Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood recognition

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Expert: - 6/15/2010


Question
I am looking to buy a guitar from USA (im in UK) which is part built unfinished project. We (the seller included) are having trouble working out the wood from which it has been made. I am fairly sure the soundboard is Cedar but I am not sure about the body. I see the Acoustic properties of wood so not hearing it could be a costly mistake. Im fairly sure you can recognise it as quick as I do chord progressions. This is it. Thanks
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370397276840&ssPageName=ADME:...

Ps im a Senior network engineer and am truly jealous of your career, sounds so much more satisfying than mine.

Answer
While always difficult to tell by photos, it does look like the body is flat sawn Walnut, and the sound board could be a Spruce, or perhaps A Cedar (Spanish or Eastern White).While not an expert in Guitars I can tell you that acoustically, all three of those would be almost exactly the same density, and they would exhibit very similar timbre and acoustic properties....the actual thickness of the top, and the integral bracing, (usually carved out of the back as it's shaped) will also contribute to the sound, as well as even the finish used. These characteristics will also change slightly as the guitar ages.....It's beautiful, and if i was a betting man, I would bet it'll sound beautiful- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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