Wood

[richie]

i am new hear i was wondering what would be a good supplier for the wood for the guitar , like the ebony do i mail order it or do can i get it localy at a lumber yard , i live in the chicago area , i don't know wear to get the ebony wood ,also mahogany .

thanks

Edited March 24, 2008 by richie

[another doug]

I usually get my wood from Owl hardwood lumber in Lombard. They are not specifically geared toward guitar tonewoods, so you may have to search a bit for quartersawn lumber, and highly figured pieces are pretty rare, but they do carry a lot of interesting woods. They also offer cutting and planing services.

I have heard that at least one of the guys there has built guitars, so you may want to give them a call and see if someone can guide you toward good tonewoods.

I have bought mahogany, maple, bloodwood, purpleheart, zebra wood, cherry, and padauk from them, and they usually carry teak, wenge, bubinga, cocobolo, lacewood, poplar, ash, and many more. Sometimes they also have some nice veneers as well.

Good luck!

[fryovanni]

You would do well to just order Ebony for say fretboards. Buying and resawing is not usally the safest bet, nor will it save much money. For body wood, look locally. Very good woods such as Khaya(african Mahogany), Genuine Mahogany, and so forth can be had at most lumber supply places. Kiln dried is fine, and what is usually available. You will save a ton on shipping by picking it up locally (at least body wood). Neck wood is good to buy locally also, just buy a bit extra(maybe a couple projects worth) so it can age before your next project. Woods like Mahogany and Hard Maple are really not expensive per. necks worth of wood (well worth stocking up).

[richie]

I usually get my wood from Owl hardwood lumber in Lombard. They are not specifically geared toward guitar tonewoods, so you may have to search a bit for quartersawn lumber, and highly figured pieces are pretty rare, but they do carry a lot of interesting woods. They also offer cutting and planing services.

I have heard that at least one of the guys there has built guitars, so you may want to give them a call and see if someone can guide you toward good tonewoods.

I have bought mahogany, maple, bloodwood, purpleheart, zebra wood, cherry, and padauk from them, and they usually carry teak, wenge, bubinga, cocobolo, lacewood, poplar, ash, and many more. Sometimes they also have some nice veneers as well.

Good luck!

thanks do they carry ebony

[Mattia]

Seriously, what rich said - I've got a big bad bandsaw, but it's highly, highly unlikely I'll ever buy ebony in blocks and resaw it. Fingerboards aren't that expensive.

[another doug]

thanks do they carry ebony

Yup, but I've always ordered fingerboards from LMI and StewMac, for the reasons that Rich and Mattia* mentioned (plus you can get them pre-slotted and radiused). At Owl, the ends of the boards are usually very rough sawn, or even sealed, so it can be difficult to get an idea of the grain orientation. Plus, last time I was there the ebony was not as consistently dark as what I have bought on-line (but I haven't been there in a while). As I said, give them a call and I'm sure they'll help guide you toward what you are looking for.

*Trust their opinions and expertise. They are some of the most knowledgable and helpful folks around here. I, on the other hand, am just a hack sharing where I get my wood!

[richie]

thanks do they carry ebony

Yup, but I've always ordered fingerboards from LMI and StewMac, for the reasons that Rich and Mattia* mentioned (plus you can get them pre-slotted and radiused). At Owl, the ends of the boards are usually very rough sawn, or even sealed, so it can be difficult to get an idea of the grain orientation. Plus, last time I was there the ebony was not as consistently dark as what I have bought on-line (but I haven't been there in a while). As I said, give them a call and I'm sure they'll help guide you toward what you are looking for.

*Trust their opinions and expertise. They are some of the most knowledgable and helpful folks around here. I, on the other hand, am just a hack sharing where I get my wood!

ok i will see , i will see if lmi make me a 7 string fretboard , see thats what i am looking for to make a seven string , i also see if carvin guitars will sell me a fretboard.

thanks bro