Quartersawing — Lutherie Encyclopedia

QuartersawingType: techniqueA sawing method that cuts lumber radially from the log, producing straight grain lines ideal for tonewoods and structural stability.## Overview Quartersawing is a lumber milling technique in which the log is sawn so that the annual growth rings run approximately perpendicular to the face of the board. In lutherie, quartersawn wood is prized for its straight, parallel grain lines, dimensional stability, and superior acoustic properties. Nearly all quality soundboards for guitars, violins, and other stringed instruments are quartersawn. ## Process A log is first cut into quarters along its length. Each quarter is then sawn so that the blade passes roughly through the radius of the original log, producing boards where the growth rings meet the face at an angle between 60 and 90 degrees. True quartersawing produces more waste than flat-sawing, which is one reason quartersawn tonewoods command higher prices. For instrument-grade lumber, the luthier or supplier selects billets where the grain runs as straight and vertical as possible. The wood is then split or resawn into bookmatched halves for tops and backs. A well-quartersawn spruce top will display tight, even grain lines running parallel from the bass to the treble side. When evaluating quartersawn wood, the end grain is the key indicator. The growth rings should appear as nearly vertical lines. Boards with rings angled less than 60 degrees from the face are considered rift-sawn, and those below 45 degrees are flat-sawn—both less desirable for soundboards due to increased susceptibility to warping and inferior sound transmission. ## Tips & Common Mistakes…