Purchasing guitar wood while in India

[Kevin in California]

This is something most of us never get a chance to do. I had looked into buying wood the last time I was here 5 years ago and didn't make it happen. Most of the suppliers here want to sell you pallet loads at a time; 500 guitar sets, fretboard and such. I found a company in Mumbai who would sell me a little bit so I have a small order coming expedited shipping from there to me in Goa. Even expedited here will if lucky take 5 days. Overall even with pretty high shipping cost (by indian standards) I am saving about half the cost if purchased at home.
I'm getting 2 B & S sets of EIR, supposed to be what we would call AAA grade, 5 Indian ebony fretboard blanks, 6 EIR fretboards, 6 each of ebony and EIR bridge blanks that are 14 inch long so can be cut to make 2 blanks.
The ebony fretboards are under $10. I just paid almost $23 at LMI. The EIR boards, $3.85 ea. The B & S sets $40 ea. EIR bridge blanks come out under a dollar each and the ebony bridge blanks under $2 ea.
I believe the quality will be good. I'll report on that next week when the package should arrive.
Just thought I'd share with you.
Having a good time here just 2 weeks time left.

Kevin

[Daniel P]

Kevin, very exciting - I'm sure we'll all be interested to see what the woods look like.

Have a great time.

[Kevin in California]

Well my wood has still not arrived. Expedited shipping by currier but it took a week before it was shipped. Look like it will arrive tomorrow. We will be leaving in 5 days. Crossing my fingers it really does come.

[Herman]

Sounds like adventures in India. Different pace from Us and Northern Europe. You better surrender.
Anyway. I hope you get the stuff.
Herman

[Kevin in California]

The wood arrived today.
It looks good. The B & S sets would be grade AA from say LMI. Most of the ebony is very black
A few pieces have a little faint brown streaking. The EIR is a mix of some fine grain and some wider grain but all will make nice fretboards and bridges. All the wood is rough cut but well oversized for bringing down to size. I'm pretty happy. Now to squeeze it into the suitcase. next time I'll look for a better price on the back and side sets I think they are available for less if my son in law does the negotiations; indian to indian.

Kevin

[Herman]

Good for you Kevin,
Can you get by customs with the ebony?
Herman

[Kevin in California]

We shall herman. I will just call it all wooden guitar parts. It is Indian ebony that is freely imported into the USA so I am not expecting it to be a problem. Total amount paid is only $185 for the wood but I don't want to leave it behind.