Tasmanian Paddock Blackwood!

As part of our "Special Feature Interviews"

on the New DVD..."A Master Class In Acoustic Guitar Making"

I decided to take the film crew to Tasmania!

First stop was to interview Chris Searle of Cockatoo Timbers, Stanley Tasmania.

Chris has been in the timber business for more than 30 years. He and his wife Frances know blackwood inside out... He deals mainly in Paddock Blackwood, Myrtles and Sassafrass!

Chris collects naturally felled paddock blackwood and some select timbers.

So what is Paddock Blackwood?

Blackwood that naturally grows in a paddock rather than a Forest. They tend to be wider in breadth as they do not struggle against forest canopy to reach the abundant light.

Forest Blackwood is skinner as it is pushing against the forest canopy to get to the light.

It takes 100-150 years for Blackwood to reach its Maturity.

Where as Plantation timbers can take up to 80 years to mature.

Old growth trees such as Myrtle, Huon & King Billy Can be found to be hundreds of years old if not thousands of yeas old (i.e. Huon pine). Mostly protected!

A great asset to the Instrument making industry is having people like Chris Searle around to be able to source the best timbers in the world!

The pictures above are mainly of Paddock Blackwood.

The one picture of me touching the tree is at "Dismal Swamp" NW Tassie. The only Blackwood sink hole in the world. It is a Forest Blackwood. (Tall and Skinny)

http://www.dismalswamp.com.au/ Check out the website for more SPECIFIC info.

The Swamp is a beautiful peaceful area. Sassafrass, Blackwood and Myrtle all naturally grow beside each other... Who could ever say that nature gets it wrong... Mother Nature must have been a Luthier!

Did you know Blackwood is a Wattle? It has long thin leaves, Sassafrass has jagged pointy leaves and Myrtle has tiny round leaves.

These timbers are all used in Guitar Making for the Back and Sides.

So the DVD Interview with Chris & Chris?

Chris Searle had a lot of great information on timbers, latest grafting technology that he is testing with some locals, more about quartersawn timber and lots lots more!....

Sorry can't tell you about it here - You are just going to have to wait for the DVD set to come out. :)

Stay tuned here comes Sassy and Myrtle.......

Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle!

Chris Searle had the Tiger Myrtle ready to go into the drying shed.


Chris also supplies Tim Spittle at: http://www.australiantonewoods.com/ in WA with Tiger Myrtle and other Aussie timbers.

We are so very lucky in this country to have such great resources and folk who care about providing excellent timbers.

Remember when you are searching for timbers ask these few simple questions first.

1. Does the supplier provide proper quarter sawn timber... does he understand your requirements as a budding luthier?

2. How long has it been dried for... sometimes because of demand suppliers supply earlier than recommended drying time, so when you receive your timber always lay it down flat just to be sure it won't twist in case it is not completely dried... (could be hard to see as a novice)

3. Shop around for a good price... not always the cheapest price... ask other experienced timber buyers for advice.. i.e me or go on line and check out some of the forums.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/

This Australian forum has stood the test of time - Check it Out!

It is a wood working forum so not just musical instruments... they have loads of info on How To's and what can go wrong... equipment info, techniques and of course opinions!

Some of our students have even posted their guitar making exploits!

Also be sure to search the Internet for your research into Timber and Timber Suppliers.

We have provided a few on the top right hand side of the blog.


(I will only post the suppliers we recommend!)

Blackheart Sassafras!

Striking Blackheart!


This could eventually be hand crafted into an exquisite Guitar or A Piece of Fine Furniture!

Andrew Morrow an Ex- Student and CSIRO Wood Scientist was also interviewed in the new DVD.

He gives his explanation as to the dark heart or the staining in the timber. Some think it is a growth, mould or even just a water stain... often when the tree becomes old they open up and water can be held in the top cavity, also limbs fall off and damp staining can occur.

Andrew explains that it is a fungus and it is from water staining that comes from the top of the tree.

As apposed to the Tiger Myrtle the black fleck in the timber is also a fungus but actualy comes up from the bottom of the tree - even at a young sapling age!

There are many opinions about ancient trees and still the debate will continue for many years!

Thankyou Cockatoo Timbers!

Thankyou Chris, Frances & Curley The Dog!

I hand selected some Stunning Blackwood

for Backs & Sides....

Hopefully It Will End Up In Your Guitar!

Chris Searle

Tasmanian Tonewoods (New Name)

Stanley, Tasmania

E-mail: tasmanian.tonewoods@hotmail.com (New e-mail address)

(03) 6458 1108 PH

(03) 6458 1337 Fax

Luthiers Trade Secrets Revealed!!

Now I have your attention....


For those of you that are chipping away in your workshops and like to keep up to date with the latest in Luthier info, the why's, how's and where's of the industry I suggest you get the monthly newsletter from Stewart MacDonald (USA)

They have all the latest gear and info. Just jump on their website and sign-up!

http://www.stewmac.com/

Stewart MacDonald have shown a keen interest in our NEW DVD and will be previewing it this year and hopefully giving us the green light to distribute through them.


Also NEW to Australia is Australian Luthier Suppliers... the guys in QLD have been very supportive of us and supplied all the set up gear for the guitar on the DVD... they too are keen to check it out later this year...

http://www.luthierssupplies.com.au/

I am sure, Bruno, Dane, Kim, Sean and the Gang can help you out!

DVD Filming Update! (The Final Week)

Well Here She Is.....

Bunya Baby!

2 1/2 weeks of filming and the Guitar looks sensational!

Sounds bright with sweet tones. Very rounded sound.

