Is Red Oak good for anything?

[Harry Styron]

Here, here. I think it was in somebody's obit for O'brian that said someday the Aubrey/Maturin series would be considered great literature.
And I think anybody familiar with the series recognizes that its' A book, done in series, not a series of books. I can only wish that somebody with that kind of talent comes along and revives the series, but unlikely.

My copies are dogeared and badly worn, they've been on back packing trips, airplanes, beaches, and of course, on the night stand--just the thing to induce some exciting,swashbuckling dreams. Hearts of Oak, me maties!

I believe that white oak, not red oak, is what shipbuilders use. Unlike red oak, white oak pores are filled naturally, making it water resistant. Here’s a great explanation. https://www.finewoodworking.com/2020/11/12/a-closer-look-at-oak

 

[Rich Rice]

The last neck I made was with an acorn that was planted when this thread was started..

 

[crazydave911]

Looking good to me

And yes, that's red oak on South American mahogany

 

[mrz80]

Fellas this post is almost 9 years old.

Yay! Do we win the Necropost Trophy for this month?

I don't mind revisiting the topic, given I've got around 400, maybe 450 board feet of 6/4 and 8/4 red oak stickered, stacked, and drying after having a massive tree taken down at our rental house. Sawyer actually had to cut a couple of the logs in half with a long-bar chainsaw 'cause they were too heavy for his bandsaw mill! And the **figure** in some of the pieces... I cannot WAIT for the stuff to be dry enough to use. Yeah, a solid body would be heavy, but hear me out here: Carved top semi-hollow Telecasters anybody?

 

[thegaijin]

Here, here. I think it was in somebody's obit for O'brian that said someday the Aubrey/Maturin series would be considered great literature.
And I think anybody familiar with the series recognizes that its' A book, done in series, not a series of books. I can only wish that somebody with that kind of talent comes along and revives the series, but unlikely.

My copies are dogeared and badly worn, they've been on back packing trips, airplanes, beaches, and of course, on the night stand--just the thing to induce some exciting,swashbuckling dreams. Hearts of Oak, me maties!

Big fan of the Maturin character. All his comings and goings. I read the books 20 years ago. You guys have me wanting to read them again . Wonder if the audiobooks are available.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

Shade. Firewood. Acorns.

 

[mrz80]

Shade. Firewood. Acorns.

Spoilsport.

 

[Red Ryder]

Makes a great paddle for giving a kid something to scream about.

 

[tubedude]

Not as good as Pecan but usable.
Goes in here:

 

[oldunc]

It's OK, strong and pretty stable. Porous and a bit splintery, which could be an issue for shaping a neck. There are better choices, though- considering the small amount of wood compared to the amount of time it takes to make a guitar (even a telecaster copy), it seems sensible to go for something you really want to use.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

Spoilsport.

I'm actually impressed with the guitars people have made with it. Hate the smell of wet red oak.

 

[mrz80]

I'm actually impressed with the guitars people have made with it. Hate the smell of wet red oak.

I'll give you that. When we cut down that oak tree the back yard stank for days.

 

[grzz51]

My wife is tearing down a 50plus y/o shed on her parents old property and it is lined with 2×8 oak slabs that are full sized 2×8 inches..... Hmmmmmm......

 

[SacDAve]

 

[crazydave911]

It's OK, strong and pretty stable. Porous and a bit splintery, which could be an issue for shaping a neck. There are better choices, though- considering the small amount of wood compared to the amount of time it takes to make a guitar (even a telecaster copy), it seems sensible to go for something you really want to use.

Oak works for me lol

 

[oldunc]

Oak works for me lol

If OK is OK for you, it's OK with me. But this whole LOL thing confuses me- are you really cackling wildly while you type this stuff? Do you see any men in white coats lurking in the vicinity?

 

[watercaster]

I made a fireplace with white oak years ago. Very nice to work with. Stains nice.

 

[crazydave911]

If OK is OK for you, it's OK with me. But this whole LOL thing confuses me- are you really cackling wildly while you type this stuff? Do you see any men in white coats lurking in the vicinity?

I have used almost every kind of wood that over the years has been poo pooed as "no good" or unusable for guitars successfully. Lol? I think it's hilarious

 

[boxocrap]

Guys, I have whole bunch of read oak boards that I was planning to use for stairs, but I think, I am not going to do it now. So, is red oak good for guitar building? If so, neck or body?

Any advice would be appreciated!

some folks say oak ( of any kind ) isn't a tonewood but..some folks say anything

 

[boxocrap]

I made a fireplace with white oak years ago. Very nice to work with. Stains nice.

beautiful work..very very nice