Wood For Resonator Guitar

[Chris Clem]

Chris, what thickness are you using? I found a local place that stocks it. Picked up an 1/8 (3mm) sheet today just to play around with. They have the other thickness up to 3/4 as well.
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The guitar I am building now is Tricone, although it is nothing like a National, but it does have three cones. I do not want the top to contribute to the sound so I am using 1/4" Baltic Birch. My top is flat and not arched. If I make it the back arched (like most acoustic guitar are)I would used two 1/8" pieces hard glue and curved together with curved braces (never use titebond glue on a radius, it will not hold the curve). The cones on my guitar go in from the back so I need a back panel and thicker wood. You can't bend 1/4" and expect it to hold the shape with just curved braces.

[Tim Toberer]

Since plywood won't work for sides, what are you using? Maple seems like a good match, I don't think I could find solid Baltic Birch that easily. I suppose I could veneer the top to match whatever sides I want.

I like the idea about arching the 1/8 ply. It seems very flexible.

[Chris Clem]

Tim, I used quarter-sawn Fir for the sides.....very sappy. Since it is what I would say is a prototype I didn't use my good woods. It is going to be finished in a solid (non transparent) color so I just used the Fir. I would have used Maple but the only Maple I have is very flamed .....didn't want to waste it on this.

[Tim Toberer]

Tim, I used quarter-sawn Fir for the sides.....very sappy. Since it is what I would say is a prototype I didn't use my good woods. It is going to be finished in a solid (non transparent) color so I just used the Fir. I would have used Maple but the only Maple I have is very flamed .....didn't want to waste it on this.

Ok that makes sense. I suppose many things would work. Thanks again