Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey folks,

Anyone got experience with Palo Escrito and Grenadillo? I'v got 2 sets of each and 2 sets of Sapele for my next six guitars, but I'm building with the Grenadillo at the moment. I haven't bent the sides yet. Any bending or finishing tips out of the ordinary? I built a bender and got the blanket and thermostat a couple weeks ago. LMI sent a couple practice sides (they look just like Luan) the didn't take the grand concert bend well, so I rebent with some succes. I have the second side cooling from being rebent a second time. I would imagine that this is about as far from ideal for "practice wood" as I can get.

Anyhow, If anyone's got experience with Grenadillo and Palo Escito, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks

I've got experience lusting after them.
Does that count?

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I must confess I have lusted in heart as well

It counts if you share it!!

BTW both were pretty cheap, esp compared to what I want to build with next. Macassar ebony, acacia (since it's a little chaper than Koa. BUT, with Bob's good selection and offering of tonewood, I'll keep an eye out on his stuff. Also I'm sure if I really wanted something special, SOMEONE on OLF would sell what I need.

Geez and i have some granadillo too. It is a dream to finish.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Oh here's what it looks like at 90K. Hope it posts...

Grenadillo before I joined the back.

Palo Escrito back before joining

Wacky Palo Escrito before joining back

I have built three Palo Escrito Guitars. Apparantly it is a very popular wood in Mexico among the Classical builders. I found it very easy to bend. Just watch you don't burn it. Also sometimes this blackish resin appears from the heat/bend process but sands off easily. I french polished two of the Palo's and used z-poxy on the third (have not gotten around to spraying it yet). It is a beautiful warm sounding wood, I think you will realy like it.

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

THanks Dave,

I appreciate the comment. I'm using an Engleman top looking for a fingerstyle gtr that inspires me.

What's the properties of the Grenadillo? LMI states it'll become popular with steel string, but as a classical builder I wonder about it's properties. I love Honduran Rosewood for classical, and the description for Grenadillo makes it sound similar, but who can really tell with that purple prose?

Here is a guitar I made from Grenadillo and some kind of top, I believe it was AD. It bends nicely, is nearly poreless, and sounds like Indian Rosewood. I bound this thing in KOA with bloodwood purflings.








Ah just for fun, here's the top.John Kinnaird38428.6266203704

I have used both and they are nice to work with. However, I made a back out of a set of Grenadillo that I got from LMII, and it was nearly identical with the photo of Terry's. I let the box set for about a month without finish and it distorted very, very badly. I had to remove the back and make a new one.. I wish you luck with those pieces!

John, beautiful guitar.

Beautiful guitar John. I love that entire look. Is the bridge granadillo too?

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Bob
   That bridge is brazilian, as is the fingerboard and peghead overlay.

Wow,

Frightening... what effect did environmental conditions seem to play? Your tone suggests that it was a problem with the wood. Ihaven't bent the sides yet, Ijust copied the side profile from another guitar yesterday, so I am close.

Currently my shop is really a little dry (37%) I know that will change shortly. I can keep the humidity down with my dehumidifier, but I don't have a large enough humidifier yet. (my shop occupies about 400sq ft in an open basement of about 1500 sq ft, we have forced hot air, no Central air) I have one humidifier in the living room so I don't zap my electronics. I need to keep my wood in a separate walk in closet where I keep all my guitars that I play. But they all have in case humidification. That will definitely change next year for sure. Humidifiers are not that expensive esp for a 7'X 8' room.

Any further detail you have is great. Thanks