure what type tho ) as the neck of my strat and so far its fine, probably a good 12months now Edited August 2, 2007 by jaycee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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