Dolmetscher007 Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 I ran across this video today on YouTube. Can anyone identify what kind of wood this old guy is using? The grain is so straight, so evenly spaced, and so tightly spaced... it looks to me like quarter sawn sitka spruce like you would see in an acoustic guitar soundboard. But considering that quarter sawn sitka spruce costs a bajillion dollars, I seriously doubt anyone would be making little trinket boxes out of it. I also do not think that Sitka Spruce is a tree that grows in Asia. I could be wrong all the way around, so I thought I'd ask you guys. Anybody else know of a species that looks this much like quarter sawn sitka spruce but might be some other, more native to Japan, wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Kinda looks like Douglas fir to me. Japan & Asia in general buy some of the best logs in North America, they pay top dollar. Also there is a lot of conifer forests covering the rugged interior mountainous lands in Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 It does look like fir to me also. But I don't think fir has a lighter color sap wood. Perhaps a relative of fir. To be sitka spruce it must come from Sitka, Alaska... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolmetscher007 Posted November 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I found out from the people that made the video that it is called, “Sugi”, which in English is called Japanese Red Cedar. This post brings up some questions I have about sourcing some not-so-hardwoods. I am trying to dip a toe into the lutherie waters and maybe make a few acoustic and electric guitars. I will eventually graduate to using the more expensive tone Woods lol Sitka Spruce. But in the meantime, I’d like to practice on some woods that are similar to Sitka Spruce but are available at any old Home Depot or lumber yard. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 Lumber yard maybe depending on where you are. Materials suitable for luthiers at Depot is probably a big stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 A guitar uses relatively little wood, compared to most furniture pieces, so it's easier to afford to get some stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 Look through the Western Red Cedar. Look at the wide boards. Some will have tight vertical grain, a few inches on each edge. You need to look through a lot of lumber. And maybe still nothing. Then again you might...Like drzaius says you only need a little. Get the good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolmetscher007 Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 1 hour ago, curlyoak said: ...you only need a little. Get the good stuff. Sounds like my love life! Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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