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Burn mark on spruce
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Author:  pikolo [ Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Burn mark on spruce
Hi there!So i am curious.In old mandolins and bouzoukis they make a burn mark about 1cm behind the bridge. I understand that they make it so as to prevent top sinkage. But i have thought of something else. Is it possible that burning the wood at that point can prevent moisture absorption at that point?So the instrument is playing better?
Author:  SteveG [ Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Burn mark on spruce
The scorch mark is from "pliage", which is where the wood is heated over an iron to actually bend the wood to give the wood more of an arch. Sometimes it is lightly cut to introduce the arch instead. (It also helps with the string break angle to to the tailpiece.) Selmer guitars sometimes used the same hot pipe technique. Take a look here:

https://bumgarnerguitars.com/2014/04/03/pliage/

On some bowl-back mandolins you can see the crease where the pliage was done, as there is actually quite a sharp bend there.

It's really unlikely that it has anything to do with moisture transfer.

cheers, SteveG
Author:  banjopicks [ Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Burn mark on spruce
Word of the day "Pliage". Thanks, I'm going to start using that one.
Author:  Colin North [ Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Burn mark on spruce
banjopicks wrote:
Word of the day "Pliage". Thanks, I'm going to start using that one.

I just used it nudiustertian conversation.
Author:  banjopicks [ Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Burn mark on spruce
What the heck, and there's more. nudjwhodiwhatsis :-)
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