The Lucky Strike Redwood. Tonewood profile
guitarbench
For your viewing pleasure, I have just published a profile on the
legendary Lucky Strike Redwood as part of my ongoing tonewood
database. As always, improvements, corrections and additional
information/ your own experiences are much appreciated- I'll update
the profile citing you and linking back to you! If you have an
experiences or data to share, I would be very grateful.
I can't link pics directly to here so do pop by to
http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2009/11/04/the-lucky-strike-redwood-tonewood-profile/
for the full Visual presentation. As always, I present the text
portion of the interview for your consideration- although I do highly
recommend popping by to see the pics!
Warmest regards,
Terence
http://www.guitarbench.com
Sequoia sempervirens | Tonewood Profile | ”Lucky Strike”
Tonewoods Database
From the forward-thinking David Young dreadnoughts (redwood/indian
rosewood) to modern jumbo/small jumbos usually redwood/walnut or /
ziricote, redwood tops have proven to be durable in use. The Young
Dreadnoughts have been in use since the 80s with no signs of playing
out!
Of all the Redwood tops on the market, the Lucky Strike tops from the
Carters’ stash are the most famous and highly sought after. Harvested
from a naturally storm downed redwood in California, these tops are
reknown for their tonal excellence and aesthetic properties.
Craig and Alica Carter, a remarkable husband and wife team were
reknown for salvaging naturally fallen redwood trees. Often they would
salvage logs from inhospitable terrain and private land to resaw into
some of the finest redwood sets ever seen in the lutherie community.
‘Lucky Strike’ is the name Craig gave to a log he thought of as
almost, if not truly perfect for guitar tops.
Craig found the Lucky Strike log in north-facing easement in a redwood
forest. It fell over a small depression, suspending a segment of the
log, allowing it to naturally ‘air dry’. In Autumn of 1993, Craig
started to salvage a portion approximately 60 feet long, 3 feet in
diameter and the final harvesting was completed by Alicia carter and
neighbours in 1997.
Craig cut soundboards from the segments as early as 1994. Hank Mauel,
luthier and friend of the Carters says: “Soundboards from this log
have been made into fine steel string (including arch top) and
classical guitars. Smaller billets have produced mandolins, as well.
Stiffness to weight ratio is said to be excellent; grain pattern and
coloration generally even, very straight, with lots of “silk.” Sound
characteristics combine the warmth of cedar with the clarity and color
of spruce with an added “sparkle”. This log set very high standards
for redwood soundboards – ones almost impossible to match. Craig cut
into over 100 downed logs before he found one – the LS - that met his
exacting standards.”
Almost every LS topped guitar I have played has exhibited astounding
EQ and efficiency. The trebles in every model are spetacular with a
liquid-silver like property.
Links:
Bashkin Guitars http://www.bashkinguitars.com/
Goodacoustics http://www.goodacoustics.com/
Acknowledgements:
Michael Bashkin
Craig & Alicia Carter
I am particularly indebted to my friend Hank Mauel who taught me so
much about the redwood tops!
©2009 Terence Tan.
Tom
<g>
Tom
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