I just ordered a Contender SE from Allen Boice and am looking for some wood suggestions. Probably going with Myrtle limb veneers, I like darkish woods with good configuration. Thinking of Zircote for rise, but not sure how that will go with the Myrtle. Also, I am thinking of Yew limb cores rather than Bamboo, don't care for the very light Bamboo in profile.
I still have some time to finalize choices, so would appreciate your suggestions.
Hmmmm. Hard to beat the Cocobola that Allen puts in a lot of his risers, though Zircote and myrtle would produce a nice subdued look. IMO, can't beat bamboo for laminations. Only the edges show. Luckily, it's your bow and you get to pick. Congrats on selecting a nice piece.
Ziricote, Gonçalo Alves, figured dark zebrawood, Bastogne/ or another dark figured walnut (might look really ace with myrtle), Wenge.
If you want some inspiration google the Wood Database.
Rosewood riser and myrtle veneers.
I have one with a blackish Myrtle riser and beautiful Myrtle veneers. It is amazing. I don't believe he does Cocobolo any more. I would consider Bocote riser and veneers. You will love the bow.
He doesn't make Cocobola any more, I have an all bacote. Looking for something with a different look.
I have an English with all yew limbs and a coco riser and i really like the looks of it, but if I were ordering a new one I'd go with his myrtle veneers and a ziricote riser.
Could he stain the edges of the bamboo?
homebru
I have quite a few of Allen's bows.
My favorites were macassor ebony and gaboon ebony risers with highly figured myrtle veneers
I had him use some white glass with the last one he built to use with some of the overlay work that popped out nicely.The other materials used in the overlays with the white glass were gaboon ebony, figured myrtle and some black glass.That one had bamboo cores.
Homebru, good thought I will check with Allen.
Steelhead, that sounds like a beauty.
Myrtlewood, yew & zircote go really will together, especially the way Allen puts them together.
(http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g447/elkhntr/IMG_0292_zps1663c2ee.jpg)
A Liberty Chief 51lbs 66"
Yes^^^^ ziricote looks good with figured myrtle
Here are two I used to own...
Bocote Riser/Yew Cores/Tiger Myrtle Veneers (The bow in my avatar)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle1_zps8c7e3b81.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle1_zps8c7e3b81.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle4_zps57f2be22.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle4_zps57f2be22.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle5_zps84f5fa68.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle5_zps84f5fa68.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle6_zps77669637.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderCoueysbocotemyrtle6_zps77669637.jpg.html)
Ebony Riser/Yew&Boo Cores/Black Glass (I think Allen told me this was the first all black glass bow he made)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/6b78811d-c626-4eab-8a33-67002dcbe5a9_zps7b80721d.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/6b78811d-c626-4eab-8a33-67002dcbe5a9_zps7b80721d.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderSubotai9_zps27fa8a47.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderSubotai9_zps27fa8a47.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderSubotai4_zpsb3f5b6ed.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderSubotai4_zpsb3f5b6ed.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyContenderSubotai5_zpsac68c536.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyContenderSubotai5_zpsac68c536.jpg.html)
Both of these are with new owners, but Allen just glued up my new Contender and will be working on it this week. It will be a combo of the two above... Bocote Riser/Yew Cores/Tiger Myrtle Veneers on the back under clear glass/Black Glass on belly.
Give him a call and he'll take care of you!!!
Stump
PS - If you like the combo Allen's building me now, give him a call. He "just" missed my target weight and will have the same wood/glass combo available in a 64" length soon. The Tiger Myrtle veneers on that one are sweet (here are the veneers he let me pick out for the bow he came up light on)...
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/LibertyTigerMyrtleoption1_zps94ea2f31.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/LibertyTigerMyrtleoption1_zps94ea2f31.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/StumpBuster/libertytigermyrtlelamsoption1b_zpsf21a2435.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/StumpBuster/media/libertytigermyrtlelamsoption1b_zpsf21a2435.jpg.html)
You frequently hear about good communication from the popular bowyers and I'm here to tell ya, Allen is at the TOP when it comes to e-mails and build options!!!
Nice pics guys, thanks.
I am surprised how nice that all black bow looks, Stump.
Shadow, beautiful.
Just got a English. The way it shoots and feels in your hand. I would not care if it were painted flat black. But it sure looks good with ziricote.
Keep me coming
Congratulations! I love my Contender; Allen's bows have it all. I really believe that the best looking myrtle veneers you'll ever see will be on a Liberty Bow. Here are a few more photos to help you out, or further complicate things...
Bocote riser...
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/photo-8.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/photo-8.jpg.html)
Myrtle riser and veneers...
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/photo-37.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/photo-37.jpg.html)
Keep us updated!
Chase, is that "black" or "dirty" Myrtle?
