Thread: Mixing Tonewoods to Build a Baritone? TIPS?

[QUOTE=Just_the_tip;1433269]Hi all,,

I've been contemplating an acoustic build for a while now and am currious to whether mixing tone woods will produce the sound i desire most?

Would using a tight wood (Maple probably) for my top/sides and something similar to rosewood for the back/neck be a good combo? (my reasoning is that the lower tone from the rosewood may give a nice in between tone,slightly lower than average but not a bass)..plz let me know if im WAY OFF

I'm looking to replace my recently pawned barritone (unconsoleable) but havent seen any posts from anyone who has posted tips from their builds... Long time tickler but wood is my life so machinery is no issue!

Any help is NOT taken for granted ive aleady soaked in so much good info from this thread!

Maple is not your traditional top wood. However, I've seen it used and reported that it gives a bright and crisp response. However, I don't know that you'll want that in a baritone.

I have been reading and studying how to build dulcimers . From what i have gathered the tighter the grain the lowder and harder the sound. The softer the wood the softer and mellower the sound

In the United States, the Deering Banjo Company makes two models of their Sierra bluegrass, 5-string banjo. One is maple, the other is mahogany. You have a choice. There is general agreement that the maple model is a brighter sound, no matter which (light/medium/heavy) string set you use. Mine in mahogany with medium strings. Took a year to find the string brand (d'Addario) after monthly changes but that's the sound which I expected to hear.

People have used all sorts of things on acoustic guitars... If you want to use a maple top... go right ahead.. It's not usually the preferred top on acoustics, though... It tends to be kinda heavy... and as such - not quite what you might be after... On the other hand.. it might be just what you are looking for....

If this is your first acoustic build... I might start off with a fairly conventional construction... Spruce top, Normal, quartersawn unfigured wood for the back and sides.... If you build a more or less standard Dread of J200 construction, modified for the 28" scale - it will make just what the doctor ordered for a Baritone...

Tone wise.. my own opinion is that the effect of the back and sides is quite subtle... More than anything else - you hear the Pick, then Strings, then Saddle and nut, then Bridge, then Top.... Since it's your first... With that in mind - pick something that is nonporous (easy to finish), easy to work, and easy to bend...

Thanks

truckjohn has given you good advice!