Bamboo

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Rose on July 14, 2012 at 9:54pm

I don't know. I got a flooring sample from Home Depot that had bamboo in it, but I can't remember if it's just bamboo, or if there's something else as well. Anyway, I've used it a couple of times, and I've been satisfied. I don't know how regular bamboo would compare, but I'd say it's worth a shot.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 15, 2012 at 2:31am

Brendan,

That's interesting; I've been wondering about creating boxes from bamboo. Couldn't hurt to try it; look at it this way: what's the absolute worst thing that could happen? It could fail. It's only a little piece of sanded and notched wood you're talking about. For more perspective, I just had the nut fail rather dramatically on a purchased build from a reputable builder, after having played it almost daily for 6 months. His nut slots were filed too deep, with a V profile, into what appears to be a plastic nut material, although it could be MOP or something else. Fortunately, I had purchased a bone blank for $6, after noticing a fracture in the original nut. Nothing that a few minutes of patient, careful, filing and sanding won't cure, and it gives me the excuse to take some relief out of the neck for better fingering on the higher frets.

Which is all to say, give it a go. Learn as you go. It'll work, at least for awhile. If it doesn't, try something else. No Rules.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on July 15, 2012 at 10:06am

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on July 15, 2012 at 10:07am

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on July 15, 2012 at 10:44am

I've used bamboo flooring, inset with a fret and that works great. Never tried just a round piece but it seems like it would work fine in small diameters. I'd be afraid that just a "half round" piece may crack under string tension.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on July 15, 2012 at 11:10am

this was made by Larry Chapin a few years ago

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on July 15, 2012 at 12:18pm

Bamboo is not a wood, its a grass. A really big grass though. The grain is more stringy than wood fibers. I have not tried it for bridge or nut but have cut some bamboo skewers to use as side markers. I found that in a small size they tend to splinter easily. This may be the case when used for a nut or bridge saddle. But hey get creative and try it out.

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Permalink Reply by Brendan deVallance on July 15, 2012 at 2:46pm

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will try it, as mentioned the worst that can happen is that it wont work and I'll trade it out for some other material. —Brendan

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 16, 2012 at 12:02am

Yes. I believe you can heat the stuff up with a torch and it strengthens the fibers in some way..

Wade

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 16, 2012 at 12:39am

I have used Tonkin Boo for a bridge. It has worked just fine. It was hardened. Heat the piece in the oven at maybe 300 fro 20 min. It is very tough stuff. I mad a triangular piece that sits on a piece of mahogany. 

                                              Cheers Ron

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Petry on July 16, 2012 at 1:48am

I've seen bamboo cutting boards for use in the kitchen that are supposed to be very strong and durable and a lot of the throw away chopsticks they have in Chinese restaurants are bamboo. My guess is it will work fine depending on how you use it.

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Permalink Reply by Brendan deVallance on August 26, 2012 at 10:18am

I decided to make a test using bamboo. So far it looks to work well. i cut some small grooves for the strings. I may try it on my next build. Here are some photos:

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