I AM SO EXCITED!!. I found via the internet a fellow luthier on the East Coast who offered what he described as fine grained Redwood salvaged from old water tanks on the roofs of New York City buildings. We negotiated a little trade of wood, Redwood and sycamore for Quilted maple, Western red cedar and a bit of Engelmann spruce. I received the Redwood and Sycamore Saturday. The Sycamore is wonderful, but the Redwood is heart stopping
Fifty years or more in the past old growth redwood was being logged. The lumber was used for water tanks sent all over the country. I first learned of this by visiting Eric Devine on Maui. He had found one plank from an old water tank that was quarter sawn and wonderfully close grained. I was fascinated and jealous. He described it as "master grade Redwood" and raved about its tonal qualities.. I agree, and now I think I have wood that is even better.
Today I took the two chunks of redwood to George Thomas's workshop. George a luthier friend and fine guitar maker, recently bought a really nice band saw that I knew would most efficiently saw this precious wood. And here it is. I have enough for nine tenor ukuleles. Just take a look at the tightness of the grain. It tap tones as hard and bright. I expect it to make incredible ukuleles.