Toby,
I've always referred to that as black myrtle myself. When I ordered the bow I didn't request it specifically, I left that up to Allen to couple riser and veneers together that complimented one another. Having said that, on my last bow I did ask for veneers with a lot of black. Allen emailed several photos of what he had, and of course, everything looked great. However, once he got into the build he felt he had something better suited for the riser than the veneers I had chosen. Here are a few photos of that bow. It's a ziricote riser (inspired by shdwhwk's Chief) with black myrtle veneers. I always love the color of a yew core. You can rest assured that any creative freedom Allen has will yield something beautiful. I'm sure whatever he makes you will be Louvre worthy functioning art.
Best Regards, Chase
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/photo1-9.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/photo1-9.jpg.html)
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/photo2-9.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/photo2-9.jpg.html)
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/photo3-7.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/photo3-7.jpg.html)
Chase, thanks for the pics. That is exactly what I am looking for. I tentatively ordered that exact combination. I much prefer that type of Myrtle configuration over the tiger stripe. I am waiting to finalize after seeing some, this really helps. Beautiful bow.
Toby
Should have NEW BOW pics next week!!! Allen shipped my Contender today!!!
Whoo Hoo!!!
Toby, get your checkbook ready... it wont be long before yours is up on deck!!!
PS - I take back all the nice things I said about him though... his e-mail didn't contain any pics to hold me over until the 2nd. :D
it pritty much up to you..BUT,allens bows are amazing and i have 2 of them..the guy is a very humble person and a wonderful oregon bowyer..john
Chase, that myrtle is stunning!
stump, looking forward to your pics.
what are the specs?
Toby
Chase, that Black Myrtle/Ziricote combo does look Fantastic!
Toby, I asked for 66" #50@28" with Yew Cores, Bocote riser and Allen's early original locator grip shape wrapped in black leather (I "know" this grip and haven't had a chance to try his new locator shape, so I played it safe). Not sure what the final draw weight came in at and the back veneers are mystery myrtle veneers I haven't seen yet, but I'm confident they will look great as Allen has an eye for woods. The belly has black glass and I don't know if Allen used Bocote for the overlays or not, but I'm pretty sure he was going to.
Can't wait to see and shoot it myself! It's been too long since I've had a Contender in the battery.
I've never seen a bow of Allen's I haven't liked. They all look woodsy and rich with natural colors; nothing ever gaudy or weird looking. They look like expensive, well made furniture!
Good Choice Toby!
Kris
Stump
What is the difference between the original grip and the new one. I have an older, don't know how old, 66" all Bacote Contender, and love the grip. It is one of those I don't ever have to think about.
I am trying out one of his Classics, but the locator grip feels thinner than on my Contender.
I am also going to go with Yew limbs, Myrtle veneers and am thinking about Ebony for the riser, kind of torn between Zircote and Ebony.
I wish I could afford a dozen of them:)
Toby
Toby,
I think his newer locator has a deeper cut under the shelf on the belly side of the bow giving it bit more of a pronounced pistol grip look. If you look at the pics Allen has on his website now and Chase' Contender pictured above vs. the pictures I posted, you'll see the locator is just a bit more subtle on the older longbows. Allen really likes the feel of the new grip shape and wanted me to try it, but I didn't want to change anything from the ones I've previously owned/shot. I promised him I'd shoot one of his new grips next month at Rancho Neblina if he can make it down. It does look comfy.
Sounds like a good combo no matter what you choose... I don't think you can make a wrong choice with those woods!
Mike
Mike,
Thanks, I see what you mean.
Toby
Well, I just got off the phone with Allen and finalized my order.
Going with Gaboon Ebony riser, some of his great Myrtle for limb laminations, stained action boo limb cores. Allen will decide what overlays will look best.
Getting a 66" Contender, 42#@28". I'll use this bow for cold weather deer hunting, form work, and maybe shoot an indoor league this Winter.
I have a used 66" 46# Contender that I picked up a few months ago. I am going to have Allen make me a 50# Contender this Winter.
Can't wait till this bow shows up.
My Contender has ebony for the riser and unstained bamboo limbs.54#@28".
It is a nice shooting and "elegant" looking bow.
Paul, any pics?
I'll see if my "IT" advisor can take a couple when she gets home from middle school. :)
Here are the pics toby,
(http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss213/nissen_susan/liberty.jpg) (http://s577.photobucket.com/user/nissen_susan/media/liberty.jpg.html)
(http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss213/nissen_susan/belly.jpg) (http://s577.photobucket.com/user/nissen_susan/media/belly.jpg.html)
(http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss213/nissen_susan/riser.jpg) (http://s577.photobucket.com/user/nissen_susan/media/riser.jpg.html)
Paul, thanks for posting the pics, that is a beautiful bow, love the contrast, "elegant" is right.
Toby
Cocobolo and osage are still my favorites!