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Comment by Madurobob on January 1, 2012 at 1:16pm

HI Chris, mine is NA black walnut.  Most of my fingerboards are 1/4" thick pieces that I ebonize using a mixture of iron rust and cider vinegar.  I think those fingerboards turn out marvelous.  Nice and black, but with a grain you can see underneath if you look closely.  I can sand the edges a bit and give it a distressed look that compliments the overall look of a CBG.

The one I've completed with a non-reinforced all-walnut neck is a three string with a relatively narrow neck (just under 3/4" thick, 1 1/2" wide).  Its been strung and in tune for about 36 hours now and no visible warping beyond the minor deflection when I first tuned it.   I think its going to work fine, but I'll give it a couple of days to be sure.

And Dan - stay on!  Smoke a cigar and share a glass of bourbon before you run off!

Comment by Dan Sleep on January 1, 2012 at 12:03pm

So, if you find someone skulking around your back yard, making off with a bundle of that walnut under his arm, it is not me... just saying...

Comment by Chris Thomas on January 1, 2012 at 11:52am

Hi, I have a good stock of walnut myself but have not built a guitar as yet but would like to as a future project, what kind of walnut is it as common walnuts vary, English is best grade, North American Black mid range and French as a poor third. I make walking sticks and have used North American walnut for shanks having ebonised them using various Victorian and early 20th century methods which have a varied range of effects. I would be interested in your findings.  Regards Chris. :)

Comment by Madurobob on December 31, 2011 at 4:49am

Thanks John, thats an excellent resource.  I see it also lists walnut as having a slightly higher bending strength than the red oak I've been using.  Of course, with variations in growing conditions and all that, its just a rough guide.  But, as you say, encouraging.  I just finished the first of the batch of guitars - seems fine, but I'll need to leave it strung for a while to see how it reacts.

I milled the walnut a few years ago and had no plans for it then - just knew it was pretty and I'd think of something.  I've got about 400bf left.  If the guitar neck thing works out, that should keep me in guitar necks for a while!

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on December 31, 2011 at 3:09am

Hi.

I wouldn't take this list as absolute, but on the stiffness rating it puts walnut at 1.68Mpsi. Mahogany ranges from 1.4 to 1.5Mpsi, so that seems encouraging for walnut. Oak is 1.78 to 1.82Mpsi.

I really sympathise. Having a stockpile of walnut must be a terrible thing. Oh to have such problems.

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