Okay, I've decided I'll build my Weissie copy. There are certainly a lot of woods one could use. My primary concern is to build an instrument with a deep and mellow sound, not bright and tinney. I know Koa is the preferred or original wood choice, but is it the most mellow?
27 Comments |
 | Grizz says:
4/27/2011 10:14:50 AM
Try here robanderlik.com/GuitarComps.html
Now they are different makers but you can get somewhat of an idea. I think my Koa is mellow and I wanted the sound closest to the original, but thats not to say other woods don't sound good. Mahogany seems to have a warmer sound, so I am told. You may also check out Rances site here lazyriverguitars.com/pages/mp3...yer3.html Check YouTube as well.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 10:28:06 AM
Check out these sets. curlykoa.com/weissenbornsets
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 | HighWall says:
4/27/2011 10:57:21 AM
I have a mahogany Gold Tone Style 2 and it seems brighter than my Lazy River, which is made from New Zealand Blackwood and is quite mellow. I have never played an original, but have been enjoying the Lazy River quite a bit. The Gold Tone sounds surprisingly good for a guitar of its cost, but is very very light. It exhibits noticeable "belly" at the bridge and I wouldn't allow it to stay strung in G for very long. The Lazy River seems quite a bit more substantial.
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x says:
4/27/2011 12:34:53 PM
My mahogany Gold Tone is also "bellying" at the bridge. As I've poked around at different luthiers sites, I was interested to see that quite a few use spruce tops. Any experience there, folks?
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 | Chris C says:
4/27/2011 2:20:38 PM
Thanks for the link, Grizz. Sure is pricey stuff, that Koa!
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 2:52:12 PM
Chris, it sure is. Try an internet search for Weissenborn wood sets. I would but still having computer problems. Or get a hold of Rance at Lazy River and see if he will tell you someone. If not let me know.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 3:08:22 PM
Weezy, I had a spruce top on my Lazy River. It seemed to be fine. I do like the sound of the all Koa the best though. Lazy River uses a lot of spruce tops, mine was Koa back and sides and spruce top. I am going to say something and don't get mad. If you have a Gold Tone you have to be careful what tunings you use. They even say so in their description of them. Lazy River or Celtic Cross are much better but......... If you want something that will hold up to pretty much all the tunings used, I would suggest you go in to a higher-end instrument. Even the originals you have to be extremely careful with the tuning and strings. If you use a tuning say like E, de-tune when your done playing to take the stress off. This is something you learn to live with if you have a Wessie. I remember when I got my first, I was driving everyone crazy I was so anal about strings, tunings and the tensions. And when I say everyone I mean everyone. All the way to Norway.roflmao Look at the John Pearse Weissenborn strings at Elderlys, Bob Brozman is working with them on gauges for different tunings and Bob is a crazy man. He was one of the recipients of my analness (I know, spell check says it isn't a word but so), and he was on tour in Europe at the time. roflmao He is such a super nice guy and as you know tremendous player.
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| Chris C says:
4/27/2011 4:53:54 PM
Here's an interesting site I found that describes tone wood sounds. breedlovemusic.com/index.php?o...temid=205
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 5:36:25 PM
On another note, since you mentioned Breedlove, like Maxwell Smart I came II<--------- this close to owning a Breedlove Weissenborn. Ed Gerhard endorses and plays them among others, including a Bear Creek I might add. lol He has a Breedlove model with frets under the 6th string. If you have to ask you can't afford it.
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 | Gitman44 says:
4/27/2011 5:53:19 PM
Chris, with the prices for koa being so high, you may want to check out Tazmanian blackwood for your build. Check out this site: australiantonewoods.com/index.php?cPath=48. Their prices are a whole lot more reasonable than koa. Blackwood looks very similar to koa, but supposedly has stronger mids and bass. I've not had the chance to do a direct side-by-side comparison, so I can't confirm that. I've got a Weissenborn made of Taz blackwood, and I can confirm that it certainly has a deep and mellow sound, with absolutely no bright, tinny sound. Keep us in the loop with your build. Good luck!!
Andy (aka Gitman44)
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 6:00:54 PM
Andy, I have heard that the Taz Blackwood has the closest sound to Koa. Supposedly very similar in structure. My .02 worth.
