Official Luthiers Forum!

So, I just finished thicknessing and bending my Primavera sides this evening. VERY hairy. It began to split on me a lot when getting it down to thickness, especially coming off of the end of the Saf-T-Planer.
It took quite a long time to bend, mostly because I think I was just being too cautious after the cracking and splitting off. A bending blanket and water sprized on. The end result was a fairly successful bend, with some mild cracking on the upper bout that I think I will be able to get rid of. It is in the mold with plenty of bracing and fingers crossed.
Verdict so far is that Primavera is very brittle and seemingly prone to cracking.
Anyone else have experience with Primavera? More or less luck than me?
I am hoping I won't have to go with a new back and sides as a result of some catastrophe halfway through the build. I really like the light color and the dark streaking in it. It will be a good match for my snakewood ammenity package.

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

man I thought you were talking about the pasta...mmmm....

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I recently finished a primavera dread with primavera neck. It was easy to bend with no cracking problems. All who have played it say it sounds great...I don't play just build!

Hi Dave, welcome to the OLF!

Serge

Oh, I forgot about one VERY distinctive aspect of Primavera...it smells just like popcorn when it is heated up. Pretty wierd.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Dave, how did you thickness and bend it?

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I wood like to see this popcorn-smellin' would.

I'll try and get some photos up after I get the cutaway bent and the heel and end blocks installed.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I have a 22-44 Performax that does a great job of sanding to thickness...I made a Fox type bender that works well with all woods. I have made 35 guitars since I began building about 2 years ago. I have not sold any guitars, but I have started a ministry to donate guitars to aspiring musicians in need of an instrument or churches in need of guitars for worship. I am a novice builder,but my guitars play and all are glad to have them. I have been building high end furniture for 35 years, so I have a shop full of Powermatic industrial size tools. I am truely blessed with a great shop!!
I will take some pics and put them on the forum.
Thanks for the welcome to the forum.