Brought to my attention by musician and repairman Steve Nelson, who should be joining us shortly on this forum:
Grenadilla Wood, Environmental Effects, and Organic Bore Oil
by Larry R. Naylor
Eventually many of us will face the reality of deterioration of grenadilla and other wooden instruments. Some of us can use our favorite instrument for many years before its performance becomes unacceptable, while others have to replace their instruments more frequently. Some of us actually replace instruments every year or two!
Obvious indications of deterioration include cracks and raised grain in the bore. Less obvious problems include a deteriorating scale, increasing intonation problems, and declining resonance. Tuning pitch may drop below A-440 tuning. Often, one declares an instrument "played out" or "blown out" when these problems become extreme enough.
What can a performer do to avoid or even reverse this deterioration? I would like to share my attempts to answer this question. I will draw upon over 28 years of empirical data I have accumulated involving the use and effects of organic vegetable oils on grenadilla and rosewood.
Read more at Larry's site...
Grenadilla Wood, Environmental Effects, and Organic Bore Oil
by Larry R. Naylor
Eventually many of us will face the reality of deterioration of grenadilla and other wooden instruments. Some of us can use our favorite instrument for many years before its performance becomes unacceptable, while others have to replace their instruments more frequently. Some of us actually replace instruments every year or two!
Obvious indications of deterioration include cracks and raised grain in the bore. Less obvious problems include a deteriorating scale, increasing intonation problems, and declining resonance. Tuning pitch may drop below A-440 tuning. Often, one declares an instrument "played out" or "blown out" when these problems become extreme enough.
What can a performer do to avoid or even reverse this deterioration? I would like to share my attempts to answer this question. I will draw upon over 28 years of empirical data I have accumulated involving the use and effects of organic vegetable oils on grenadilla and rosewood.
Read more at Larry's site...