himalayan cedar

[Happy Builder]

has any one used himalayan cedar for top its other name is deodar
if yes then what should be its thickness

[Happy Builder]

thanks paul
i am going ahead with using himalayan cedar - i like the look - i also like the tap sound
i have one more question-- i read that western red cedar does not improve with years of aging
spruce sound better with age
what about himalayan cedar

[Paul Hostetter]

Western red cedar does start out "mature" which is not quite the same thing as "does not improve with age." But it's not a true cedar, and it's commonly used and well known, whereas your deodar cedar is so uncommon that it has no profile. Certainly not with me. But I wouldn't hesitate to use it if it passed the usual tests one applies to instrument tops. You're the pioneer here. It's an opportunity, don't miss it! And by all means, once you've done it, please let everyone know how it went.

BTW, where did you even find this wood?

[Happy Builder]

i had a chest made of this wood
it comes from north indian himalayas
it is dirt cheap wood - say one dollar per board foot - internet price in india + shipping - which makes it unafordable otherwise
i opened up my chest as it was not required and have a lot of pieces of these 10 inch by 2 inches planks
it seemed just like spruce but softer on surface and stronger when you try to break it
tap sound is also ok
so first i thought that i would use it for bracing
but then why not for the top
it is old wood thats why the question on its maturity

i have to dry the side rosewood for foru weeks then i will be able to write about its sound

[Happy Builder]

hey paul i just found out that i am not a pioneer
many people in middle east and east europe already use true cedars as top of instruments
so i think now i can safely use it
i just wanted to know the sound difference but i will have to find it out for myself
the attached file shows extract of a book by a chillean luthier where he says true cedar is his fav

[Happy Builder]

one more

[Happy Builder]

paul i really need to know if deodar aka himalayan cedar can be used for guitar tops
i have plenty available in my shop

[Tim Mace]

Why not if the grain is good and straight like spruce fashion a new top and see how it taps out and go for it! Got it done yeti? Ask Frank!!~!!