Building Audio Workstations.

[steelman48]

I've often seen that grain pattern on pine plywood, and IMHO it cheapens the look of the desk- but maybe that's just me.

I think what you actually have is a wood product called Fir. It is a soft wood that does splinter easily. Probably a better choice for the end caps wood be a hardwood or maple. They also tend to look richer in appearance but could cost more, depending on what part of the US you live.

 

[Bryan316]

Good looking woodwork doesn't always have to be oak, cherry, walnut or maple.

I love working with Douglas Fir. Smells great during the cutting/sanding phase. And yes, if you hit it the right way, you can get stains to make fir POP. Especially a grain and cut that looks that dramatic.

Some of the best looking woods are considered BAD wood. All soft woods like swamp ash, fir and alder... or burled or spalted mahogany... they're not structurally strong. But because they are visually appealing, they're used for detail pieces and finished surfaces.

I've put aside chunks of 2x4's from the lumber pile, simply cuz the grain looked great. Sand it down, stain and seal, POP!

 

[CapacityWKS.]

I think what you actually have is a wood product called Fir. It is a soft wood that does splinter easily. Probably a better choice for the end caps wood be a hardwood or maple. They also tend to look richer in appearance but could cost more, depending on what part of the US you live.

I actually live in British Columbia.
I am completely aware of what types of wood I have used for the trim on the workstations.
All of my clients have picked which woods they want.
As I have stated before, if my clients would prefer to have oak or maple; then that is what they will get.
If they prefer snakewood, even though it would raise the price of the desk, by quite a bit of money, I would build the trim out of snake wood.
Everyone of my workstations are approved by the client before we start the build.
I have not built two workstations exactly the same as of yet and I have done quite a few.

*Splintering*
The trim on our products are sanded, stained and sealed.
They should not splinter.
If they do, I would beg to question what you are doing with your workstation trim, that would make them splinter?!!?

 

[CapacityWKS.]

Good looking woodwork doesn't always have to be oak, cherry, walnut or maple.

I love working with Douglas Fir. Smells great during the cutting/sanding phase. And yes, if you hit it the right way, you can get stains to make fir POP. Especially a grain and cut that looks that dramatic.

Some of the best looking woods are considered BAD wood. All soft woods like swamp ash, fir and alder... or burled or spalted mahogany... they're not structurally strong. But because they are visually appealing, they're used for detail pieces and finished surfaces.

I've put aside chunks of 2x4's from the lumber pile, simply cuz the grain looked great. Sand it down, stain and seal, POP!

Bryan,

You've taken the words right out of my mouth.
I would only add this:

I have priced these workstations so that the average home studio can afford them.
To purchase a desk like these, you will be spending double or more.
I have taken every cost cutting avenue without sacrificing on workmanship or quality, just so the "studio on a budget" can have the capacity and a clean workstation to work at.
I have been told by my clients, that they have felt more inspired and seem to work better, with a clean workstation.

PS: I absolutely love all of these comments. I'm sorry if I don't get around to answering them right away.
PPS: I have started to design myself a new workstation, as I have sold mine to one of Canada's best mastering engineer's. I have been keeping my eye's peeled for some amazing wood grains. (I'll post when I finish the build.)