Bamboo for biscuits.

Posted by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 9, 2017 at 12:28pm

I've improvised and bought an old jar specifically because and for the bamboo lid/seal. I think I'm right in thinking bamboo is a hardwood? The question is, what's it likely to be like as a biscuit? Got it resized, sanded down, realised I'm very allergic to it (or the dust at least) and the stain on it is currently drying while I wait for delivery of the strings. All to say, I'm going to try it anyway but wondering what the collective wisdom of the site thinks on the idea. I'll eventually replace it with a maple one but I can't afford the £19 price for the one on eBay just now. 

Also, am I supposed to simply lay it on the resonator or screw one screw through the cone and into the underside of the biscuit? I originally thought it was just placed on top but I saw a cone for sale with a small hole through it so I'm doubting my intuition now. 

Help hugely appreciated so many thanks in advance. 

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Replies

  • Paul Craig January 9, 2017 at 4:06pm

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMDfl2fWqC4

    Lots of guitars have been made of Bamboo and all of them that I've heard, have sounded good. First Act did a limited run Bamboo guitar that was awesome. Most people discount Bamboo, but if you can use plywood and MDF, why not Bamboo?

    • Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear > Paul Craig January 9, 2017 at 4:46pm

      Thanks Paul. I'm definitely reassured now. Looking forward to the tailpiece and strings being delivered now so I can get picking! Thanks again.

  • MadGomer January 9, 2017 at 3:21pm
    The bamboo biscuit should work fine, keep it small and take advantage of its low density, less weight on the resonator is a good thing. Not sure you need a screw, I would try letting it float first and add a small screw centered under the saddle only if needed. String tension should be sufficient methinks.
    • Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear > MadGomer January 9, 2017 at 4:45pm

      Thanks, Madgomer. I'll let it float and see first then. The biscuit is quite big so I may let my hole cutter bit loose on it. I figured 45mm at the nut leading to 55mm at the heel around 19th fret should surely mean I don't need much more than around 60-65mm diameter? It's 4 INCHES as is lol. I'll make it smaller.

  • John Sawyer January 9, 2017 at 2:26pm
    Technically, bamboo is a grass... which could be why you are allergic to it...

    As far as connection to the resonator cone, I can't comment, as I haven't used one. . . Yet . . .
    • Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear > John Sawyer January 9, 2017 at 4:40pm

      Now you say it's technically a grasz it does make sense. I reckognised it for the stringy quality after cutting it down. I have severe grass and tree pollen allergies that I take antihistamines for year round so again it makes sense. Thanks for enlightening! No idea why I thought it was a hardwood. Maybe because of the toughness of it or that thud when you tap it being very dense. Not sure but I know better now. Thanks again.

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