Bending Torrified or Baked sides

[Andrew McSpadden]

I was thinking of having some of my B&S Torrified/Baked. Does if the treatment affects the bending ability or characteristics of the sides?

[Alan Carruth]

All of the torrified/baked wood I've handled has been brittle; prone to splitting. One student built a guitar of 'baked' maple. The sides bent OK, but then split as he was planing the profile in, and he was going with the grain at the time! Fortunately they went together well. A piece also broke off the 'wing' of his back after taking a light blow. Again,it went together well, but... These, and some other experiences have pretty well turned me off for using 'terrified' wood.

[Steven Smith]

My experience with torrified spruce and maple is similar to Alans - it gets brittle and is prone to splitting.