Butternut lumber

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Butternut is a nice tonewood, IMO. I saw a nice bass by Ed Maday with butternut back and ribs. I believe it behaves similar to a real poplar (not tulipwood). I have a stash of it myself, though I doubt I'll ever get to it.

[Craig Regan]

The density of Butternut is around .38. About the same as Basswood, Western Red Cedar, and Willow. I got the idea, after seeing a Shen "willow cello" that was super light, and had a smooth tone.

One advantage of Butternut; It carves very easily!

[Ken McKay]

Craig, Butternut can be very beautiful wood, I have used it for some carving and furniture before. If you have some that measures 38 lb /cu ft then it should be pretty close to willow which is obviously a good tonewood.

Did you measure the density of your wood at 38? Can you show a photo of it just for yucks?

[Craig Regan]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Did you measure the density of your wood at 38? Can you show a photo of it just for yucks?

Oops, I did not measure it myself! I just googled "Butternut wood density" and got 17,600 results, in .44 seconds. Here is one:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wo...sity-d_40.html

It would be interesting to do the calculations myself, how is it done?

Pics coming.

[Craig Regan]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Can you show a photo of it just for yucks?

Here is a photo of the Butternut wood. This piece would be for the ribs (4/4 stock).

I wet the board with water, so the grain and color, would be more evident.

[Craig Regan]

I have two choices for the back. The piece below is 15" wide, and 1 5/8", or 40mm thick (rough cut). It would make a nice two piece back, but the swell might be shallow.

[Craig Regan]

The other is 2" thick, but only 12" wide. This would require some "wings" glued on the bottom bouts to make the full width. This board seams to be a little lighter, or less dense, than than the 15".

Its all beautiful lumber that was earmarked for a furniture project, but now I am thinking a bass might be more a more exciting project.

I am going to see how it bends before I make anymore decisions.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Originally Posted by Craig Regan

I have two choices for the back. The piece below is 15" wide, and 1 5/8", or 40mm thick (rough cut). It would make a nice two piece back, but the swell might be shallow.

I vote for this one. I have made several nice round-backs using 6/4 stock (1.5").

[Ken McKay]

Nice looking stuff there Craig.

Specific gravity can be measured by taking a small or large piece of your lumber. A cut off is probably best and make sure it is equal in dimensions along the length. I need not be square, but if wedge shaped, it should be the same all the way from end to end. For example cut off a 4 inch end piece about 1 inch wide. 1x1x4 for example. Dip it it water and it will make a water mark, now dip the other end and mark that line. Take the average of the two measurements and divide by total length to get Specific Gravity.

If you saved any cut offs from your last bass, measure them also and compare the butternut.

Let us know.