I have been holding on to some redwood 2x10s that I originally used for my waterbed frame in the 70s!
2 of these boards are quarter sawn, old-growth with very dense rings - see picture. There is also another board, quarter sawn and clearly 2nd growth - much wider growth rings.
Last year I began making ukuleles and have made 4 or 5 sopranos using the old growth for the soundboard, at about 1.5mm thick. The sound, to my somewhat naive ear, has been fantastic - loud with great overtones and long sustain.
I am getting ready to resaw another batch of soundboards. I always prefer old growth for other wood projects due mostly to beauty, but perhaps that isn't the best criterion for a uke?
All things being equal, what differences, if any, would you expect using old-growth vs new-growth redwood for the soundboard?
Thank you!
2 of these boards are quarter sawn, old-growth with very dense rings - see picture. There is also another board, quarter sawn and clearly 2nd growth - much wider growth rings.
Last year I began making ukuleles and have made 4 or 5 sopranos using the old growth for the soundboard, at about 1.5mm thick. The sound, to my somewhat naive ear, has been fantastic - loud with great overtones and long sustain.
I am getting ready to resaw another batch of soundboards. I always prefer old growth for other wood projects due mostly to beauty, but perhaps that isn't the best criterion for a uke?
All things being equal, what differences, if any, would you expect using old-growth vs new-growth redwood for the soundboard?
Thank you!