Walnut bodied guitars - what do they sound like?

[solitaire]

On my persuit for a reasonably priced OM, I've browsed the domestic used market and found a walnut bodied, cedar topped Larrivee OM-09. I'm a bit in the dark about its tonal features. In the only OM-09W review at HC, the reviewer says it's between mahogany and rosewood, but Black Walnut being a hardwood it would rather be between rosewood and maple (?).

 

Have you ever played a walnut guitar and if so, what do you think it sounds like? I know the sound of the three species for bodies above and I own a cedar topped guitar, so I'm familiar with such soundingboards.

 

Cheers!

[guitarcapo]

I would think the cedar top would be way more a determinant of the guitar's sound than the back and sides. Walnut is kind of like mahogany and koa. Maybe a little more sharp and percussive . The cedar makes for a guitar with crisp highs and more definition but maybe more compression and distortion when stummed hard.

I do think they are a good choice for a smaller bodied guitar with fingerpicking in mind.

[tdawgodopolus]

http://www.lmii.com

 

Here's some info on walnut wood for the side and back:

 

Walnut, California

 

Well known for its use in fine furniture with the more figured material being a highly prized wood for veneers, this local wood has proven itself as a tonewood with large manufacturers and custom builders alike.

 

With its rich brown color and occasional black streaks, Walnut produces a striking instrument with a crisp, dry tone and a strong fundamental. Walnut works well in all respects, has a pleasant scent, and once it has been dried is very stable.

[solitaire]

Cheers, guys! The cedar top is for rounding the harshnes off, or so it says on the Larrivee homepage. I think I've got an idea on how the guitar may sound and I will test it one of these days.

[SurrealMcCoy]

..........one of the most dynamic acoustics I've ever played!

 

This guitar with it's Cedar top & Walnut back/sides is a fingerstylist's dream. I would say that it has the low end resonance (- the sustain) of Rosewood, along with clarity of Maple, & certain woody overtones of Mahogany. Even with hard strums, there is no evidence of any sort of compression via the Cedar top.

 

http://www.shorelinemusic.com/guitars/mcilroy_a25b.shtml

[fingerstyleman]

I've spent the last 6 months or so looking for a good, Spanish made, classical.

 

Settled on a Sanchez, which has Wlanut Back and Sides, Spruce top, wonderful guitar. Suits my fingerstyle well, though doesn't have the 'Spanish/Flamenco' bite a lot of people would look for in a nylon strung.

[d28andm1911a1]

Here is my custom walnut

 

I went in for mohog but when I played the walnuts he had I was sold.

 

http://www.stone-soup.com/northleft/littlemac.htm

[Andrewrg]

I`ll let you know when it arrives! I have a English walnut and spruce parlour being built by Brook guitars here in Devon,the Creedy model.I played an example before ordering mine and I have to say that not having experienced this wood on a small body I had no idea what to expect.They did have a walnut 000/0M to try and it sounded not dissimilar to rosewood/mahogany but a little more brittle-not in an unpleasant way,more like a brand new,not played-in guitar.Its due in February and should be a beaut!

[solitaire]

 

Originally posted by d28andm1911a1 Here is my custom walnut I went in for mohog but when I played the walnuts he had I was sold. http://www.stone-soup.com/northleft/littlemac.htm

 

Now the link should work.

http://www.stone-soup.com/northleft/littlemac.htm

[Ronaldo]

Nice guitar. That inlay is awesome. + 100 points for originality and mojo! Did you specifically request that or is it the builders trademark or something?

[solitaire]

Originally posted by Andrewrg I`ll let you know when it arrives! I have a English walnut and spruce parlour being built by Brook guitars here in Devon,the Creedy model.I played an example before ordering mine and I have to say that not having experienced this wood on a small body I had no idea what to expect.They did have a walnut 000/0M to try and it sounded not dissimilar to rosewood/mahogany but a little more brittle-not in an unpleasant way,more like a brand new,not played-in guitar.Its due in February and should be a beaut!

 

I'm sure it will be. I hear it's a costy business to have guitars made on baking order?www.brookguitars.com

[d28andm1911a1]

I had the inlays done with shells from my daily carry gun.

 

Give Mac a call and check his prices on customs.

 

doug

[fingerstyleman]

Here;s a couple of pictures of my Sanchez;

 

 

 

Her's a recording I did with it which will give you an idea of the tone.

 

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=466904&T=23

 

hope this helps.

[Andrewrg]

Very nice fsm,and a lovely crisp tone.

[solitaire]

Originally posted by fingerstyleman Here;s a couple of pictures of my Sanchez; Her's a recording I did with it which will give you an idea of the tone. http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=466904&T=23 hope this helps.

Cheers, fingerstyleman! That's a very likable sound.

[mahoganite]

Very Nice !

[GER]

Originally posted by Andrewrg I`ll let you know when it arrives! I have a English walnut and spruce parlour being built by Brook guitars here in Devon,the Creedy model.I played an example before ordering mine and I have to say that not having experienced this wood on a small body I had no idea what to expect.They did have a walnut 000/0M to try and it sounded not dissimilar to rosewood/mahogany but a little more brittle-not in an unpleasant way,more like a brand new,not played-in guitar.Its due in February and should be a beaut!

 

Let me know what you think of the Creedy.I had one made for me in 1999.Spruce top/indian rosewood back & sides,with my initials inlaid at the 12th fret.It's beautiful & sounds amazing for it's size.You can see the inlay on the Brook website in the Gallery.It's a close up photo & the initials are GSB.

I've just ordered a BOVEY as well but there's a ten month wait!!!Just goes to show how popular the Brooks are.

Did you go for the 010 trim or the more fancy 015?