guitar quilting

guitar quilting

West Australian Timbers – a Core Element of Ellis Guitars

Australian timbers are at the heart of the Ellis Acoustic Stomp Box. Hand crafted in Perth, Western Australia, Andrew Ellis selects his native timbers from that which has been salvaged and reclaimed by local woodworkers, mainly from areas due to be destroyed for new housing, or partly damaged by bushfire.

West Australian Jarrah is native to Western Australia, and comes in many colours and figures. Slow growing Jarrah trees produce denser timber than their fast growing counterparts. The timbers range in colour from dark brown, dark red, orange and light pink. The figure can be mottled, quilted, curly and striped. Dense Jarrah is used

for the sides and base of the Ellis Stomp Box.

Western Australian Sheoak occurs in the south-western corner of Western Australia in the coastal and hinterland region from Perth in the north to near Albany on the south coast. There is a small isolated population between Moora and Jurien Bay, Western Australia. West Australian Sheoak heartwood can be dark-red to brown and the sapwood is pale yellow. The primary figure in Sheoak is it’s medullary rays and intense pockets of darker brown scattered throughout the timber.

West Australian Tuart is a hard tree that grows on coastal limestone and can tolerate salt. In the 1830’s the timber was valued by millrights, shipwrights and wheelrights as it is almost impossible to split or splinter. Tuart can be extremely curly and is a naturally grey brown timber, which when oiled can become golden brown.

The tuart forest within Australia’s South West is protected by the Tuart Forest National Park and is the largest area of pure tuart remaining in the world. Ellis Guitars only aceepts Tuart when it can be guaranteed to be salvaged, not harvested.

West Australian Marri Red Gum is widespread in southern Western Australia. It can grow up to 50 metres tall. It is not considered at risk environmentally. The timber can be “plain” where half is golden brown and half dark brown, and “curly” where it is basically creamy but has intense curl making some pieces look 3D. It is commonly used in furniture manufacture, particularly dining tables and hall tables where the length allows the figure to be striking.

Cape Lilac, also known as White Cedar, China Berry and Persian Lilac, is native to India, China and northern Australia but has been introduced and adapted to many countries around the world. It is part of the Mahogany family. The Cape Lilac used at Ellis Guitars is from Western Australia and is a new Stomp Box timber. It has a gritty appearance and oils to a beautiful golden colour.

About the Author

Andrew Ellis is the Head Luthier at Ellis Guitars, Perth, Western Australia. Ellis Guitars make fine handcrafted acoustic guitars and the Ellis Acoustic Stompbox.

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