70sguy Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Can anyone tell me why you never see teak used in guitar building? I have some really nice looking teak I would like to use for a fret board. I know its oily but gorilla glue works well with that. Any objections? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticraft Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I cant see why you cant use it and it must be hard wearing if they use it for decks on boats. I have an off cut I will use for an acoustic bridge in the future. People tend to get hung up about using the traditional woods but I have used Pacific Rosewood for a fingerboard on an acoustic and Kwila for the body of a Les Paul Junior. I actually really like the combination of Kwila body and Sapelle neck. Gives a nice bright sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Bob at legra guitars built one out of teak http://www.legraguitars.co.uk/ab602.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odin Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Using Burmese Teak these days, does not sound good to me. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...nited%20Nations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 no its definately not, but in bob's defense he does state that the wood came from a recycled bar top. I think that makes it ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Ever tapped teak? It's heavy, very tough on tools, difficult to varnish/paint because of the oils in there, and really not particularly resonant. Add price (expensive, even plantation grown stuff), and you're looking at a decidedly less than ideal wood to be turning into an instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GermanFafian Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Using Burmese Teak these days, does not sound good to me. The tragedies of our days. If we keep going this fast we are gonna have to start making guitars out of plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 (edited) Sorry to tell you but that gets done on a regular basis... I've used acrylic many a time in my shop! Teak isn't used alot because it generally doesn't have a grain pattern that most people find interesting. However, that link listed above is an exception to that. I built a great guitar out of black walnut and when I presented to its new owner an onlooker said, "that looks like my kitchen cabinets" so it would seem that the beauty of wood is subject to the person looking at it. other than being a pain to work it, it will work for you so if you have some nice teak, use it up! If you don't like the way it sounds you can always use it for a boat oar I'd stay as far away from Gorilla glue as you can but that debate has been gone over and over on this site! Edited November 5, 2007 by zyonsdream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_rising Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Using Burmese Teak these days, does not sound good to me. The tragedies of our days. If we keep going this fast we are gonna have to start making guitars out of plastic. Sad but true. It is a shame about the Teak. Not that I have ever really thought about it but it just goes to show how we need to preserve our wood supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Preston Swift Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I cant see why you cant use it and it must be hard wearing if they use it for decks on boats. I have an off cut I will use for an acoustic bridge in the future. People tend to get hung up about using the traditional woods but I have used Pacific Rosewood for a fingerboard on an acoustic and Kwila for the body of a Les Paul Junior. I actually really like the combination of Kwila body and Sapelle neck. Gives a nice bright sound. what's Kwila, and Pacific Rosewood. I've never heard of these before. Do you have any links to examples of work with these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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