Wood Database

I have been collecting wood for over 50 years, which is why Luthiers Supplies is a kind of (untidy) museum of wood, most useful, but some just collected out of interest. The woods listed are the regular repertoire of what is needed, so it’s always worth asking for unusual things. Some come and go, and some like Tasmanian timbers have just arrived!

We often photograph what is unique or difficult to describe, also bear in mind that we convert much of our stock here, so offer a custom cutting, planing and sanding service.

The timber descriptions which follow are based on my experience. Consequently there is much more to be discovered by further reading.

Please do bear in mind that timber has a surprising/annoying facility for not conforming to descriptions or expectations.

Timbers like Mahogany and Indian Rosewood are sufficiently valuable, and endangered, to have been replanted, sometimes outside their original range. There are big differences between the old growth timber, usually both denser and deeper in colour, and faster grown plantation timber.

In some cases two samples or pictures, are necessary. Timber that shows strong medullary ray figure e.g – London Plane looks very different when tangentially sawn or flat sawn, drab and almost featureless, but when radically ‘quarter sawn’ (known as ‘lacewood’) it can look spectacular.

A Database of our stocked woods

Spruce

Name: Spruce
Origin: Alpine Europe
Colour: White
Latin Name: Picea Abies
Weight: Very Light
Description/Notes:

When slow grown straight grained and quarter sawn, this is the most versatile and important sound board wood. Used for centuries for pianos, violin family, guitars and lutes. Usually sourced from well managed forests.

Spruce Sitka

Name: Spruce Sitka
Origin: North West USA
Colour: Buff-white to mid-brown
Latin Name: Picea Sitchensis
Weight: Very Light
Description/Notes:

Generally more dense than European spruce, stronger and tougher. Suits most metal string instruments. Sitka conservation is encouraged by harvesting salvaged or fallen trees.

Walnut – Black Walnut

Name: Black Walnut
Origin: Temperate Zones
Colour: Often deep purple brown
Latin Name: Juglans Nigra
Weight: Medium
Description/Notes:

Works well and bends easily, tends to grow bigger and straighter than English Walnut so consequently more stable. Clairo Walnut is a U.S hybrid which can produce beautiful colours and flame figure.

Walnut – English Walnut

Name: English Walnut
Origin: Eastern Europe and western Asia
Colour: Cream, pales browns with darker or black lines
Latin Name: Juglans Regia
Weight: Medium
Description/Notes:

Works well and bends easily.

Yew

Name: Yew
Origin: Temperate zones
Colour: Orange brown with cream sapwood
Latin Name: Taxus Baccata
Weight: Medium (a very hard ‘softwood’)
Description/Notes:

Strong and flexible (longbows). Straight, evenly grown timber is hard to find, so there is much waste in producing wood for Luthery. In great demand for lute ribs and back & sides.