We had Jack Spira - Luthier http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/ come in for an interview with Dog: "Treacle". He is a fine maker and the sheoak he used for the bouzouki was stunning!

Looks like the DVD may be longer than we first thought. Possibly up to 4-5 hrs depending again on editing.... but I think you will love it... an asset to any Budding Luther's workshop.

We head off to Tassie Monday to film in a Blackwood Forest and interview a timber supplier.

Then I am off for a long well deserved trip to UK and Italy... I leave 4th Sep and return in time for the next 2 week intensive in Oct.

Remember to click on all the pics in the BLOG to enlarge them!

See you when I get back with lots of pictures of Italy and the 400 year old villa we will be working in - May 2008!....

Humidity Tip!

Are you are making a guitar at home or in a workshop?

Have you a hand crafted guitar?

Do you realize that the most important thing to remember is your relative HUMIDITY level!

Fluctuations of up to 20 will cause splits, twisting and imbalances of moisture levels in your timber.

You can buy a lab quality thermometer. Choose one with an accuracy of +/- 5% or better.

You can also buy guitar case humidifiers.

Please keep an eye on your humidity levels when:

Travelling with you guitar, (plane, car, bus storage area, interstate transport of any sort) at home when crafting your guitar, always note the temperature from point A to point B.

NEVER Leave your guitar in a car - Get to your destination and get your hand crafted guitar out of the car. (you should always have your guitar in a solid body case to help stabilize the temperature and protect your guitar anyway)

A car can heat up in minutes with out air conditioning.

To prevent such damage: provide a stable environment for your guitar.

If in a workshop have a heater or cooler in your workshop, leave water in the workshop (if relevant) leave doors open or closed to keep your relative humidity at 50!

Keep in mind that the above are only guidelines; some guitars are more sensitive than others. (Manufactured vs Hand Crafted)...Older instruments may already have compromised necks and glue joints from past exposures and time, thus making them more vulnerable to damage.

Acceptable relative humidity levels for your guitar are around 40% - 60%. Relative humidity is the amount of moisture the air can hold at a given temperature.

Rapid temperature changes (20ºF or more per hour) should be avoided.

Before introducing your guitar to any drastic environmental change, leave it in its case and allow time for temperatures to equalize. Even then, open the case only a crack and let the air come into contact with the instrument gradually before taking it out for play.

Low humidity is more damaging than high humidity. Especially at low humidity then, keep your guitar in its case when you aren't playing. It is much easier to maintain humidity in your case than the whole house. There are various humidifiers available, and I encourage you to do your research before picking any one.

Hope this helps!

DVD Filming Update!

1st Week on Set...

I Need More Tim Tams!

For those of you who have completed the Guitar Making course with me, will know that 60hrs of guitar making can seem quite short! An amazingly short time to make such a beautiful instrument..... well!

We are one week into our project of making an all Aussie timber Acoustic guitar!

The body is complete.... highly coloured and contoured Bunya Pine soundboard, outstanding Fiddle back Blackwood back and sides, Jarrah bindings! (competing side bindings monday)

The rosette is Pauya Shell (oyster shell NZ) with a traditional simple rosette either side of it to highlight the shell.

The neck is Queensland Maple with a Blackwood veneer in the headstock.

Fret board & Bridge will be Gidgi.

I will set up with Gold coloured machine heads.

It will be a very visually vibrant looking guitar. The fiddle back I selected is stunning.

The soundboard taps quite well with a big bass..... we will be oiling next fri,sat,sun and ready to play by the Monday....

We are over time.... so we have still filming Monday 20th August (Note: Workshop closed)

The DVD will have some special features:

Interview with: Luthier Jack Spira - Sting has 4 of his guitars.

Interview with: CSIRO Scientist - Andrew Morrow - Detailed info on composition of Australian timber and the advantages of using this timber in guitar making.

Interview with: Tassie Timber Supplier - to be announced! From the roots up - specialising in blackwood and the selection process of timber.

Live performance:

Featuring the Bunya Pine Acoustic Guitar.

I will be playing in the Great Hall with two other Musicians!

If all goes to plan we should have the DVD for release Christmas 2007!

Set Drama: (Just for the fun of it)

1 x cut finger

Several noisy peacocks stomping on workshop roof

2 x Light bulbs blown

Forgot to glue on veneer on headstock (Take 2)

Forgot to clamp neck block when glued (Take 2)

Forgot the Tim Tams (Not happy)

Lights too hot (Need more chocolate)

Fiona was that take ok.... oops she has fallen asleep again!

Set Crew:

Cameraman - Roger

Producer - Julianne

Gaffer Girl & general go get it chick - Fiona

Star - Brad Pit.... oops Chris Pitt no, no Chris Wynne!

(Where is my trailer anyway!!!... star leaves set left to sulk!)

King Billy

I would like to thank you Chris for an inspirational two weeks at Montsalvat.

I have named my guitar "King Billy" because it sounds, feels and looks better than any other.

My guitar is a Dreadnaught with Blackwood back and sides, QLD Maple Neck, Gidgie Fret Board & King William (Billy ) Pine top, Rosewood for the binding- all Australian Timbers.

Once Chris had shown me how to use the various tools and machines, it was easy. I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and I have a collection of at least ten (the last time I counted!)

The sound is warm and resonant with a huge dynamic range.

My family and friends are astounded that I could have built such a beautiful thing - at all, let alone in two weeks.

I can see that building guitars is going to become a lifelong passion of mine.

I have already started looking around for tools.

See you in Italy!

Allan Lloyd - Student June 2007