Musings on Purple Heart

[Hagwood]

I’ve been contemplating changing out the neck on Purple Haze for my new Trademark PAF Gunslinger headstock and Supernova inlays, and thought that Purple Heart would look really cool on it. So as I always do when thinking of a new wood, I went to Rockler today and picked up a Purple Heart board to experiment on.

I prefer raw wood necks, so wanted to see how the feel was after burnishing with no finish. I used Assilex and Buflex up to 3000 grit, and I gotta say I’m super impressed. Silky smooth and a very nice sheen that you would swear had a finish on it. I’m going to do a resaw on it since it’s 3/4” thick and have more to experiment on.

Thought I would share in case anyone was considering Purple Heart and on the fence. I’m definitely doing it, it is incredible.

As is from Rockler:


After burnishing to 3000:

 

[Hodgo]

Beautiful chunk of lumber. I always wanted a purpleheart fretboard on a cream or vintage white color guitar, I think it would pair beautifully and showcase the wood.

 

[Hagwood]

Beautiful chunk of lumber. I always wanted a purpleheart fretboard on a cream or vintage white color guitar, I think it would pair beautifully and showcase the wood.

That would be cool. I was originally thinking only the fretboard, but after seeing how nice it burnishes I’m leaning toward shaft as well. With black pearloid supernova inlays I think it would look killer on Purple Haze.

 

[Tretgeraet]

I would think black pearloid is a little too dark for purple heart. Also keep in mind, that it'll turn brown over time, which can be a long time, or a shorter time if it sees a lot of direkt sunlight. So I would go with something brighter.

But as you've seen it's quite easy to polish with an impressive hardness and it sounds and feels nice. And that color is hypnotizing!

 

[teleme01]

Visibility of dots i find, in my own experience, I don't need them and it can be kinda mean so to say to not allow others to see what you are playing, but I have had to change guitars while trying to show someone the chords i was playing.... so, I vasilate between no inlays, inlays for others to see, and what I like. Then I choose what I want and justify it to myself.

 

[Don O]

That would be cool. I was originally thinking only the fretboard, but after seeing how nice it burnishes I’m leaning toward shaft as well. With black pearloid supernova inlays I think it would look killer on Purple Haze.

If you’re gonna drink the PH kool-aid, you might want to go all in. There’s a guy on Reverb that makes and sells PH pup rings, TRC, and even switch tips !

 

[Hagwood]

Designed this in the builder. I need to do some photoshop to add my headstock and attach it to Purple Haze, but think it would be pretty cool. Would probably also do a quilt veneer and dye to match the body like I did on the Meadowhawk.

 

[Hagwood]

If you’re gonna drink the PH kool-aid, you might want to go all in. There’s a guy on Reverb that makes and sells PH pup rings, TRC, and even switch tips !

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Thanks, I was already checking some of that out from your other post, very cool stuff !

 

[Spud]

Thanks, I was already checking some of that out from your other post, very cool stuff !

Hagwood is in love....................

 

[teleme01]

Of course you do you, I am a fan of the mooncaster headstock as is, and purpleheart makes it even more lustful, i would have one if they did Gibson scale. On my wish list

 

[Hagwood]

Hagwood is in love....................

Yes, I am in love with Exotic Woods….
Don’t be jealous.

 

[Hagwood]

Of course you do you, I am a fan of the mooncaster headstock as is, and purpleheart makes it even more lustful, i would have one if they did Gibson scale. On my wish list

Sorry, definitely not my style. But it has enough extra wood to design your own. Easier than using a paddle headstock if it fits. After I designed one for my Rosewood build I decided that would be my ‘trademark’ neck with Supernova inlays. Other than the medowhawk of course…..

 

[Spud]

Yes, I am in love with Exotic Woods….
Don’t be jealous.

Is it JUST the woods though?...............................

 

[rockandroller]

I think yer definitely on the right track! My most recent Warmoth purple heart experience was extremely favorable, the unfinished neck felt like it had been burnished right out of the box! ( Just like my recent roasted maple 7/8 strat)

Pics here https://rockandroller.ca/pix/index.php?/category/19

 

[Spud]

Yes, I am in love with Exotic Woods….
Don’t be jealous.

 

[Hagwood]

I think yer definitely on the right track! My most recent Warmoth purple heart experience was extremely favorable, the unfinished neck felt like it had been burnished right out of the box! ( Just like my recent roasted maple 7/8 strat)

Pics here https://rockandroller.ca/pix/index.php?/category/19

Love that ! What kind of finish is on the body ?

 

[rockandroller]

Love that ! What kind of finish is on the body ?

It was a very thin lacquer, was advertised as nitro, and definitely felt like nitro . That body came from china prefinished (ebay purchase, 2019-ish)