My Martini...

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The Top wood seems hard, the Grain is very fine in the center but turns to slab grain in the outer flanks. This is a sign of a small tree.

I always thought going to slab grain at the flanks meant that the wood was not cut exactly on the quarter.

I have thought about what you said above again and again but I can't for the life of me see why this is a sign of a small tree?

Not that it matters all that much.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

I always thought going to slab grain at the flanks meant that the wood was not cut exactly on the quarter.

I have thought about what you said above again and again but I can't for the life of me see why this is a sign of a small tree?

Not that it matters all that much.

Well, the center of the Bass (2-piece book matched) is ultra fine vertical grain and a few inches later, it turns to slab grain and once again at the flanks goes back to vertical grain. If you slab slice a log, it will be vertical grain towards the sap side and slab/flat grain towards the heart. This is all sap colored wood hence we think it was a relatively a small tree and cut slightly above the heart showing vertical grain from both sides of the slab. The slice/billet was maybe 14" wide before book matching.

[Ken Smith]

These Ebony Plates I made to strengthen the Scroll/Pegbox will now be replaced with matching Maple/Sycamore as used in the Graft. Arnold made the suggestion that while he's working on it, why not go all the way and keep it traditional. A week later (just hours before the deadline of the Neck going in the Block) I called him and gave to go ahead to make new outer plates.

Ebony Plates before shots;



After shots to be posted when the Bass is back in my shop...

[Ken Smith]

I just happen to be looking at this thread and realized that I offered pics of the post restoration of this Martini. The webpage was slightly re-done to show the new work but for the most part, the Bass looks about the same from the outside.

The Ebony plates were removed after the Neck Graft was done and replaced with Maple to match the Scroll/Pegbox better. Also done was a semi center cross bar to help spread the tone and protect the back seam on that joint area. It looks fabulous now inside and out. Sorry, but I don't have pics of the inside. You will just have to come over and take a peek inside yourself.

Here are the new cheek plates;


The Shoulder/Neck cappings were also replaced when the new neck graft was done. Here are both the before and after shots;


The pictures don't tell the whole story. Arnold also cleaned up a few things inside as well and the Bass has never sounded better..