Has anyone got any comments or advice on turning antlers into saddles and nuts?
I can bring myself to salvage such materials from the wilderness. Or ebay.
I don’t have enough knowledge to help you with this subject but I like the idea. I will not use ivory on sheer principle and I want to work towards using more man made products in guitar building. Antlers on the other hand would be pleasing to use if they are suitable for guitar parts. I know deer shed them and grow new ones so I have no problem with it.
I am open to using any new materials that moves away from damaging the environment. Saving the planet is the biggest challenge we all face and I would rather not buy wood coming in from the Amazon rain Forrest for example. My first scratch build was with mahogany and even though it is a great wood to work with, I am so conscious of where it comes from. I read an article last week about things being built out of boards made from Hemp. It’s like a particle board type thing and very, very strong. Anything, any material I can build guitars out of, I will happily try it.
I will be interested to read Mark’s answer to this question.
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
Has anyone got any comments or advice on turning antlers into saddles and nuts?
I can bring myself to salvage such materials from the wilderness. Or ebay.
I’ve just found this
And this!
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
Has anyone got any comments or advice on turning antlers into saddles and nuts?
I can bring myself to salvage such materials from the wilderness.
Short answer: Don't
Long answer:
I understand that bone and antler need to be treated before using because they contain fat and grease which could eventually leach out and damage your instrument.
I've seen folk boil and bleach bone - the stuff you can buy from guitar makers suppliers is pretty white so I assume that is what has been done...also soaking in Acetone...I suggest you do a little more research before attempting such like.
Whatever you do - while you are working it - it is still going to stink worse than (one of my jokes)... ? ?
Personally I steer clear of bone these days unless it is for a special order. And I'm not vegetarian...
Bone is not necessarily the 'holy grail' - one piece can be very different to another and may contain soft spots and defects...it is often discoloured and looks nasty unless correctly treated as I mentioned.
oh yeah...Did anyone mention Anthrax? ? OK possibly a little unlikely but hey...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=musical+instrument+maker+dies+of+anthrax
hehehehehe
Measure twice, cut once...
Great. Antler Anthrax sounds nice. The band? ?
I did see the fat busting procedure for butcher cow bone. Didn't think it would be so bad for antlers. Jerry Rosa never mentioned it for his.
I kinda like the discolouration imperfections, but I guess density fluctuations is a concern.
The other option was getting pre-processed, white-clean dog chews from pet stores.
I did see the fat busting procedure for butcher cow bone. Didn't think it would be so bad for antlers. Jerry Rosa never mentioned it for his.
That's cool - just wanted to flag it up in case you were unaware.
Although I am not proud of it I have worked with Antler before - I think I still have a tiny bit kicking around...or bucking ...whatever...
I made some nuts and saddles - the stuff I had was Black and polished up lovely! But I don't think it was quite as hard as bone.
Yes...the guy I got it from was a specialist who handmade walking sticks. I believe they used them for the handle.
I seem to recall that he made a jig to compress the material after heating for several hours in a bath of water but I am not 100% sure of the procedure.
I'll certainly be interested to see how you get on!
Measure twice, cut once...