Just Wonderin'

[richardp69]

So, between raging pain in both my knees and my hip and also a huge case (again) of insomnia, I laid awake trying to think of all the guitars I've owned. I know I didn't get them all for sure, but it was a nice journey none the less.

Then I started thinking about tone woods and excuse my ignorance, I should likely know this answer but I don't and I'm not shy so here we go. If Spruce, be it Sitka, Red or otherwise is revered as a top wood because it vibrates well, can be cut thinly and projects great, why have I not seen a guitar with Spruce sides or back??? Is it because it's too soft a wood and not suitable for back and sides?

 

[davismanLV]

Yeah, too soft. Different purposes sound board vs. echo chamber. Spruce is relatively soft wood and it dents fairly easily. I doubt it would work very well for the rest of the body. It might sound okay (I don't know) but is gonna be more fragile. That's my guess. What's wrong with your knees and hip? You can get help for that and don't have to be in pain. What's up with that?

 

[richardp69]

Yeah, too soft. Different purposes sound board vs. echo chamber. Spruce is relatively soft wood and it dents fairly easily. I doubt it would work very well for the rest of the body. It might sound okay (I don't know) but is gonna be more fragile. That's my guess. What's wrong with your knees and hip? You can get help for that and don't have to be in pain. What's up with that?

Pretty sure it's called old age Tom and my Dr. is pretty old school and not a big fan of pills. She's pushing knee and hip replacement but for many reasons I'm not willing to do that, at least not yet.

 

[Coop47]

Pretty sure it's called old age Tom and my Dr. is pretty old school and not a big fan of pills. She's pushing knee and hip replacement but for many reasons I'm not willing to do that, at least not yet.

Sorry to hear about your pain, Richard. FWIW my (then 73) y.o. mother has knee replacement surgery and was back walking a few miles a day within a few months. She's very happy she did and wished she had done it sooner. Your reasons are none of my business, but the earlier you can address something you'll need anyway, the more pain-free days you'll have ahead of you. (BTW, I have cited similar logic when justifying guitar purchases to my wife: "If I get this now, I'll have more time to enjoy it!")

 

[Br1ck]

I can attest to the fact that getting old sucks, but as my grandfather said, it beats the alternative. A lot rides on how you handle it. Musically speaking. I get very annoyed at my peers for having lost their need to strive to get better. They are content to coast along. This bugs me. Many haven't learned a new song in years.

But everyone has to cope with different physical issues. I've been blessed with relatively minor joint issues, but I did get my chest ripped open, otherwise known as a heart bypass. My chest ain't ever going to be the same. I had carpal tunnel surgery. My hand isn't going to be the same either, but the overall improvement was worth it. I could probably pop Alieve all day long, but I don't. I just soldier on, and try not to get into a lets tell health horror stories with my peers.

But I do think I should buy something for my 70th. Perhaps a nice mandolin.

 

[ruedi]

Riversong does an all spruce body guitar, check out:

https://www.riversongguitars.com/guitars/tradition_series/tradition-canadian/

And this guy here wants to sell it to you. Obviously the video was shot in a loud surrendings, so he had to SPEAK UP



Somewhere I have read (source forgotten...) that back in the day Norman Guitars made a spruce model, called Malik (I'm not sure?) and if memory serves it was said to be a "musicians guitar", because rather than projecting the sound to the audience it would vibrate it to the player due to the characteristics of the spruce wood.

Sorry to hear about your pain. I won't presume to give you advice, but maybe you rethink your decision of not doing anything against it? When I worked as a nurse I have seen a couple of patients with chronified pain which is very difficult to treat once you get there...

 

[SFIV1967]

Riversong does an all spruce body guitar...

Interesting, I didn't know! And the video is great! What a proud company owner/sales guy! That was fun!
Ralf

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

They've been at Winter NAMM...unique instruments and he's a nice fellow...Ruedi, that video was shot at Summer Namm which is smaller and not as noisy...imagine the volume at Winter Namm...

 

[HeyMikey]

Looking forward to your Riversong NGD Richard.

I checked out their website. Very interesting innovations. I’d love to see one in person someday.

 

[stormin1155]

Some years ago the local woodworking club had a contest where every contestant was given a single 8' 2x4, from which they could make anything. Some made model trains, some doll houses... one guy made an acoustic guitar. OK, so it wasn't spruce, but pine is a close cousin. I played it. It sounded fine.

So why don't builders make guitars with back/sides out of spruce? Probably tradition..... Probably because there are other woods that are prettier... more durable, more desirable sound characteristics.

 

[kostask]

In the mid-1970s-early 1980s, there were all spruce guitars made by Norman (Manik) and Lys (L15). The Norman was a square shouldered dread, and the Lys was a slope shouldered dread. Both had a reputation for really good tone, but rather low volume (as well as being light, weight wise).

 

[davismanLV]

@richardp69 remember that there are multiple different diagnoses and different ways to treat them!! That's why I asked!! Realize that I didn't just start out with joint replacement. Nope!! My ortho guy has been good with evaluating the cartilage and I started out with Euflexxa, which is a synthetic synovial fluid (like your body makes only not so much as you get older) and it's sold under different names but honestly when they shove that needle into your joint space it hurts but just for a moment and then..... the fake synovial fluid (joint lubrication) does it's job and makes movment and ambulation way less painful. Lasts up to six months or more. I did that until it really just stopped working (years later) and then he said, "Seroids!" Same thing.... they inject your knee and it inhibits the inflammation for a while, but after years of that then it stops working as well. Then he said, "Well joint replacement!! Are you ready and I wasn't but soon I got tired of hobbling, being limited in what I could do and taking pain meds, so.... I got 'em replaced! Can't say enough good for that procedure. I mean it's sore and painful (just like before) but then you get through PT and then you're fixed and you're feeling good and no pain and no limitation!! That's the knees. The hips are so much easier and I just got up and around and next thing I was on my bike and ... no PT and no rehab and I'm all healed up. It's amazing what they can do. So be careful how much pain you put up with my friend!! Life is short, and there's no need to limit yourself or live in pain. That's all I'm saying.... okay?? You decide......