Stinkwood may look a little plain for the back and sides.

Average Joe wrote: I have a friend trying his (prodigiously skilled) hand at classical guitar making.
After playing his prototype (mostly built of wenge) .... GAS!

My order is in - but i wuld just like to hear if anyone has any comments on wood selection.

Has anyone played - or would care to guess what it would be like - a classical guitar with stinkwood neck, back and sides?
Also - any guesses if it would combine equally well with cedar or spruce?

I can't say much about stinkwood as a tonewood or how it works with different top woods - and if your order is in then you may be committed to using that wood. However, the top is crucial to the sound and you should understand the differences between spruce and cedar in this regard - the attack being one of the significant differences.

This may help
http://www.benjaminguitars.co.uk/woods.htm (there is also some fine guitar pron on that site).

With Cedar there is far less "playing in" time than with spruce.

Thanks for comments so far....

"Stinkwood may look a little plain for the back and sides"
True-ish - the grain is not prominent but once finished properly it has a lustre like few woods, and as it catches the light it shines and changes hue magically.
It has a sober sort of stateliness to me.
I'm keen on it as long as the tone is good.

"if your order is in then you may be committed"
Order is in - but we're still finalising the details.

Cedar / spruce
I'm keen on getting a warm sort of tone.
I've also recently hit 40 - so the sooner it mellows the better.

I'm 99% sure what I want:
Cedar top
Stinkwood back neck and sides
African blackwood fretboard, bridge and all the other bits

I just want to know if there maybe any surprises - as I've never heard of Stinkwood used in guitars before.

Hey Average Joe

Can't you put up some pics of the Guitar in Question? Would be good stuff to see and even hear it.

I am in two minds about Cedar vs Spruce in Nylon guitars. Warm vs Bright, maybe I need to have one of each ?

I suspect it will end up sounding like walnut back and sides - brighter and more detailed than mahogany, but not as bright as maple. I'd try a cedar top first.

Squonk wrote: I am in two minds about Cedar vs Spruce in Nylon guitars. Warm vs Bright, maybe I need to have one of each ?

Cedar for me, unless it's a flamenca.

Brilliant!
Thanks Alan.

Thats about what I was feeling / expecting / hoping.
I just needed to hear it from someone who knows more than me.


I will post pictures as soon as the guitar is done (or sooner).

The builder is Rudolf van der Spuy in Paarl.
You will not find a finer cabinet maker.
The last 2 years he has been focusing on making classical guitars.
I'm sure he won't mind some publicity.

Oh no!

I smell bad enough after a gig anyway without having the guitar smelling as well! 8)

selbydoodl wrote: Oh no!

I smell bad enough after a gig anyway without having the guitar smelling as well! 8)

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
First a parlour guitar, then a bedroom guitar now a lavvee guitar?

I cannot comment on the woods but the post is following an interesting flavour.