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1st May 2016, 03:05 PM #1Member
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Has anyone tried Tasmanian Myrtle for a fretboard?
Heya everybody, I'm probably going to start on a couple of electric ukes soon and I'm curious as to whether or not I'd be able to use some of the Tasmanian Myrtle I have lying around for some fretboards. Thanks!
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1st May 2016, 06:20 PM #2
I have used a few timbers that are not traditional but not Myrtle. Sasafrass and blackwood have worked so myrtle should do. I guess it is all a question of how long it lasts. Harder the wood the less it will ware.
Regards
John
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18th November 2016, 11:52 AM #3New Member
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Is there any reason WA Wandoo timber couldn't be used ?
Its a very hard timber used in the past for stock yard fencing etc.
Cheers,
Chris
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19th November 2016, 12:05 AM #4
I would suggest no as I made a desk out of some a couple years ago and it may be a little soft for that use.
It is beautiful timber to work and I am happy with my desk but it does bruise and ding a lot more easily than I expected. I would suggest one of the harder timbers like blackwood.
Cheers, Ian"The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.. it can't be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run.
And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better"
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25th November 2016, 07:42 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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check out a timber called Hornbeam, for fretboards. Beautiful true grain and nearly as hard as ebony. Blonde in appearance,
Paul
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3rd December 2016, 07:17 AM #6
I'm going to try recycled merbau for my ukelele fretboarts. Cheap as chips, available everywhere (new and recycled)... should do well.
I'm new to lutherie, and this first ukelele will take me 3 months of Sundays, but I read a lot, including books on lute making.
There is no reason to be too selective about the type of wood to use... The old (European) luthiers could not travel and trade was difficult, so they used whatever local timbers they had - They used as hard a timber as they could for the backs and necks (of lutes) and as softer for the tops. They preferred yew, but that was reserved for weapons such as bows, so they used spruce (pine), maple, oak, etc, and bits of really hard materials. I've seen pictures of lute backs made of ivory (!)
The fretboard material is almost of no tonal consequence. Hard is better for reasons that Ian (Nanigai) explained well.
My ukes (bulding two at a time) will be blackwood back, sides and head facia, victorian ash necks, merbau fretboard and bridge, and one bunya pine and one red cedar top. I'm concerned that the neck material is a little too dense - maple may have been better... not stopping too long to think about it, as the ash necks are coming up a treat.
Actually, depending on how much myrtle I had lying about I would try to use it for the neck, and sides and back... Its a beatutiful timber...
Enjoy the journey!
Jorge
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10th December 2016, 04:14 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Myrle should look terrific on fretboards, not as hard as gidgee etc but you will still get many years out of it. P.S. post some pics when yr done eh.
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20th December 2016, 12:18 PM #8
FWIW, Ive successfully used Cedar for ukelele necks. There isnt that much tension there. Similarly Myrtle should work well fretboard, particularly if you are using small fret wire. Very few instruments end up with grossly worn fret boards, only the very best used by professionals.
"We must never become callous. When we experience the conflicts ever more deeply we are living in truth. The quiet conscience is an invention of the devil." - Albert Schweizer
My blog. http://theupanddownblog.blogspot.com
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