Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack Horton on August 7, 2011 at 7:30am

Cricket bat ? Coat !!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 7:37am

Thanks Jack, but assuming that I don't have a burning desire to make cricket bats (and I don't), might it be useful for making musical instruments?

Permalink Reply by Jarmo Katajisto on August 7, 2011 at 7:37am

Maybe you can use it for Diddley Bow?

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 7:53am

Hi Jarmo and Ellwood. Thanks for the suggestions. So I am guessing that it is only good for something where the neck is fairly big and has little tension (one string). I'm beginning to get the impression that it won't be much use for three or four string instruments. Shame.

Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on August 7, 2011 at 10:39am

Is the wood thick enough, and do you have the machines to utilize it for parts on the box? Such as the sides or bottom. Or maybe to use in bridge/saddle parts. Maybe it can be used for inlay purposes. Or even try it in the neck as part of a lamination with other woods. I think however the wood needs to be aged, dried before use. I am not sure though.

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 10:55am

Hi Colin.

Thanks. Yes. Maybe a body of some sort of dulcimer. I wondered if it might do for soundboards. By the time I get round to that it will be well aged.

Thanks again.

 

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on August 7, 2011 at 11:33am

John - just did a quick search on Wikipedia on "willow tree" and the only reference to its' use in musical instuments was as a flute.  On the the hand, apparently it is useful in China for sweeping out tombs, so there you go........

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 12:07pm

Hi Hal.

Thanks for that. I had seen the mention of use for flutes, but then according to this YouTube link you can make a clarinet from a carrot. 

Thanks for the info anyway.

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on August 7, 2011 at 1:07pm

LOL!  That one was great!  Did you see this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPedwnc5e_s&feature=related

Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw said:

Hi Hal.

Thanks for that. I had seen the mention of use for flutes, but then according to this YouTube link you can make a clarinet from a carrot. 

Thanks for the info anyway.

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on August 7, 2011 at 3:11pm

John,


Properties of Willow


Varied names: Black willow, white willow, crack willow, cricket-bat willow, and close-bark willow.
Appearance: Typically straight grained, sometimes interlocked with a fine, uniform texture.
Color: Pale reddish brown to grayish brown heartwood and whitish sapwood.
Physical features: Light, soft, and weak, with low shock resistance, decay resistance, and steam bending properties. Glues, screw, nails, and finishes satisfactorily.

Uses : Used for millwork, packing cases and boxes, artificial limbs, caskets, polo balls, cricket bats, Venetian blinds, slack cooperage, veneer, and inexpensive furniture.

Sounds perfect for a box body, or maybe even a soundboard, if you can let it dry for a couple years, then have a way of slicing it thin.

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 7:01pm

Hal.

Yes. And the rubber gloves and a few others.

Oilyfool.

I shall keep some for soundboards. It is a nice idea. They will have to be fairly small pieces as the trunk was rotten, but wide enough in the lower branches for a smallish instrument.

Thanks for the information.