Anatomy of a Black Tiger
Section 1: Walnut Logs
Walnut Logs from an Amish Farm in Gettysburg, PA.
Figured Walnut is on the horizon! Two separate limbs form the crotch at the top of the butt log. This odd shaped log will be sawn horizontally to leave the crotch intact throughout the flitch.
Section 2: “Hunting” the Black Tiger
Recent shipments of Black Walnut Lumber includes Crotch Flitches, 8/4 Solid Body Lumber and 4/4 Lumber for Top, Back & Core Sets. Ken will process this walnut, piece by piece to insure the best yield & highest figure possible for the “Black Tiger” Basses.
These crotch logs are Flitch cut. Several consecutive pieces will be sliced from the same log. Here is the previous piece cut. The yield varies from piece to piece within the flitch. This piece had slightly less defects and will yield 2 pieces. One, a Feather Crotch and the other, a flamed piece.
Section 3: Walnut Inventory
Kiln Dried – Inventory
(We have 2-3 years worth of Kiln Dried Walnut Lumber received between 1995 & 1998.)
Air Dried – Inventory
We have years and years of Black Walnut Air Drying in our wood room.
(Even though 1-2 years is adequate for Air Drying, our Walnut will dry for at least 4-5 years till we actually need it.)
Air drying stock of Black Walnut Top & Back pieces. Some of this is Black Tiger inventory.