James Jones Instruments

Woods

This section hopefully will assist you in the selection of woods for your instrument. Displayed are visual samples of many, but not all, of the woods that could be used. I should remind you though that although a photo is helpful, wood in its amazing variety will almost always be slightly different than what you see. Although I've tried to keep the colors close to reality, they may be off when viewed on your monitor. Regardless these photos will at least get you in the ball park. Another page which might be of interest is a listing of some combinations of wood that other customers have selected for their instruments. Don't be limited by this list but at least you'll see some possibities.

Although generally a renewable resource, woodworkers everywhere face increasing difficulty obtaining quality woods from sources where responsible harvesting is taking place. Many of the tone woods take a generation to grow and are becoming more difficult to find. Some of the exotic trees like Brazilian Rosewood are so scarce that it's wood is like ivory and illegal to export. Substitutes will have to eventually be used. I strive to use quality materials and try to use most of what I purchase; smaller pieces going into bowed psalteries, thumb pianos, zithers and finally into hammered dulcimer playing hammers. What doesn't end up in an instrument usually warms my shop in the winter.

I encourage you to become informed about the economics and politics of the use of this resource. The key word is sustainable. The issues are many. I would also suggest you donate time or money to organizations that preserve, protect, or promote responsible use of our international resources. My favorite organizaton is the Nature Conservancy Planting a tree and limiting consumption won't hurt either.

If you have any questions regarding your choices, please e-mail or call me. I have a lot of experience to draw on.

If you'd like to learn a little bit more about each of the woods, click on the sample. Your click will take you to a Wikipedia article on that particular wood or a brief description I've put together

Tone Woods/Soundboards

These woods are desirable for soundboards as they are light, strong and acoustically responsive.

Natural Redwood

Stained w/GoldenOak

Note: Stain color is not predictable as it depends on the the initial wood coloring and how it accepts stain. This chip and the next one are meant to give you an idea of what the stain might look like on Redwood or Mahogany.

Stained with Java

Blackened
Redwood

Natural Spruce

Note: I won't stain spruce. It just doesn't take stain evenly.

Blackened Spruce

Cedar

This wood 's color varies greatly and is normally made black when used for hammered dulcimer soundboards but can be left natural for fretted dulcimers.