This is a BRIEF description of “grade on aesthetics” only. Other criteria are also considered. Any wood that meets the criteria for instrument grade is of the highest quality in the overall spectrum of lumber grading. That high quality is divided into the following grade classifications.
Texture is the character of the growth, the ring count. Can be Fine, Coarse, graduating from fine to coarse or somewhat uneven across the board.
Medularies is the cross grain silk that is apparent when a board is cut nearly perfect VG
Stiffness refers to cross grain stiffness
This is brief grade for Guitars and all smaller instruments, also larger instruments up to cello size.
Sometimes grade between 1 and the next is virtually indistinguishable to the untrained eye.
Double Bass fronts have somewhat different grade criteria in that the texture is considerably coarser over-all, sometimes to ¼” growth ring.
Bear Claw, sometimes called Hazelfichte, is broken into 2 sub-categories of LF [light figure] and FF [full figure], named so by the amount of figure across the board.
As the name implies, it looks as if a bear had dragged it`s claws across the grain, pulling it in that spot. The way it`s cut will alter that effect somewhat. The curl is not the the real strong curl found in Maples, but is more subtle. It is still a beautiful effect of depth.
Violin 1 piece min. size 15″ X 9.25″ X ¼” thick at center 2 pc wedge set- each pc-15″ X 5″ X ¼” joining edge X ¼” outside edge
Mandolin 1 pc- min size 17″ X 11″ X 7/8″ thick at the center 2 pc wedge set- each pc.17″ X 5.75″ X 1″ joining edge Most mandolin tops are cut 18″-20″ long x 6+” wide.
Arch-top guitar Plank cut 2 pc. Book-set, min. pc. size 23″ X 9″ X 1 1/8″ thick
Wedge Cut, 2 pc. Bookset, min pc size 23″ X 9″ X 1 1/8″ X 3/8″ at the out side edge. Most arch-top guitar are cut 1 ¼” thick x 10″ wide.
Cello wedges 2 pc. Book-set, min.pc size 34″ X 10″ x 1 ¼” thick x 3/8″ outside edge
Violin 1 piece min. size 15″ X 9.25″ X ¼” thick at center 2 pc wedge set- each pc-15″ X 5″ X ¼” joining edge X ¼” outside edge
2 pc set, min. pc size 23.5" x 9.5" x 3/16".
2 pc Book-set, min. pc size- 22.25" x 8.25" x 3/16"
2 pc. Bookset, min. pc size 17" x 5 1/2'" x 3/16"
2 pc set - min pc size- 13"x 5"x 4.mm
2 pc set-min. pc size, 34"X 4.25" X 3/16" *will cut larger by request*
2pc bookset. Min. pc size 46" X 9" X 3/16"
Small-min. size, 2"x2"x 23"
Large- min size, 2.5"x 2.5"x 35"
Small-min. size, 2"x2"x 23"
Large- min size, 2.5"x 2.5"x 35"
Sold by the board foot not by the piece. For comparison, other vendors sell by the piece and when the volume is calculated, that volume is about .2bdft[2/10ths bdft] 1 bdft = 144 cu. Inches. The bracewood is random size pieces. These are from the correction wedges and end trims from guitar blocks.
From the ONLINE STORE you will see most of what we cut and or stock. If something is not listed, we can most likely cut it for you.
If you are rebuilding an instrument that is peculiar in size, like a bouzouki, or if you are building an over-size mandolin (and the regular top is too small and the archtop guitar is too big) contact us. I may have stock that is just right or just slightly oversize, such as a small body archtop. We are a violin tonewood suppliers and much more.
All of the soundboards found on AlaskaWoods.com are sustainably harvested from old-growth timber, we call them EarthTone Soundboards™. Learn more about what makes EarthTone Soundboards™ the finest in the world.
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