Official Luthiers Forum!

Catalpa .
Any interest ?

Count me in if anyone has some!
I built a solidbody in catalpa years ago, and it was very nice sounding.
Looked nice, too.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

What does it look like?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Kinda like ash. The grain isn't quite as bold. Easy to work.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

i lived near Elgin, illinois, and curiously that town is full of catalpa; i don't notice it much anywhere else in the region.....showy white flowers in spring followed by giant leaves, other than that i can't comment on it's qualities as a timber but i would be intrigued to have a chunk

Count me in!

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Brad

If it's big enough for a quartersawn soundboard set, I'll give it a try. Bruce Sexauer has built some with it, and says it's great.

Wouldn't mind getting a few pieces for necks too. 1x3x24" quartersawn straight grain, plus some lower grade rift/flatsawn pieces for the heels (also 1x3", about 6" length per neck).

Maybe some 2x.75x14" ukulele necks as well, if there are any such pieces left over. No sense cutting large high-quality lumber into small bits. Ukuleles are meant to be made from scrap

I have some large boards that may be able to do 1 piece tops .
Might you be interested in any of that ?

Thanks for the input guys .
Gotta make some sawdust .
I'll post some pics and prices in the classifieds very soon .

Excellent. I went back and re-read Bruce Sexauer's old all-Catalpa guitar thread on the UMGF. When you are ready to sell, I will likely be interested in a couple of sets and neck blanks.

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George :-)

I built a guitar with catalpa and it came out rather well.

Depends on the price difference, but 1 piece plates are always cool

Began resawing this evening .
Pics tomorrow .
It was difficult to properly see what catalpa looks like until I began resawing .
Interesting color .
I will start another thread in the classifieds for the sets and establish a price .
Thanks for looking everyone .

I have several big pieces around here. I have not really looked at it for years. I was always taught it was rot-resistant(not rot-proof, but held up relatively well). I seem to remember that ash or sassafras- like grain with a very pungent, distinctive odor. Last I used I built an arched garden door for a friend, and also a box for burying a dog.
I remember my rough lumber took on a brown color over time, but that it was quickly removed by plane. I wonder what color it would tend towards under a finish over time? I seem to wonder if it might be similar to wood that shows up now and again called royal pawlonia- but I have never had any of that.