Tone Wood Supplier?

[George]

I’m quite a ways off from scratch building guitars. I’ll probably do a few more KMG kits while I accumulate the needed tools to build my own guitar. I’m wondering if those of you who scratch build use materials that have already been book matched or do you re-saw from billets. Who are your favorite tone wood venders? I will probably buy precut material when I start to scratch build but hope to re-saw eventually.

George

[TonyinNYC]

Hey George,

When I began my move to scratch builds, Ken Cierp was kind enough to put together partial kits for me. He sent me everything but the top, back and sides as I was not carving my own necks. I am not sure if Ken still wishes to be in that business, but he sent me three partial kits about 2 years ago.
I buy my backs and sides from several sources, but I don't use LMI or Stew Mac.
Here is a list of a few places I have used for backs and sides:
Gallery Hardwoods (Pretty much out of business now as the owner has retired, but he was a great guy to work with)
eBay- lots of stuff from eBay
RC Tonewood and Sons
Aaron Hix tonewood
Darren Hippner (eBay seller, but he does build nice looking guitars as well)

I have also acquired a lot of wood from the classified sections of various forums.

I have only purchased sound boards from SpruceTonewood in BC.

The cost to resaw your own wood is pretty high. You need a large bandsaw properly set up for the task. A new saw big enough for the job will set you back at least $1000. If you are like me, and you plan to build 2-3 guitars a year, AND the person buying the guitar will be paying for the materials, there is little reason to buy a big bandsaw. I might get a small table top saw one day, but I don't see myself cutting my own back and side sets. Plus, I have made some good friendships through this hobby and I have had plenty of people offer to resaw wood for me should the need arise. I bought some koa billets on eBay last year, had them shipped to a friend in Ohio who sliced them up for me, then sent them to me. Total cost ended up at about $7.00 per slice of wood for mildly curly koa. You can see pics of a ukulele I built using that koa on page 7 of this thread:
http://www.acousticguitarconstructionfo ... 1&start=60

Yes. It was a good investment and cutting it up saved me big bucks, BUT, buying a saw for $1200 or more would have seriously cut into the profit margins!!
Trust does play a big role in a transaction like that, but luthiers seem to be a pretty trust worthy bunch, save for a few bad apples.

I only build 2-3 guitars a year, and they are commissions. In fact, all but two of my guitars have been commissions. As such, the wood was always paid for by someone else. If I were a working luthier, building for a living, I would certainly consider a band saw to be a tool I could not live without. But in my current role as a hobby builder who sells his guitars, I am content to let someone else cut up my wood. And, if you ever find a block of wood you absolutely NEED to have cut into backs and sides, here is a link to a company that has worked with luthiers in the past and so they know what they are doing when they resaw your blocks:
http://www.borsonresaw.com/pages/maximum.html

Good luck to you whatever you decide!!

[Tim Benware]

I'm resawing with a 14" Grizzly and a "Woodslicer" blade my setup with the riser block was between $600 and $700 (I got the saw on sale), still a hefty investment but well worth it in my mind.

[George]

Thanks Tony and Tim. I have a 14” band saw with a 6” riser block so I can resaw but I really don’t know anything about buying tonewood billets or where to shop. Hope to learn as I go. I appreciate the info!!

George

[Kevin in California]

George,
I have a 14" resaw bandsaw that I have not yet used to resaw back and sides. I have a huge billet of ribbon sapele sitting there waiting. I got it at a local wood store that sells lots of domestic and exotic lumber. Check around your area and see if there is store like that. Search online for walnut billets and a few will come up in the northern california and Oregon/Washington areas.
I got my saw because I wanted something big enough to resaw and cut out neck blanks from billets. The little table top bandsaw I had been using wasn't up to the task.

Kevin

[TonyinNYC]

Thanks Tony and Tim. I have a 14” band saw with a 6” riser block so I can resaw but I really don’t know anything about buying tonewood billets or where to shop. Hope to learn as I go. I appreciate the info!!

George

Gilmer wood has billets, but they can be expensive at times. There are more suppliers of hardwoods for general purpose woodworking than there are suppliers of hardwoods for luthiers. The problem is, a google search usually turns up a boat load of hardwood flooring suppliers. There are great deals to be had on eBay if you are patient. I bought a set of Brazilian rosewood last December for a song. Of course, most people were buying gifts for their family members so they were not watching eBay for sweet deals on BRW!

[George]

I had no idea there was so much wood for sale on eBay. It will be fun looking for the great deals to come along. I do some bidding on eBay but more often than not I get outbid on items but every now and then I get a very good deal. Thanks for opening my eyes. I’ll try not to get into a bidding war with you. "lol" In fact, I’ll check with you before I bid if I see a bid has already been placed on a set to make sure it’s not you Tony.

Thanks again guys!!!! This forum is great!!!!

George