The white is sapwood and the dark is hardwood. Sapwood grows on the outside of the tree and heartwood grows in the middle. Most woods have this distinction with more or less contrast depending on the type of wood.
thanks!! so if the tree was big enough we would get an entire ukulele made in white? woah.
Does the density of the wood differ between the 2? If it does would it affect the sound?
Ok this is what I read online :
This sapwood-heartwood distinction has important implications for woodworkers beyond the obvious implications of color. Because sapwood contains the sap-conducting cells of the tree, it tends to have a relatively high moisture content. This is good for the living tree but it is not so good for the woodworker, because sapwood tends to shrink and move considerably when dried, and it is much more susceptible to decay and staining by fungi.
And this
https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrn/fplrn147.pdf
I am just wondering if over time the shrinking of the sapwood would make it more susceptible to cracks on the uke since the under side of the body is not ‘sealed’ with any coating as it continues to loose moisture.
Meh, here's the rub. If your going to get hung up on such details, then EVERY wood other than plain, straight grain, quarter sawn wood is weak and should not be used.
Figured and flamed wood? No, chuck it in the bin!
Spalted Maple? Hell no, are you insane!
Are people going to chuck all figured wood in the bin and only use perfect straight grained wood?
Hell no.
Do straight grain instruments sound better? Well actually, maybe they do, but no one is going to stop building and buying figured wood instruments anytime soon.
Some luthiers lightly seal it, some don't Here's a link to an old thread.
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/archive/index.php/t-118516.html
Bluesy.
Ok this is what I read online :
This sapwood-heartwood distinction has important implications for woodworkers beyond the obvious implications of color. Because sapwood contains the sap-conducting cells of the tree, it tends to have a relatively high moisture content. This is good for the living tree but it is not so good for the woodworker, because sapwood tends to shrink and move considerably when dried, and it is much more susceptible to decay and staining by fungi.
And this
https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrn/fplrn147.pdf