Cherry

[Brian T]

I've got a line on a big chunk of a black cherry tree. It's about 40 or 50 years old (estimating form the size). The man is going to give it to me if I work it up and move it. It was brought down during a summer storm that eastern Virginia is famous for. I would like to hear some opinions about this as a tonewood. Also, how long does it need to season and do you prepare it the same as you would any other hardwood (tonewood)? Thanks

[Michael Lewis]

Cherry wood is good for making instruments, much like maple. Cut, seal, and season like maple.

[douglas2cats]

You might want to be just a tiny bit suspicious of the wood. Black cherry trees quite often just sort of fall down due to rot in the trunk. Had one go over in my yard once from nothing more than a stiff breeze. Found out later it's not all that uncommon. If it's got splintering at the point that it snapped off, you're probably good. Just make sure it's good solid wood before you invest a lot of time on it.

[Brian T]

It is solid. It came down during a thunder storm with high winds. Splintered a good bit at the base. I'll porbably work it up this weekend.

[Eugene]

I really like 19th-c. guitars in cherry. I've never played mandolins backed in cherry. I'm eager to hear how the project turns out.

[Brian T]

I have heard one that was made from cherry. It has good volume but the tone is just a little darker than maple. Sounds really good. I'm thinking of using it to make a mandola.

[Michael Lewis]

Brian, the tone you attribute to cherry should more appropriately be attributed to the execution of the instrument design than the material. Follow a good drawing(McRostie/ Siminoff/ Davis) for the arching and keep the graduations in the ball park and you should not be dissappointed.

[sunburst]

I built a Cherry F5 style mando in '91 or '92. It was loud with pretty good tone, a little bright.
About like the maple ones I was making at the time. I feel like it's a good tone wood.