FORUM VII ORDER DEPOSIT POST

[Riverbend]

Help me remember; was the redwood gracing our Forum VII guitars  reclaimed from the river in the 1990's? When was it acquired by the Larrivees? I can't recall much of the backstory for this redwood or how many details were shared in the lead up thread. I just remember that I was in California hiking the redwood forests when the thread turned in this direction and I was immediately and irreversibly all in.

[BlueBowman]

I wonder if this opening up is even measurable. I'd think you would have to have an original recording and compare it to the present time.

I know Alan Carruth has measured his handbuilt guitars once strung up, and then he tracks the audible changes over time. He says they drop in pitch (the main top resonant frequency) the first week or two quickly, and then over time usually play down in frequency even more, but not as much as that first week. I would trust Alan to take accurate measurements. Changing (in this case, lowering) that main top RF will definitely alter the sound of the guitar. A little more responsive, a little warmer, etc. I think this is what we players are hearing when guitars "open up." Again, I think it's the wood relaxing from the prolonged string tension.

[B0WIE]

It's hard for me to make quotes on my phone but I'll touch on a few of the posts.

Redwood is non resinous and when wood has been in a river bed for many decades, there is an exchange of materials. In my sinker redwood guitar, you can see swirls and sparkles from where minerals from the river bed have attached to the wood. Normal Redwood doesn't have that. I say all that to say, I don't think there's any maturing left to be done. Not on in terms of aging, drying, or hardening.

Break in can definitely be measured. I've done so with recordings and a tonerite over weeks. But, the potential for break in varies with each guitar. Some will change quickly and many not at all. I think, all brand new guitars are going to change, for the reasons I mentioned earlier. The failure of the tonerite happens when someone treats it like it's an elixir that will just make things better. It's not like you can make the woods relax if they are already relaxed. Sometimes, that's all you get and the rest comes with decades of flexing and deformation.

I don't think the source for the Redwood was stated but the vast majority was pulled in the 90's. There's some coastal and other sinker redwoods but they're uncommon.

[Riverbend]

I had some down time today while we're on vacation so I dug back into the original thread. I was able to log in on my laptop, something I haven't been able to do for months, and that helped immensely not having to use my phone to navigate. But I found where the redwood source was described as "secret". I'll admit to being super excited about these guitars, that being a massive understatement. I can imagine myself staring at the top, examining the subtleties of the gorgeous flamed redwood. In between playing sessions, that is. I've reread much of the original thread, relistened to several YouTube videos of similar guitars, and just basically enjoyed being part of this process, and being part of the Larrivee family of owners. My appreciation for them only grows.     

[mike in lytle]

But I found where the redwood source was described as "secret".

I did some digging around after John made the "secret" comment, and I learned a lot.
There is a good story about a guy who got a lot of sinker out of Big River.
https://www.redwoodsalvagesales.com/the-salvage-story.htm
Also, this place sells a lot of redwood for instruments. Maybe ours too, who knows.
Mike

[StringPicker6]

There is definitely some magic in those redwood logs!

[B0WIE]

The wood most likely came from Mr Ciancutti's operation at some point. He was the pioneer and ran it up until it was no longer viable. However, there are groups and individuals who bought large amounts and distribute it independently. Anything from commercial companies to instrument builders. If someone wants to know the story of their redwood top, Arky Ciancutti's salvage operation is a good place to look.

[Riverbend]

The mystique only adds to the story of these guitars.

[Rockysdad]

        

I wonder when these might be delivered?

[StringPicker6]

Will the serial number be a 2025 build or a 2026 build... Let's pray for 2025 build! 

[Riverbend]

I'm cautiously predicting a January 19th delivery date for mine. What a great birthday present that would be!

[Queequeg]

Will the serial number be a 2025 build or a 2026 build... Let's pray for 2025 build! 

Build dates are the year construction began on the instrument

[StringPicker6]

 

[Rockysdad]

    

[Rockysdad]

    

[StringPicker6]

 

[kaos]

it won't be long    

[StringPicker6]

it won't be long    

Isn't that the title of a Beatles song from 1964? 

[Queequeg]

Isn't that the title of a Beatles song from 1964? 

♪♫yeah yeah yeah ♪♫

[B0WIE]

I think the first song I shared online was me singing this while playing my old Ramirez classical. Love this song.