Willow - any use for CBGs?

Posted by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on August 7, 2011 at 2:05pm

I have had to cut down a willow tree in my garden. Much of it was rotten, but there is some decent wood. I imagine that it is not suitable for necks, but is it of any use at all? I can't see many mentions of willow on CBN, so wonder if it is unsuitable. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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  • Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw August 8, 2011 at 2:01am

    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.

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague August 7, 2011 at 10:11pm
    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.
  • Habanera Hal August 7, 2011 at 8:07pm

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

    https://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.

  • Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw August 7, 2011 at 7:07pm

    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.

  • Habanera Hal August 7, 2011 at 6:33pm
    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........
  • Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw August 7, 2011 at 5:55pm

    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.

     

  • colin mcgrath August 7, 2011 at 5:39pm

    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.

  • Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw August 7, 2011 at 2:53pm
    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.
  • Jarmo Katajisto August 7, 2011 at 2:37pm
    Maybe you can use it for Diddley Bow?
  • Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw August 7, 2011 at 2:37pm
    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?
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