Two Projects in Oak & Mahogany/zebra

[Geeze]

Customer wanted Laney combo amp converted to a head. I asked him what wood he liked and he said white oak. I sent him to my favorite wood store with a list of wood species to look at in terms of beauty / work-ability and cost - hoping he would find something else. Nope, he brought me white oak. OK. I priced it out based on features - he decided a butt joint was fine. I thought that joint lacked pizzazz so I went with this corner blocked setup. I needed 4' more wood so I found some with a bit more figure for the edging and front plate. It reminds me of a parquet floor.

The other is a Satellite Barracuda with African mahogany and zebra trim to match a 4x10. As usual I fumbled a measurement and instead of the 3/8" clearance above the KT66's I had a real thin 1/8". A couple of 2-1/8" holes later the 66's are vented to the world. The wood grills are place holders until I think of something better to protect the tubes. I REALLY like African maghogany.

Russ

[Phil_S]

Beautiful work, but white oak? Looks like it wants to be a floor! No accounting for taste, is there?

[statorvane]

... but white oak? Looks like it wants to be a floor!

Next time look at some ash. Beautiful wood. A bit heavier than oak, but much nicer grain IMO.

[Geeze]

Thanks Phil!

It's what the customer wanted. Quarter or rift sawn oak can be very striking. I must admit it was fun to build.

Russ

[Cantplay]

One of my favorite things to do with oak is fume it.

Get some strong ammonia(used for bluprints) and put the project in a big plastic bag with some sticks to make a tent. Put the ammonia on a paper towel in a bowl inside.

The fumes react with the tannins and darken the oak.

This is what gives those old Stickley pieces a rich color.

John

[M Fowler]

Oak is not my favorite but that head looks very good.

[statorvane]

In my haste to recommend ash I completely neglected to mention those are might fine looking cabinets. Very nice effort. Excellent actually.

BTW, what is rift sawn wood? A local hardwoods dealer here occasionally has a sing out front, "Rift Sawn Oak".

[Geeze]

Flatsawn is lumber cut parallel to the growth rings, Quartersawn is cut perpendicular, Riftsawn is [approximately] 45° to the rings.

Russ

[Phil_S]

Good description here quarter vs.rift:
http://peterinneshardwoodfloors.com/Woo ... hotos.html

[rp]

I learn about wood working on TAG too

I never knew oak could look so nice, cool tip about the Stickley thing.

[Geeze]

Here is some riftsawn oak with Leopard wood trim.

Russ

[Structo]

I have a tele body that is solid Leopard wood.
Haven't built a guitar from it yet.

That thing weighs a ton!

[Geeze]

I'd love to see pics of the Tele. I face lifted a Tele with curly maple and am contemplating the same for a Charvel - I haven't found wood that makes me go 'Oh My!" yet. My only bitch with leopard wood is it is a bit splintery in its raw form.

Russ

[ChrisM]

Love those tube cut outs!

Are those inserts in them?



EDIT: Just saw another thread where you said that was a mistake. lol! I like em

[Geeze]

Hi Chris,

I originally thought stainless sink drainers - but haven't found anything I like. I drilled and turned down the inserts with a disk sander to fit.

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Russ