Something new

[stevenw1963]

Just recently I have been looking into turning / making some musical instruments.

I have been researching & looking for books / webpages that have relevant info - do you know, there is very little out there that give specifics.
Anyway decided on a book called 'the amateur wind instrument maker' & going to have a look at making flutes & the like when it arrives.

Am also interested in making a marimba (similar to a xylophone but in wood) and have found that Honduran rosewood is the best timber for the sound bars.
I would need 'bars' of approx. 15'' length, 1 1/2'' thick & approx. 2 or 3 '' width.
Anyway, my questions:
anyone know where the cheapest supply of this timber is in the UK? most hardwoods would produce a sound but this rosewood gives the best sound apparently.
Anyone got any books hanging around they no longer need or would lend me, about instrument making?

Cheers for any info

 

[yorkshireman]

Exotic Hardwoods UK Ltd

Plenty of choice there Steven.
This is something I want to do myself. I've made a harp and started a ukulele. I want to make a dulcimer and irish whistle. Unfortunately work is getting in the way.

 

[stevenw1963]

Exotic Hardwoods UK Ltd

Plenty of choice there Steven.
This is something I want to do myself. I've made a harp and started a ukulele. I want to make a dulcimer and irish whistle. Unfortunately work is getting in the way.

Very expensive from there, had a look, especially if I move to make a 5 octave marimba, padauk is also quite a good wood for this type of instrument.
I'll let you know what that book is like when I get it.

 

[Twister]

try timberline

Exotic Hard Woods | Specialist Timber - Honduras Rosewood

Steve

 

[Buckeye]

Just recently I have been looking into turning / making some musical instruments.

I have been researching & looking for books / webpages that have relevant info - do you know, there is very little out there that give specifics.
Anyway decided on a book called 'the amateur wind instrument maker' & going to have a look at making flutes & the like when it arrives.

Am also interested in making a marimba (similar to a xylophone but in wood) and have found that Honduran rosewood is the best timber for the sound bars.
I would need 'bars' of approx. 15'' length, 1 1/2'' thick & approx. 2 or 3 '' width.
Anyway, my questions:
anyone know where the cheapest supply of this timber is in the UK? most hardwoods would produce a sound but this rosewood gives the best sound apparently.
Anyone got any books hanging around they no longer need or would lend me, about instrument making?

Cheers for any info

I love the sound of the marimba and I hope you will be taking photos when you start your creation, I look forward to seeing it, good luck with the search for the wood, I thought of Exotic Hardwoods as well, maybe Neil Farrer can give you a heads up where to get it at reasonable prices.

Peter

 

[stevenw1963]

Thanks for the info all.
Have further found that the 'softer' hardwoods give a better tone than the 'hard' hardwoods so if anyone can give me an idea on other woods of that ilk rather than rosewood & padauk, that is easier to get hold, of that would be great ta.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Best of luck with your new project it all sounds very interesting. I look forward to seeing how you progress

Vic

 

[Grump]

Thanks for the info all.
Have further found that the 'softer' hardwoods give a better tone than the 'hard' hardwoods so if anyone can give me an idea on other woods of that ilk rather than rosewood & padauk, that is easier to get hold, of that would be great ta.

Plywood.
Contiboard.
Chipboard.
MDF.
Pine.

 

[Jim]

Good luck with it Steven, i also would be interested in your progress .. I have bought many musical instruments over the years including, mouthorgans, penny whistles, guitars, organs but never mastered any ..

 

[stevenw1963]

Plywood.
Contiboard.
Chipboard.
MDF.
Pine.

I suppose if I varnish these 20 or 30 times before I begin they will then be quite hardwoods Brian

Not much tonal quality mind!!

 

[Jimjam66]

Try chatting to Dave (lignaterrae). He and I exchanged messages regarding instrument wood and he has some rather lovely stuff stashed. I'm going to guess (if his pen blanks are anything to go by) that he will be reasonably priced.

I have a book on making electric guitars, but you should try MIMF (if they are still going) as well as project guitar. MIMF particularly is quite eclectic in it's range of instruments.

 

[Neil Lawton]

Not sure if you have seen this or not Steven.
Marimba Building

 

[wm460]

Thanks for the info all.
Have further found that the 'softer' hardwoods give a better tone than the 'hard' hardwoods so if anyone can give me an idea on other woods of that ilk rather than rosewood & padauk, that is easier to get hold, of that would be great ta.

Plywood.
Contiboard.
Chipboard.
MDF.
Pine.

 

[paulm]

I look forward to seeing the result Steven especially if you make it from one of Brians suggestions.

 

[Tephy]

A friend says Rosewood is the best, if not then bubinga comes close. It is expensive but quality often is. Other than that ..

 

[Tephy]

sorry , forgot to add that he says a cheaper hardwood can easily go out of tune with an ambient temperature change whereas the rosewood is more stable. Once you have shaped and then sanded to tune, in say a workshop of 18 degrees if it is then moved and played indoors at 21 degrees it will be out of tune using cheap wood ( probably sharp ) Hope this helps

 

[Grump]

Why use wood? What's wrong with plastic or tin?
You could stick a transfer to a bit of corian or cast the contents of your dustbin in acrylic.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing the "in progress" photos once you start

 

[Penpal]

The only two vital to me things are quality and suitability both control tone Good luck on the cheap.find out common use instruments are another world enjoy the ride.

Peter

 

[stevenw1963]

Try chatting to Dave (lignaterrae). He and I exchanged messages regarding instrument wood and he has some rather lovely stuff stashed. I'm going to guess (if his pen blanks are anything to go by) that he will be reasonably priced.

I have a book on making electric guitars, but you should try MIMF (if they are still going) as well as project guitar. MIMF particularly is quite eclectic in it's range of instruments.

Been on the MIMF Dave, eclectic isn't the word!!
Yes, seen that too Neil, thanks anyway.

Have seen marimbas made out of all sorts, oak, padauk, rosewood, plastic pipe for the resonators, going to have another think on this re the wood. Cheers Tephy, yes I had read that also about the wood going out of tune if it isn't the right kind.

Will keep looking, thanks for the help & info