Tiger maple sourcing.

[Slim]

Now it may be a bit ambitious, but my brother in law and I have decided to try and make ourselves a pair of electric guitars, Les Paul style.

I am trying to source both tiger maple and flamed maple for the top. It needs to be 2" blocks as it will be split on the bandsaw to give a bookmatched finish.

Can anyone recommend where to get such a piece of wood. My local suppliers, British Hardwoods cannot supply it. There are a few guitar making sites that sell bookmatched pieces, but the are extortionately priced for what they are.

Thanks Guys.

 

[mr]

I would have thought that a solid body guitar was best made from something like Ash with a maple top veneered on top of that which would keep the cost down of the figured maple which I imagine is always going to be expensive.
Having said that Ive never built a guitar its yet another thing on the to do list but others here have, someone will no doubt be along with a better answer.

Have a look here http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpr...Solid+Body+Woods&NameProdHeader=Figured+Maple
I know its US based but the sizes and costs are an indicator I would have thought. 16mm thickness figured maple , 2 bpieces bookmatched for use on a carved top Les Paul. costing between $70 & $170 depending on quality.
Cheers Mike

 

[Slim]

cheers mike.

Les Pauls have a carved and profiled top. Therefore the maple starts out at 1" thick. I not sure that a veneer will look right if it is profiled. It will be laminated on to mahogony. I have a beautiful block of 40-50 year old mahogony.

 

[davy_owen_88]

I've ordered a few bits and pieces from here.

For the bookmatched tops you have to phone or email but hes a nice guy to deal with.

You may also think that some prices are very high, but you have to realise that some of the pieces for sale on some of the sites are superbly figured, more-so than you would find/use on furniture and as a result the price-tag increases.

If you need any help with the building/setting up of the guitar or any other tips/advice don't hesitate to ask.

Davy

 

[Slim]

Thanks Davy, Thats a nice site. I will check it out.

 

[MIGNAL]

David **** luthier supplies does a lot of fine guitar wood for both acoustic and electric, also stocks fittings, fret wire ect. & specialist tools.

Mignal:also from BFD

 

[Inspector]

http://fine-woods.com/index.html

I haven't used these guys myself but they may have what your looking for, and if not they may cut to suit your needs.

 

[MIGNAL]

I forgot. You may as well join Mimf.com Plenty of great info from chaps who have made guitars. If you sign up and join (it's free) it allows you to search their vast library of discussions/advice.

 

[Philly]

Craft Supplies have a guitar dept. too. All sorts of lovely timbers.
Philly

 

[Slim]

Wow thanks guys, a plethora of info there.

Mignal, That instrument makers forum looks good, i'm sure i'll get some good tips there.

When we get round to it, I will do a WIP thread.

 

[ByronBlack]

Another recommendation here for David ****, i've made a number of gee-tars from his wood, it is exceptional and very highly figured. Definity worth giving him a call, his service and advice is second to none.

I've also used Stewart Macdonalds quite a lot for hardware - they supply a lot of nice pre-made stuff like fretted fingerboards, necks etc.. Although they are in the states, their very quick for their delivery.

 

[AndyBoyd]

Another one would be an eBay shop called North Coast Hardwood's, I bought from these when I was living in the US and again now I'm here in, very good on postage and i have been delighted with their stunning pieces.
http://myworld.ebay.com/northcoasthardwoods/

I have no connection just a happy customer
I mean just look at this for eye popping:

 

[Slim]

Wow!!

I think that is the best looking piece of wood I have ever seen!

Might be a tad expensive to post to UK though.

Cheers Andy