silasklug Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I have been gifted a nice piece of birch to build a solid body guitar with. My first question would be, is the birch good for anything besides to practice on? Also, would it sound more like alder, or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 (edited) Birch is about the same density and strength as hard maple. Would make for a pretty heavy body. I have been considering using it for necks. Edited June 12, 2011 by orgmorg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFly Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Older guitars have necks made out of yellow birch. Its sturdy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I have used birch laminates in a neck, old Burns had birch neck IIRC and a fellow Swedish luthier Robban Sarling of Ares guitars uset in all the time. He says is sound pretty close to maple. I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silasklug Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Great. I look forward to this build now knowing that it won't be a complete waste of my time! It is going to be a guitar similar to a ibanez fireman, but with my own adjustments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_B Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 FWIW, drums shells are commonly made out of birch plys. They're often considered to be bright and dry sounding compared to a warmer maple shell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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