Paulownia - anyone sell it??

[Andyjr1515]

It's a strange thing.  Paulownia is becoming a timber of choice for an increasing number of the major builders for their lightweight ranges, it is easy to get cheapo bass and guitar bodies made from it, likewise chefs chopping boards, it is sustainable and, so I understand, it actually improves the soil quality that it's grown on.  So you would have thought it would be possible to get hold of some.

 

But no-one seems to sell it, except sent from Australia or China - and I'm pretty certain it isn't an Australian or Chinese timber.  There is a Portuguese (or was it Italian) site that purports to only sell that particular timber but they aren't replying even to their own online enquiry form on their website.

 

Anyone know of anywhere I can get some in UK or Europe?   

 

[Chienmortbb]

Andy, is there another name for it? For example Basswood is often known as Linden.

[Andyjr1515]

14 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

Andy, is there another name for it? For example Basswood is often known as Linden.

Hmm...I don't think so, but maybe.  Good thought anyway      I'll check on the Wood Database  

[3below]

Sometimes called princess tree, empress tree, or foxglove-tree.  Apparently native to central and western China and an invasive species in the USA.  Also found in Europe including UK.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia_tomentosa#Europe.  I knew it was called empress - used in some G&ls under that name. 

 

Possible sources:  

 

https://www.ipaulownia.com/en/  (appear to have body blanks (out of stock) and 2 part body timbers)

https://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/supplies/wood/paulownia/  (they appear to do large boards - see bottom of page)

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by 3below

[Andyjr1515]

18 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

Andy, is there another name for it? For example Basswood is often known as Linden.

Well, I was wrong on one assumption - it is basically an E Asia and N America species.   And yes, it is also known in some regions as Kiri - but no timber suppliers seem to use that name other than a few in Australia where they are starting to use it for boats.  It maybe it is an 'emerging' product as it is very light and, by all accounts, is a very effective CO2 absorber.  Maybe all the folks round the world in the know are buying it up and no one here has caught on yet.

 

[Andyjr1515]

3 minutes ago, 3below said:

Sometimes called princess tree, empress tree, or foxglove-tree.  Apparently native to central and western China and an invasive species in the USA.  Also found in Europe including UK.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia_tomentosa#Europe.  I knew it was called empress - used in some G&ls under that name. 

 

Possible sources:  

 

https://www.ipaulownia.com/en/

https://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/supplies/wood/paulownia/  (they appear to do large boards - see bottom of page)

 

 

 

The ipaulownia web site is the one that is not replying to any of my enquiries...

 

...BUT the Fyne Boat Kits looks just the kiddy!!

 

Great - many thanks @3below - I'll contact them 

 

[Bunion]

Found this old forum, maybe still a lead there 

 

https://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6342

[Andyjr1515]

8 minutes ago, Bunion said:

Found this old forum, maybe still a lead there 

 

https://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6342

That's great - thanks!  I've just emailed the Fyne Boat Kit folks that @3below suggested above to see if they can cut to the size I'm after (they generally use narrower pieces) but if there is no joy there, I'll see if that chap still has some

 

It's going to be a spray-painted body (it's the one for @Happy Jack ) and so I could use multiple narrower strips at a push.

 

Thanks, folks!

 

Andy

 

[Si600]

I seem to remember you using it before? Isn't it a total **** to finish because the pores are gigantic or something equally difficult?

[Guest]

It depends on the piece.  I've done one paulownia body and it wasn't too bad for the pores.  It was a very attrective poece of wood once finished.

[Andyjr1515]

31 minutes ago, Si600 said:

I seem to remember you using it before? Isn't it a total **** to finish because the pores are gigantic or something equally difficult?

 

Not overly difficult, depending on the piece as @Bassfinger says.  The bass body I did the veneering demo with at the last Bassbash that you ran before moving to Germany if I remember rightly, @Si600, that is Paulownia and pores-wise isn't much different to Alder.

 

It is very soft, though and you have to be careful clamping, etc..  I have some thoughts in terms of making it more resistant to dinks in use which I will experiment with.

[GBH]

Give Mike at Zootbass a call, he has a reasonable stock of it.

[Andyjr1515]

3 hours ago, GBH said:

Give Mike at Zootbass a call, he has a reasonable stock of it.

Great - thanks.  I'll see if Fyne's can sort me out and, if not, I'll drop Mike a line.  Thanks again for the lead

 

[kodiakblair]

2 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

I'll see if Fyne's can sort me out

I was in touch with Phil couple of year back.

 

Widest board they buy in is 150mm and they get some boards 50mm thick.

Never got an idea of price as they were waiting to see what impact the "B" word would have.

[Andyjr1515]

Fyne's can get some to me 

 

Thanks again to @3below for the lead and also to your great suggestions of alternatives 

 

So, like Cinderella being able to go to the ball, @Happy Jack shall have paulownia in his build 

[Happy Jack]

Hit me with that balsa, baby ...

[Owen]

My new G&L 5 string is made of Empress (Paulownia) and comes in at a very pleasing 8.8lbs. 

[Happy Jack]

1 hour ago, Owen said:

My new G&L 5 string is made of Empress (Paulownia) and comes in at a very pleasing 8.8lbs. 

 

We're aiming WAY lighter than that. 😎

[kodiakblair]

8 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

 

We're aiming WAY lighter than that. 😎

 I'm sure you'll manage.  Knocked the P-bass up from Paulownia a couple of years back, baw hair over 6lbs 👍

 

[Geek99]

On 24/06/2022 at 20:41, Si600 said:

I seem to remember you using it before? Isn't it a total **** to finish because the pores are gigantic or something equally difficult?

I used it, it was a total PoS for exactly the reasons you state 

it swallowed grain filler like porn stars swallow … ohh.. umm… cream cakes 

[tegs07]

7 hours ago, Geek99 said:

I used it, it was a total PoS for exactly the reasons you state 

it swallowed grain filler like porn stars swallow … ohh.. umm… cream cakes 

Yep. I had a Stingray body made for me a while back and wanted it to be light. Basswood was out as I wanted a grain. I found a youtube video of someone trying to use the slurry method on Paulownia and he was having a total ‘mare. It is a very porous wood. I went for Ash in the end.

[Andyjr1515]

On its way

 

Thanks again for the input, folks

[Guest]

I wonder if the extra effort needed for the finishing explains why G&L charge about $100 more for Empress.

 

The G&L SB-1 that got stolen by Parcelfarce before it could reach me was 7.0 lbs. 

[mybass]

Luthiers Supplies in Sussex ….www.luthierssupplies.co.uk 

[Andyjr1515]

59 minutes ago, mybass said:

Luthiers Supplies in Sussex ….www.luthierssupplies.co.uk 

That was my first port of call but confess I only looked at bass body blanks in their catalogue rather than ring them up.  Nothing in the bass section but just just seen that they do have it in guitar sizes...and generally DD will cut special sizes!   Oh well, never mind....