Ordered a Liberty Contender, wood suggestions please

toby · August 23, 2014, 08:55:00 AM

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.

Orion · August 23, 2014, 09:33:00 AM

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.

nineworlds9 · August 23, 2014, 09:39:00 AM

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.

cedar · August 23, 2014, 09:53:00 AM

Rosewood riser and myrtle veneers.

Paul Shirek · August 23, 2014, 10:06:00 AM

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.

toby · August 23, 2014, 10:18:00 AM

He doesn't make Cocobola any more, I have an all bacote. Looking for something with a different look.

NBK · August 23, 2014, 10:39:00 AM

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.

Homebru · August 23, 2014, 10:54:00 AM

Could he stain the edges of the bamboo?
homebru

Steelhead · August 23, 2014, 11:06:00 AM

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.

toby · August 23, 2014, 12:11:00 PM

Homebru, good thought I will check with Allen.

Steelhead, that sounds like a beauty.

shdwhwk · August 23, 2014, 03:29:00 PM

Myrtlewood, yew & zircote go really will together, especially the way Allen puts them together.

A Liberty Chief 51lbs 66"

TxAg · August 23, 2014, 03:38:00 PM

Yes^^^^ ziricote looks good with figured myrtle

Stump Buster · August 23, 2014, 05:00:00 PM

Here are two I used to own...

Bocote Riser/Yew Cores/Tiger Myrtle Veneers (The bow in my avatar)

Ebony Riser/Yew&Boo Cores/Black Glass (I think Allen told me this was the first all black glass bow he made)

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

Stump Buster · August 23, 2014, 05:22:00 PM

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)...

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!!!

toby · August 23, 2014, 05:32:00 PM

Nice pics guys, thanks.

I am surprised how nice that all black bow looks, Stump.

Shadow, beautiful.

ed cowden · August 23, 2014, 05:54:00 PM

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.

toby · August 27, 2014, 07:53:00 AM

Keep me coming

chase perry · August 27, 2014, 10:36:00 AM

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...

Myrtle riser and veneers...

Keep us updated!

toby · August 27, 2014, 11:24:00 AM

Chase, is that "black" or "dirty" Myrtle?

chase perry · August 27, 2014, 05:10:00 PM

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