Mahogany Thinline Flame Maple Top Build - Page 3

hackworth1 · January 12th, 2010, 09:08 PM

After visiting a lumber mill today, I discovered that the wood on this guitar is Bubinga and not mahogany. The man, Brad, was nonplussed to have learned that I had made a guitar body from Bubinga. Bubinga is super hard and very heavy. Nearly impossible to cut at such thickness. I did it as you can see.

I brought a tele size slab of this 2 inch thick wood (bubinga) to this mill. I asked Brad to resaw this piece of (bubinga) into three pieces that will be 3/8 of an inch thick. I will use it as caps and/or backs for future projects. Someone (you are welcome to chime in here) suggested as much.

I learned the hard way that this wood is too hard and heavy to make a body (even with mucho chambering).

Brad said that he would try to resaw this slab. I have confidence that he will get it done. He has a great shop that has a killer giant bandsaw RIG FOR RESAWING JOBS.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this information that I discovered.

This is not a Mahogany thinline flame maple top build.

It is a Bubinga thinline flame maple top build.

That makes it even more special.

FSJazzGuy · January 12th, 2010, 10:25 PM

Well, I must say, it turned out incredible. Maybe it's a good thing you didn't know it was bubinga, cause then you wouldn't have tried.

Really really super looking job. Good thing it's a lefty, otherwise everyone would want it.

hackworth1 · January 12th, 2010, 11:59 PM

INterestingly, I had recently bought more 8/4 (2 inches thick) bubinga off ebay, not knowing how hard and heavy it is to cut and that it is not the best wood for guitar projects.

I was going to glue it up and make a guitar. Now, I will not do that.

I will now rip it and use it only as a center line piece (as extra hard tone wood - tis also decorative) in combination with other woods (basswood, for example).

I bought a big plank of 8/4 basswood while I was there. I alspo got some figured/flame maple. Brad is going to resaw that for me into 3/8 inch book match pieces. Yipee!

What a great find in my area - Chipmunk Hardwoods.

They are on the web.

Good people.

January 12th, 2010, 09:08 PM	#81 (permalink)
hackworth1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: florida Age: 69 Posts: 353	After visiting a lumber mill today, I discovered that the wood on this guitar is Bubinga and not mahogany. The man, Brad, was nonplussed to have learned that I had made a guitar body from Bubinga. Bubinga is super hard and very heavy. Nearly impossible to cut at such thickness. I did it as you can see. I brought a tele size slab of this 2 inch thick wood (bubinga) to this mill. I asked Brad to resaw this piece of (bubinga) into three pieces that will be 3/8 of an inch thick. I will use it as caps and/or backs for future projects. Someone (you are welcome to chime in here) suggested as much. I learned the hard way that this wood is too hard and heavy to make a body (even with mucho chambering). Brad said that he would try to resaw this slab. I have confidence that he will get it done. He has a great shop that has a killer giant bandsaw RIG FOR RESAWING JOBS. Anyway, I just wanted to share this information that I discovered. This is not a Mahogany thinline flame maple top build. It is a Bubinga thinline flame maple top build. That makes it even more special. __________________ "Those who do not industrialize become hewers of wood and haulers of water.” Alexander Hamilton

January 12th, 2010, 11:59 PM	#83 (permalink)
hackworth1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: florida Age: 69 Posts: 353	INterestingly, I had recently bought more 8/4 (2 inches thick) bubinga off ebay, not knowing how hard and heavy it is to cut and that it is not the best wood for guitar projects. I was going to glue it up and make a guitar. Now, I will not do that. I will now rip it and use it only as a center line piece (as extra hard tone wood - tis also decorative) in combination with other woods (basswood, for example). I bought a big plank of 8/4 basswood while I was there. I alspo got some figured/flame maple. Brad is going to resaw that for me into 3/8 inch book match pieces. Yipee! What a great find in my area - Chipmunk Hardwoods. They are on the web. Good people. __________________ "Those who do not industrialize become hewers of wood and haulers of water.” Alexander Hamilton

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January 12th, 2010, 10:25 PM	#82 (permalink)
FSJazzGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SE Virginia Age: 56 Posts: 193	Well, I must say, it turned out incredible. Maybe it's a good thing you didn't know it was bubinga, cause then you wouldn't have tried. Really really super looking job. Good thing it's a lefty, otherwise everyone would want it.

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