Ivory in guitars??

[SunshineDreamer]

There's this guitar that I want to buy, but the guy in the store said it has ivory lining. What does this mean?? Is the lining made of real ivory or is it something else that is just called so? :confused:

[Quizeen]

If he's just talking about some of the inlays (like in the neck) it very well could be real ivory, the guitar might be older (before non-import laws), made in a country without import laws, or the ivory is antique. You might just ask him to clarify a bit.

[Bobsy]

Do you know what the make/model of the guitar is?

[SunshineDreamer]

It's a Yamaha CPX-5 Tbb guitar.
Thank you for the info Quizeen. :)

[Bobsy]

I think he could be describing the colour of the lining. As Quizeen said, guitars haven't been fitted with ivory for many, many years, and the Yamaha looks like a new guitar :)

AFAIK, the only parts of a guitar that would ever be made of ivory are the fretboard markers (the inlays), or the machine heads (tuning pegs).

But, check with the guy to be sure!

[Loki]

http://www.gakki.com/catalog16/yamaha_cpx5.jpg

It looks like a nice guitar! There are a lot of animal products which could potentially end up in guitars. I tried out plenty of guitars before getting my new one, and enquired about the aestethics, and it's amazing what sort of stuff they use. One washburn caught my eye, and whilst playing it, I said "The binding is weird" Turns out it's tortoiseshell. I dunno if it was real or if that wa sjust the name of the pattern, but kinda creepy.

I generally don't worry about animal products in guitars. It may be held together with animal glue, or whatever, and my latest guitar has abalone inlays. (Abalone and mother of pearl are often used for inlays. Although plastic is often used in cheaper guitars.)

I doubt it will actually be ivory. It'll probably refer to the colouring effect.

Well, I consider a guitar, or any other musical instrument a one-off purchase. It will last you a while, and you'll enjoy playing it. It's not like you buy a guitar every week. (Although, that would be the kind of thing I'd do.) I wouldn't consider it worth worryin gabout fretting (No pun intended) over the animal products that may be in a guitar, but here's a list of potential animal products in guitars, in case you are worried:

Glue made from animal hide
Mother of pearl and abalone used as inlay
Bone as a bridge or top nut.
Tortoiseshell as binding (Not sure if it's actually used) Not very common.
Shellac as a varnish

I'm personally a little freaked out about bone as a top nut. Most top nuts and bridge saddles are plastic, especially on cheaper guitars. It's easy to recognise plastic bridges, since they'll have those telltale injection-moulded lines. But topnuts and bridge saddles can be made out of a lot of materials. Including a variety of metals. I'm interested in how a guitar fitted with a granite top nut would sound. If i ever make my own guitar, i'll try that!

[SunshineDreamer]

Thank you for the information everybody!! :D
Loki, that tortoiseshell thing does sound very creepy! I hope it's not really from tortoiseshell! :spew: Thanks for the list of animal products! :-)

[Life2k]

Most of the time what they call tortoise shell is cellulose plastic. Tortoise would be quite expensive and anything with real ivory would cost a fortune. How expensive is it compared to other like items?

[SunshineDreamer]

Well it costs $299, but that's the clearance price and it's worth $399 (or at least that's what the people in the store say...) The other guitars in the store are from $150 to $500 or so, but I'm not sure which ones are the like items, cause I don't know that much about guitars. :-/

[Bobsy]

From the picture Loki posted it looks like an electro-acoustic (yes?) and if that's the case then $299 is about mid-to-low price, I think. Some acoustics can cost thousands :) My bf got his electro-acoustic for £180 and that was the cheapest one we could find.

I googled the yamaha, and it seems like the price you got quoted is a good deal. Do a search and see if you can find any reviews (you don't need to include the 'Tbb' - I think that refers to the colour) :)

I'm as convinced as I can be without actually seeing the guitar that it's not real ivory, but if you want to set your mind at rest it's a good idea to check with the store, or give Yamaha a call.

[Bankruptor]

There's no way those inlays are real ivory. It's polymer. Totally man made. :)

[SunshineDreamer]

Yay! :bobo: :D

[Loki]

It looks like a good guitar. I hope you enjoy it! It'll have minimal animal products in, so i'd say get it.

And now I'm really interested in getting a granite topnut. (fter suggesting it would be a cool idea.)

[SunshineDreamer]

It looks like a good guitar. I hope you enjoy it! It'll have minimal animal products in, so i'd say get it.

And now I'm really interested in getting a granite topnut. (fter suggesting it would be a cool idea.)
I'm still not sure which guitar I'll buy, but if I buy this one I hope I enjoy it too. :D And um... what's a topnut? :think: :D
:shy:

[Loki]

The topnut is basically the part of the guitar at the top of the neck which guides the strings. On most production guitars, it's plastic. here's a pic for you:

http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/GIFS/topnuts_eps.gif

I've seen topnuts made from plastic, bone, and various metals. I'm interested in finding out what a stone one would be like! I've thought about making my own guitar for a while, so if i ever get round to it, I'll try and find myself a piece of granite!

