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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | A friend of mine asked me a question today about my Legend LX that I really had no idea how to answer. He commented on how pretty the spruce top is on the guitar, then he asked me how old is the spruce they use on guitar tops? Does anyone have any idea what the age would be for spruce used in guitar tops? |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Wait a minute.....is this a "trick" question?! The wood is as old as the date of the guitar's manufacture. Or, are you asking what's the age of the average spruce tree at the time of harvest, to produce lumber large enough for soundboards? With real tight grain, you can get 40 annular rings to the inch- do the math. Average is usually about fifteen to twenty, though. Aging and drying times vary by manufacturer. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Thanks Chris, yes I was trying to figure the age of the tree at harvest. Ovation sure uses beautiful spruce on their guitars. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The answer is real old. The next question's answer is that tops should be seasoned at least 1-2 years (I think I remember this correctly, if not someone jump in with the right number) before manufacture. Air dried is best but most use kiln dried spruce for the major drying and let the air dry be the final stage. I think if you push it you can go in a year from cut to strum but longer is better. The last thing you want is the top continuing to dry out after it's on the guitar. |
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How Old?