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 | Zissou Intern says:
4/27/2011 6:24:51 PM
curlykoa.com
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| Chris C says:
4/27/2011 6:41:37 PM
Thanks, Zissou, Grizz gave me that link in a previous post. That's where I found the $400 Koa sets!!!!!!!!!!!! Their wood is mighty "purdy", and I may still purchase from them unless can find another source.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 6:56:14 PM
Chris, maybe check into the Blackwood. Next best thing so I am told. Check with Rance at LR if not there is a builder in Austrailia or maybe Tony would be able to find some. He is one hell of a human being and am sure he could help. Only bad thing is the shipping. But you don't know till you ask. Here is Richards web sites rwguitars.com/ and weissenborns.com/ he makes what appears to be fine instruments. I have heard good things about them for the money. The killer is the shipping.
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| Chris C says:
4/27/2011 7:02:37 PM
In all the research I've done, Grizz, I feel reasonably certain I'm going with Koa for the top and back. I'm researching the feasibility of Black Walnut for the sides. But the sound is the most important thing to me.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 7:16:29 PM
Well if your going with the back and sides Koa why not go whole hog so to speak. lmao
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| Chris C says:
4/27/2011 7:36:41 PM
The Black Walnut thought wasn't because of cost. I'm just thinking the Black Walnut might be a pleasing visual contrast. But I'd only want to use it if it wasn't a detriment to the sound.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 7:49:30 PM
Well Chris, I can only speak for myself. I have heard Wessies made of all kinds of woods and I still come back to the sound of the Koa. But the sound each of us likes is so subjective. I love the look of Koa but first and foremost the sound. If mine were painted black I would still own it. I enjoy aesthetic beauty but ....................
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| Chris C says:
4/28/2011 6:02:58 AM
Guess that's my problem, Grizz................my lust for a Weissie has been prompted only by what I've heard on the Internet. Never heard one in person...........certainly not a variety of them. So am full of questions about the sound of different species of wood. It seems that many, if not most, players seek the Koa bodies...........and I'd imagine that's because of the sound.
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| Grizz says:
4/28/2011 6:41:59 AM
Chris, this is somewhat of a problem with these instruments as well as Dobros. You can't go to your local music store and try 6 or more "brands" like you would with a guitar. The only thing we got are the links I gave you and YouTube. So at best it's a SWAG. I knew going in I wanted the Koa sound that I had heard so many times. My first was the LR Koa back and sides spruce top. I liked it a lot but it just didn't match the sound in my head. When I came across my Bear Creek the deal was so good I jumped through hoops to get it. It made a stop at Elderly's on it's way to me to have the Baggs M-1 put in. When it arrived the beauty of the instrument slapped me in the face and when I took it out and strummed it, well the rest is history. Til death do us part. I am lucky, that is how I feel about every instrument I own right now. Are there others I would like to have? Sure. Would I give any of mine up for them? Definitely not. I wish you luck and hope all works out as well for you as it did for me.
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| Chris C says:
4/28/2011 6:51:29 AM
I learned a long-long time ago that choosing a musical instrument is like choosing a woman..................it's the sounds they make and not the trimming on the package!
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| Gitman44 says:
4/28/2011 3:22:12 PM
In one of your earlier posts you mentioned that you liked the Tony Francis Weissenborn copies. He's got one listed on ebay right now for $2500. There's a youtube video of this exact guitar; youtube.com/watch?v=MRyStdaFvYE. Check it out. Perhaps this will fill the bill for you.
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| Chris C says:
4/28/2011 3:59:20 PM
Thanks, Gitman................but I've definitely decided to build my own.
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 | billzabozo says:
7/18/2011 2:50:49 PM
hoffmanguitars.com/woods.htm
Some interesting bits about wood choices with some good additional links if you haven't already started. Good luck
Will
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| Chris C says:
7/18/2011 3:03:55 PM
Thanks for the link, Will. I'm pretty up-to-speed on wood choices. (make my living with wood) I think I've settled on strictly Koa for top, back and sides.
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| Grizz says:
7/18/2011 3:05:32 PM
Mighty damn fine choice. My hats off to you Chris. roflmao
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| Chris C says:
7/18/2011 3:20:20 PM
Thanks....................but why are you "roflmao"?
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