software

Not that kind!!!

I'm talking about high quality wood for guitar bodies. I'm thinking about buying a block of alder or ash and trying my hand at building a guitar (strat style - I'm not brave enough to tackle a hollowbody!) or at least the body of one. I can get all the specs and such. I know there are several places where I can buy body blanks, but I was curious if anyone knew of a specific place that sold very high quality wood - not just the scrap left over at the sawmil.

you've probably seen Warmoth's already, but their body blanks are the same stuff they use for their actual bodies, and we all know they are good quality

If you want a good wood, just turn on the playboy channel

MIA: check your phone book for local woodcrafter's stores. I know there's a woodcrafter's store here in the Nati that last time I was in there had real nice looking pieces of mahogany that you could use to build a two piece body. IIRC, they also stocked some of the common woods in that size, such as Ash (Hard), Walnut, and Maple.

If you get a wild hair up your arse, a lot of them even stock thiner pieces (would have to be planed a bit to get down to a perfect bookmatch width) of rarer wood. For instance, the store I'm referring to had really nice looking pieces of Paduak, Korina, and Cherry. You never know what you'll find. I would look locally, though. Much easier to pick up than to ship.

Shred, yes, I have checked them out, and I'm leaning toward alder, which they say is a very common tree up there so they should be able to get good pieces cheap. I also want to make sure I don't get the lower quality pieces since they're not making near the profit off me they would if I were buying a totally routed body.

Mike, there's actually a store pretty close that sells all kinds of wood (I was particularly awed by the 8 foot long ebony boards). I know they have alder and ash, though I'm not sure which type of ash, but I'm worried about it since I really have no experience picking out good pieces of wood for a guitar. I guess it's better than paying a ton of money and them screwing me over by sending me a mediocre piece of wood and not knowing any better, though.

Good thoughts. Thanks guys. I'm definitely considering both.

Sune, I tried that, but my neighbor got mad at me for patching into his Direct TV and ordering the good channels.

If you are in Ontario Canada Aamp;M Lumber in Cambridge ON serves guitar makers.... they have a web site and ship anywhere...

WhoFan


Originally Posted by WhoFanIf you are in Ontario Canada Aamp;M Lumber in Cambridge ON serves guitar makers.... they have a web site and ship anywhere...

WhoFan

Here is their web sites both Canada and USA versions

www.forloversofwood.com/canada/www.forloversofwood.com/us/

WhoFan

I guess I could be a little farther from Ontario and still live in the US. Thanks for the link. I'll check them out. I doubt shipping would be very much more than from Warmoth.

Check the Musical Instrument Makers' Forum. They have links to wood suppliers. A ton of expert info amp; instruction, too.

I wouldnt start with a top quality peice of wood for your first project! There will be alot of unforseen things that will most likely happen to it! Get some really cheap stuff to try on first! I really cant stress that enough!

for one piece bodies try larry at gallary hardwoods or gilmer
those are two of my suppliers

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll have to check them out.Originally Posted by theodieI wouldnt start with a top quality peice of wood for your first project! There will be alot of unforseen things that will most likely happen to it! Get some really cheap stuff to try on first! I really cant stress that enough!

Don't worry. There's a guy I work with that'll hook me up with enough oak for three or four practice bodies for almost nothing and I may even try a body from some bargain basement alder (if I can find any) before I try it with a good piece. I'm definitely not paying $50-$100 for a piece of wood to practice on. I have the woodworking skills of a fish.