[MsRuthieB]

Ovation (http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=27904&TempID=2&Method=2&CategoryID=0&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=1&DepartmentKeeper=1&pagesize=10&SortMethod=0&Word1=ovation&Contains=%22%2Aovation%2A%22&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=nonetodaythanks) makes wonderful acoustic/electric guitars that are reasonably priced for the quality. Outstanding craftsmenship and sound quality. Take a look at your local shop and compare.

FYI..on that site I linked to, you can read actual user reviews of products to help you decide. Also check out EOpinions.com. May as well if,you are going to spend a couple hundred, make sure that you are getting the best deal for your money.

[MsRuthieB]

Oh, and over time as they age, I believe Martin guitars sound best. I have one that is 36 years old that is so rich you need a blood transfusion after playing it. :lol:

I also have 2 Fenders which I enjoy, but I don't believe they sound as full as the Martin.

[Bankruptor]

I've got a good friend that has a D-35 Martin that he's not playing, and he's thinking about selling it to me. It's got a 3 piece back with some herringbone inlay, an early 70s era guitar. It's set up for bluegrass and has an action about a half inch off the neck, which I would HAVE to rectify, being as spoiled to electrics and low actions as I am. At present he's not hungry enough to come below $1200 and I'm at $800, but I think the gap will be closed probably this spring when he's wanting some work done and accessories for his Harley. :D

Another good friend of mine bought a really nice Taylor with built in electronics and it plays and sounds INCREDIBLY well, much better than the Martin. It's a high end one though and I think he's got about $2500 in it . . . :eek:

[MsRuthieB]

I have a D-21.

[Bankruptor]

Those D21s and the D-28s are the ones everyone seems to want, arent they? I don't know why the D-35s book so much lower than the D28s, they are a higher grade guitar. I think everyone just knows the D28 designation. :rolleyes:

I'm suffering with no picture of you today baby, why no avatar? :)

[MsRuthieB]

I'm being a rebel and going avatarless...I think it creates some mystery behind me don't you? That way the newbies simply have to imagine what I look like.

The D-21 my father purchased the year I was born. He gave it to me a few years ago when he lost interest in playing due to his health. I've played it a few times but really would rather not. I like it as Dad's guitar...and he would never let me play it when I was a kid, even though I did sneak a few times when he wasn't home. So it doesn't really feel right playing it now. I think if I continued to play it it would eventually turn into the guitar I most play that used to be played by Dad rather than Dad's guitar..if that makes any sense.

[SunshineDreamer]

I've thought about making my own guitar for a while, so if i ever get round to it, I'll try and find myself a piece of granite!
:rockon: cool! Good luck! ; ) :D

[Bankruptor]

I traded a gold top Les Paul last month to another player friend of mine for a cherry sunburst Les Paul Standard with Classic 57 plus pickups and Schaller machines. As soon as my boy saw that guitar he started in on me, "Oh Dad, that's JUST what I want" and "Let me buy that from you, I'll get the money somehow", yada yada. His birthday was last Friday (he turned 13) and after some reflection I stuck a bow on the case and left it outside his bedroom door for when he woke up Friday. He's all pumped and has all but abandoned his Strat these days. The down side is that now I don't have an electric at the moment. I think that needs to change. :D

What about THIS one? ES-355 stereo. Ouulala . . . :smitten:

http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/prodpics/used/67_es-355dsv.jpg

[SunshineDreamer]

Ovation (http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=27904&TempID=2&Method=2&CategoryID=0&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=1&DepartmentKeeper=1&pagesize=10&SortMethod=0&Word1=ovation&Contains=%22%2Aovation%2A%22&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=nonetodaythanks) makes wonderful acoustic/electric guitars that are reasonably priced for the quality. Outstanding craftsmenship and sound quality. Take a look at your local shop and compare.

FYI..on that site I linked to, you can read actual user reviews of products to help you decide. Also check out EOpinions.com. May as well if,you are going to spend a couple hundred, make sure that you are getting the best deal for your money.
Thank you! I will check those out. :yes:

[MsRuthieB]

I like that one Bank. Character!

My Fender... I'm not sure of the year but I know it's probably at least 20 years old. What's unique about it is that the tuning keys are all on the one side of the head; not split evenly on both side like 99.9% of acoustics. I've been trying to find out more about it but keep hitting a dead end. It's got a transparent red sunburst finish on it too. Anyone that can help me i.d. the year I would very much appreciate it.