Galaga_Mike Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 I've built about 3-4 guitars so I'm still in the training stages and I have the itch to build a LP Jr. I have had this bed headboard in my basement and got curious what type of wood it is. There is a huge slab of 4/4 hardwood in part of these headboards, and I have two of them. It feels hard with a "scratch test", it has a yellowish tint, has a relatively tight grain, chisels smoothly and easily. Any clues what it is and if it is any good for a guitar? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 (edited) i am no expert and will probably get shot down for this but it almost looks like poplar. does it have a laminate on the finished side? Edited October 29, 2012 by Tim37 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaga_Mike Posted October 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Good point, it does kind of look like poplar now that you mention it. Both sides of the headboard have a laminate, which looks to be a fairly think piece of walnut laminate (1/16" or so). I pulled the laminate away from one side to see what was underneath. You can see part of the splintered laminate in the shot. If it is poplar I would probably go for that. There are worse woods. Thanks! Anyone else have a guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Some sort of brownish wood no doubt... We can rule out purpleheart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 My first guess was poplar, too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Probably not cactus,either...not green enough... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Good point, it does kind of look like poplar now that you mention it. Both sides of the headboard have a laminate, which looks to be a fairly think piece of walnut laminate (1/16" or so). I pulled the laminate away from one side to see what was underneath. You can see part of the splintered laminate in the shot. If it is poplar I would probably go for that. There are worse woods. Thanks! Anyone else have a guess? ok poplar makes some since now it would make a good base to put a laminat over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotYou Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I immediately thought poplar at first glance. It can vary in color a lot, but that grain looks very much like poplar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Judging by the 60s-70s plastic trim, I'd guess MDF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Yeah you have to get that trim off.They rarely put that over solid wood.It could just be poplar plywood or another layer of veneer over MDF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 The boys have a point there, You need to run a saw thru the side somewhere & check out the overall construction of the board. The weight may be a good indicator aswell, but for now id slice a piece off & have a look inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 if you look to the left side of the pic at the back piece you can see on the edge a hair line where two boards are seperating. it also looks like the laminate is gone on that back piece atleast in the photo and thats wood for sure. im gonna go with solid wood with a thin laminate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaga_Mike Posted October 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I'm 90% sure it's a big slab of hardwood (and I'm now fairly convinced that it's poplar). The bed looks to be from the 40-50's. Mystery will be solved when I get home and take a saw to it. Stay tuned. Thanks to everyone for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaga_Mike Posted October 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Survey says: Solid 1" piece of hardwood. I don't have much experience with poplar, but it feels like the descriptions I've read. I'm so used to maple that it seems a little soft. TBD if I'll use it in a guitar. Thanks again to everyone for chiming in with the wood type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob123 Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Poplar is an absolute joy to work with man, dont be shy! Most under rated wood out there imo ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 (edited) Poplar is an exellent wood for a solid body and would be great when used with a P90 pickup like you'd expect to see in an LP Jr. I know Taylor has used poplar in their acoustics. Martin has been experementing with poplar for back/sides and for necks. It seems like poplar is becoming more popular due to the scarcity of some common "guitar" woods. Edited November 10, 2012 by zyonsdream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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