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Has any body tried this. Does the wood discolor from the heat. I built a strum stick out of Purple heart that sounds great and has really good sustain. I thought I would like to try to build a Ukulele or Guitar out of it, if it can be bent.

I've not used it, though I have a set. But I've seen guitars made from it. So I know it's possible.

Thanks Zeke

http://www.lonewolfguitars.com/options_ ... _wood.html

If you scroll to the "P" section you will find a good picture of a purple heart back and side set.

http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.co.at/201 ... heart.html

A blogger posted this.

I have seen other examples of purpleheart guitars but i can not find them so i found these to show ya. I think it looks pretty good, when the color turns i am not sure how they will look though. It is supposed to turns a rich deep purple brown so in the ase of the bloggers guitar that might be a good thing since it is so light, or maybe not haha. Purple heart is a fascinating wood to me, would love to see the end results in your project.

I have no info on heat exposure being an effect on color loss to the wood. I only knew that UV light exposure will turn the wood color. So best to keep it locked up in a safe, in the closet, in a dark room, doors and windows closed and then take it out only on the darkest of moonlit nights to play at the stroke of midnight. I jest of course.

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Fylde guitars in the UK have made a few Purpleheart guitars.

http://www.fyldeguitars.com/custom_guitars/fanfret.html
http://www.fyldeguitars.com/personal_se ... ariel.html

Fresh sawn purpleheart tends to be a nondescript brown color. Heat from the saw blade will sometimes make the surface turn the purple it will eventually become. A light sanding will change these areas back to the nondescript brown of fresh sawn wood. Bending with heat works much the same, but you may have to sand a bit more.

I noticed that on my build. When I hand sanded it it came back to purple. Thank you guys for all the info. I don't know any Lutherie's in my area. I can always get help when I need info on here. Thank you.

I have some purpleheart binding I cut today. Got it in water soaking. Will try and bend it tomorrow or sometime this weekend. Putting it around(maybe) a baritone Uke. So we 'll see. Wish me luck.


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A hardwood seller near me had some Purple Heart on display for a few years. After that, it was plain old brown. Never understood why he never changed it out for a fresh piece.

When I bought my piece I was told it would eventually change color.


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Btw, it would seem toe if a good IV inhibiting finish were used, it would stay purple. I've asked questions in the past, but I've never learned of a true UV inhibiting finish, hard to believe they don't exist. Maybe just keep rubbed down with SPF 30?

And a wide-brimmed hat!

"A hardwood seller near me had some Purple Heart on display for a few years. After that, it was plain old brown. Never understood why he never changed it out for a fresh piece."

Maybe he was an "honest" hardwood seller and wanted to show people what it would eventually look like. Some purpleheart seems to stay purple, while other pieces seem to turn brown after a few years.

"Btw, it would seem toe if a good IV inhibiting finish were used, it would stay purple. I've asked questions in the past, but I've never learned of a true UV inhibiting finish, hard to believe they don't exist. Maybe just keep rubbed down with SPF 30?"

Most of the finishes I've used with "UV" protection seem to have color and only be semi transparent. Rub a little mud on your guitar, anyone?

Do you think copper tone might help?


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I made a purpleheart Irish Bouzouki about 3 years ago and it still doesn't have any "finish" on it. It is as purple today as it was when first worked. It is brown when freshly cut and turns back to purple on exposure to air and, I assume, light. The sides bent easily with a light spray of water.

The instrument in the picture. I was spraying my final coat lacquer on it. My 23 year old daughter walked by and bumped it. Fell 5 feet to concrete floor and the top shattered. So it's going back to the shop tomorrow.

ouch!

In my experience, Purple Heart oxidizes to purple from brown after resawing..

Purple heart bends like a dream. I built a soprano Uke out of Purple Heart, bends easy and is stable,

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