Rethinking Alaskan Yellow Cedar

[Dennis Weaver]

I went down the basement today and got out all the stored wood.

In the soundboard woods-

I have Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, and Alaskan Yellow Cedar soundboards all AAA or Master grade from 1996-97. (10 soundboards altogether)

All the plates are 3/16" to 1/4" thick but the Alaskan Yellow cedar really stands out as the wood with the tap tone ring!!

I thought that was my worst wood and here it might be the best.

[Michael Lewis]

It's a good structural material, but it tastes terrible.

[Dennis Weaver]

Next time get the "honey mustard sauce" with it.

[Matthew Lau]

I totally agree on the taste--also, it can smell like skunk.
I much prefer the smell of walnut, port orford cypress, rosewood--stuff that will likely kill me.

[Jim Kirby]

I don't think Alaska Yellow Cedar looks right for a top wood. I love it for backs and sides. I've built two blancas with it and have wood for several more. One of the guitars is, I think, probably the second best of the ones I've built, after an Indian and Cedar Romanillos classical. At any rate, I like the wood a lot, just not for tops.

[John Tuttle]

I've used it for numerous guitars and have been very happy with the tonal quality. The wood I have was cut in 1890 and is from old vinegar tanks so the smell and taste is closer to pickles than skunk.