New Wood & Steel

[jrporter]

Those who don't get it in the mail should stop by their local Sam Ash and pick up a copy or two. I mention Sam Ash because the Richmond, VA store has several piles on the counter in their acoustic room...

[Montesdad]

I see Tom Murphy's BTO has graced the back cover and think there was a shot of it on the inside -

Very good issue, one worth setting on the coffee table -

[Cindy]

One piece of info in this issue finally sets my mind at ease. Some people have mentioned khaya as being used on earlier models of the 3xx series while others say not. Bob mentions khaya being used in the Ask Bob section of W&S.

[MB]

I've yet to see my copy of Wood & Steel! After being what I consider to be patient....now I'm ready to panic!
Where oh where is it?! I may have to write a strongly worded letter to my mail carrier!

[Tarekith]

Mine just came today.

[Gutch]

I've yet to see my copy of Wood & Steel! After being what I consider to be patient....now I'm ready to panic!
Where oh where is it?! I may have to write a strongly worded letter to my mail carrier!

Don't expect an immediate response.  At his rate of speed, it'll take two weeks or more for your carrier to deliver the letter to himself...

[michaelw]

One piece of info in this issue finally sets my mind at ease. Some people have mentioned khaya as being used on earlier models of the 3xx series while others say not. Bob mentions khaya being used in the Ask Bob section of W&S.

khaya was used on the 04-06 300 series, which had unbound fretboards, & Taylor used
the common name african mahogany when it was on their website during those years -
i had a 04 314cL30 that felt lighter in weight than sapele &, to me,  the tone was closer to tropical mahogany

it was also mentioned that some 300s were made of mahogany, which i found interesting, as a 98 314ce
i previously owned had absolutely no ribbon figure at all & the back & sides looked very much like this
http://www.martinguitar.com/component/k2/item/72-d-16gt.html?Itemid=6

genuine mahogany
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/honduran-mahogany/
sapele
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/sapele/
khaya
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/african-mahogany/
i wonder if meranti might be a suitable sub for khaya
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/white-meranti/

sapele veneer is rather expensive
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2008679/18068/Sapele-Ribbon-4'X8'-Veneer-Sheet-10MIL-Paper-Backed.aspx
but the veneer used on this one must've been "luck-of-the-draw"

because this is just ridiculous
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2008679/18067/Sapele-Pommele-4'X8'-Veneer-Sheet-10MIL-Paper-Backed.aspx

[Cindy]

Thanks for the info, Michael! That sapele veneer is really expensive! Khaya is a pretty wood--is it much more expensive than sapele, or is there a greater amount of sapele available?

[michaelw]

Thanks for the info, Michael! That sapele veneer is really expensive! Khaya is a pretty wood--is it much more expensive than sapele, or is there a greater amount of sapele available?

i believe that finding a source of khaya that was of consistent quality was a concern -
if instrument grade khaya was found in sufficient sustainable quantity &
more widely used, the cost could  be about the same as sapele, imho
khaya
http://www.lmii.com/products/mostly-wood/backs-sides/mahogany-quilted
sapele
http://www.lmii.com/products/mostly-wood/backs-sides/sapele
some of the 12 fall LTDs had figuring that resembled pomele
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/GSce-FLTD
honduran mahogany
http://www.lmii.com/products/mostly-wood/backs-sides/honduran-mahogany

once the T5s were released, with sapele bodies, along with the T3s & SBs, it wasn't much longer
until the baby, 100/200s went to sapele necks & the GSmini necks have always been sapele

[Cindy]

i believe that finding a source of khaya that was of consistent quality was a concern

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/GSce-FLTD

This is one GORGEOUS Taylor!

[michaelw]

this one's pretty nice too
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1108072066.php?CategoryID=105&n=20

[Cindy]

this one's pretty nice too
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1108072066.php?CategoryID=105&n=20

  Wowzer!!!

[mgap]

Mine arrived yesterday.  Nice issue what with all the eye candy, and nicer cover.  My only problem is finding time to read it, what with all the Olympics on tv.   

[Gutch]

this one's pretty nice too
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/1108072066.php?CategoryID=105&n=20

  Wowzer!!!

And it's not just a pretty face -- Those quilted Sapele/Euro Spruce limiteds sound as good as they look!

[michaelw]

kind of a blend of a "super 3/51Xce", with adi bracing, bone nut & saddle & gotohs