Alternative Lutherie Woods List

by Nicholas Von Robison

Originally published in American Lutherie #35, 1993 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Three, 2004



Western larch. Larix occidentalis. Western tamarack, hackmatack.

Western U.S. and Canada. 37 lbs/ft³; S.G. 0.59.

Heartwood pale red-brown with clearly marked growth rings. Straight grained with fine, uniform texture. Low stiffness, low shock resistance, and only medium bending strength. Very poor steam-bending classification. Dries fairly rapidly with tendency to distort. Kiln dries well but produces softer wood. Small movement in service. Very easily worked but knotty material is a problem. Difficult to harvest, moderate price, limited supply. Finishes well.