Official Luthiers Forum!

Here is the latest Luthier Tips du Jour video - In this video I show the rosewood substitute known as Rocklite. This video as well as all my other videos are available via my website, http://www.obrienguitars.com/videos , LMI's website or on youtube.

I would have no problem using Rocklite in my work. I do have a question.... Someone is going to THINK it's rosewood, and demand proof of the material. What can I offer as a counter argument?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

chris Burn a scrap offcut to show them the wonderful chemical smell, or an official note from LMI your supplier , it/s a winner thanks robbie

Nice, except I can get a couple of board-feet of Rosewood for the price of one blank. I don’t understand why no one else seems to mind the absurd pricing.

I guess I’ll have to wait for the inevitable imitators to bring the price down to something more reasonable.


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I wonder if anyone has sent this material to Brian Burns for acoustic testing? Especially in the case of using it for a bridge in an acoustic guitar (arguably the most critical piece of wood in an acoustic guitar) or fretboard of an electric guitar (arguably mated to the most important piece of wood in an electric guitar). From reading Rocklite's web site (http://www.rocklite.co.uk/), they assert the real wood look, sustainability, and unique grain per piece to be the key qualities as a substitute tonewood. I'm sure that's a huge plus for mass market guitar makers. As a luthier I would expect acoustic property, (especially as bridge and fretboard material) to be in the top two characteristics.

Neat looking stuff, acoustic questions aside!

Andy

I would probably be more inclined to experiment with their ebony product, since getting good ebony is a bigger struggle than getting good EIR.

Since your going synthetic, why not try an Alpilignum body (back and sides anyway). It is a prefinished wood and hpl composite designed to replicate the look of various wood types, including Macassar ebony, wenge and other exotics. Being prefinished with a nice highly polished durable material saves time in the spray booth.

www.alpiwood.com/en/collezioni-list.php?id=23&t=w

I suppose in the new world of Internet guitars, the objectives are looks and sales based on photos. Acoustics? Q-factor?

Andy

It's part of the mindset that checks out the item at the store, buys it on Amazon and then wonders why the store goes out of business. Remember the good old days when people bought the same guitar they played in the store?