Tom's Walnut Signature Deluxe

[mica]

I unearthed this fantastic grafted Walnut piece from our wood pile:

  After bookmatching, mom, Mary, Kris and I conferred to pick the top:

  and the back:

  And the simple sandwich with Walnut top and back and Cherry core on the first shaping fixture:

  Sweet!

[David Houck]

What a cool piece of wood!

[mica]

Neck to body attachment:  

 

 

 

[funkyjazzjunky]

I like that Walnut.
 
Grafted Walnut?  Is that two species?

[mica]

It's a common practice for orchards here in California. They use the native Walnut as the rootstock, since its adapted to live in the clay soils we have. Then a European Walnut is grafted on since they tend to make larger and tastier walnuts. At the grafting boundary, really interesting things happen.

[dualtonality]

looks fantastic!!  beautiful top wood.  shaping up nicely.  thanks for the updates!

[dadabass2001]

Congratulations Tom.  
That walnut is just incredible! I see a Spade suite for cards ... or perhaps something more intimate. But what amazing figuring. Mica, did you use it all, or is there enough for another top?
 
Mike

[rushfan]

that is a nice bass!! i really want to see it completed.
 
(Message edited by rushfan on October 14, 2008)

[cozmik_cowboy]

So, what I'm wondering is this: is there a tonal reason for using the Black Walnut side for the bass bouts & the European Walnut side for the treble?    (While I am being facetious, would any of us be surprised to find out that Alembic  did take like something into account?)
 
Peter
 
(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on October 15, 2008)

[mica]

With some finish:

It's so pretty.

[jacko]

WOW! That is stunning!
 
graeme

[georgie_boy]

Stunning!!
Funny....I was just reading about grafted walnut yesterday, and fall upon this today.
Nature can be cruel, but so beautiful as well.
 
george

[dualtonality]

Wowsers!! absolutely gorgeous.

[funkyjazzjunky]

Beautiful

[mica]

Most of the finish now:
 

 
Just getting preset, which means the stainless steel frets are now in place, and the hardware is going over to the chrome plater tomorrow.