On Oct 3, 10:32�am, Jack Campin - bogus address
wrote:
Does anybody here know how long it takes to season elder for making
flutes? �Or if it needs to be seasoned at all?

There is an old tradition around Europe of making folk flutes from
green elder in the spring - just hollow the pith out with a sharp
stick and carve it with a pocket knife. �These weren't intended to
last very long, sometimes only a matter of weeks. �But I've got a
couple of elder flutes (a Transylvanian whistle and a Moldavian kaval)
which have obviously been made with a lifespan of decades in mind -
the Transylvanian whistle was made 18 years ago and still sounds fine.
Anyone know how the wood might have been handled before it was made
into a flute?

==== j a c k �at �c a m p i n . m e . u k �=== �http://www.campin.me.uk ====
Jack Campin, 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland == mob 07800 739 557
CD-ROMs and free stuff: �Scottish music, food intolerance, and Mac logic fonts

I am reading this believing you are referring to a species of g.
Sambucus, such as we get elderberries from, not Box Elder (Acer
negundo) or any of the Alders.

First, I really don't know, I am guessing.

Second, the "general rule of thumb" for drying logs has been to figure
one year for each inch in diameter.

Third, I would think hollowing out the pith would help a lot in the
drying process. I am visualizing a flute made from a straight piece
of limb, with the pith in the center surrounded in turn by the xylem,
cambrium, and phloem and such. Removing the pith would relieve much
of the tension that ensues from the drying process. I would probably
also at least debark the limb and seal the ends with wax to even
things out.

What sized piece of wood are you starting with?

This is my best guess at things, and I suspect you could have a flute
sized piece suitably dried after about a year. I wish I had a
reference at hand that described the structural anatomy of the wood
for g. Sambucus, but I can't find one at hand. You have gotten me
curious about the size and nature of the pith, et al, that might lend
this shrubby tree to making folk flutes.

Besides air drying, I have heard of hobbiests who have "cured" wood by
oven drying or by boiling. I keep meaning to experiement with a few
of these techniques, but other things battle for my time.

I will be interested to learn how you make out with this.

Best wishes,

Dr. Jim Lowther