Where do timber yards/wood resellers get their wood?

[ByronBlack]

This might sound like a daft question, but I'm wanting to start producing timbers for luthiers. Things like solid body figured caps, veneers, body and neck blanks etc.. Usually, these are needing to be highly figured woods such as tiger/flame maple, burl woods, tropical hardwoods etc..

Of the yards I've approached, most of them don't specifically sell the mentioned timbers, but say that there is a chance I might stumble upon some in an order, which obviously is no good.

There are a number of private individuals on ebay and suchlike that specialise in luthier wood, and predictably none are willing to share their sources.

So, can anyone give me a few idea's or some information to help me source these timbers in the rough preferably at cost price rather than from a re-seller??

 

[wizer]

I know Exotic Timbers (Timberline) import their wood directly from source.

 

[Doug B]

Byron,
PM sent.

 

[Woodcrafts]

Timberline in Tonbridge (exotichardwoods.co.uk)- I seem to remember was originally set up by a couple of musical instrument makers to supply timber for instrument making. Last time I went (some while back) they had a good range of exotics in plank and prepared pieces.
Don't know if Craft Supplies still supply by the board rather than just turning blanks and squares.

 

[wizer]

there was an article in GWW about Timberline, they alluded to importing directly. When you walk around Timberline it's like wood heaven. Everything's got tennons on it to get past import laws. Tho, they ain't cheap, ain't cheap at all.

 

[Mr Ed]

 

[woodyone]

took me a couple of seconds till i got it, nice one ed. :lol: :lol:

 

[ByronBlack]

Well if it only were as easy as that Ed, we would all have our choppers out!

Thanks for the suggestions so far chaps, I'll try timberline, but if they are that expensive as suggested, it might not be the best place, my plan is to re-sell on so I'll need a source where there is some markup, but I'll ask anyway.

If I were to go direct to the source, does anyone know how this is usually done? In some sectors, you would use an import/export agent, is it any different for the wood industry?

Finally - if I were to source some local timbers (sycamores, walnuts, oaks etc..) is there a general body that I would have to go through, or are the logging companies private firms that own the right to fell from a certain area?

 

[wizer]

For British woods you can go straight to the saw mills. Try Interesting Timbers (Bristol?)

 

[ByronBlack]

Thanks wizer, I'll give them a call and find out whats what.

 

[Ray Hatley]

Your best source for local (indigenous) hardwood at sensible prices IMHO is your local tree surgeon or forestry contractor.

Be prepared to collect a whole tree trunk and get it planked; then you will need to put it 'in stick' and leave it to season so you need some storage space.

You could use the services of a mobile planking mill if there is a fair bit of timber to cut but they do come expensive. You might also find that your tree surgeon has a chainsaw mill that would enable them to plank the stuff for you.

For contacts try Merrist Wood Arboricultural College - they train some of the UK's top tree people. Another good contact is an arboriculturalist called Richard Green down in Sussex - I believe he is still based in Ringmer, near Lewes. Richard does a lot of work on rare and exotic garden trees and had some amazing timber last time we spoke. Nice bloke too.

 

[ByronBlack]

Ray, that's an excellent source of contacts and info, thanks! It's funny, just before I read your post, I was reading a PDF on how to air-dry timber, I'll have to do some research and find out how to plank a log..

I'll add those names/numbers to my list, thanks again!

 

[Argus]

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What sort of timbers are you after, specifically?


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[ByronBlack]

Argus, I'm after figured maple, ebony, rosewood, bubinga, walnut burr, and perhaps something like rippled sycamore

 

[Benchwayze]

You're on my wavelength Ed. You had the balls.. I didn't!

\/

 

[Argus]

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Thans, Byron.

Is Pseudoaccacia (aka Black Locust) any us to you?

I think I heard somewhere that it's used for fret-boards.


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[MIGNAL]

Timberline are really a re-seller, so it's unlikely you will get a competative price. The market you are appealing to is pretty limited and there are a number of suppliers who cater for that market - in other words it won't be a walk in the park. Instrument makers expect very high quality wood, so a suppliers reputation is everything.
The answer to your question is that re-sellers source their timber from a variety of places. Indian Rosewood and Ebony is bought direct from companies in India, with Ebony and Rosewood fretboards being milled there.
John Boddy's might be a source for some types of timber.
Another big player is Theodor Nagel in Germany - supposedly the largest exotic wood supplier in Europe. They are certainly geared to the wholesale market.
For domestic hardwoods the situation is a little easier. It's probably best to buy from timber that is sold for furniture use. Select carefully and be prepared for a lot of waste - although you can always sell the stuff that doesn't come up to grade. Pretty much any wood sold for Musical Instrument use carries a premium price and there are good reasons why that is the case.

 

[ByronBlack]

Timberline are really a re-seller, so it's unlikely you will get a competative price. The market you are appealing to is pretty limited and there are a number of suppliers who cater for that market - in other words it won't be a walk in the park. Instrument makers expect very high quality wood, so a suppliers reputation is everything.
The answer to your question is that re-sellers source their timber from a variety of places. Indian Rosewood and Ebony is bought direct from companies in India, with Ebony and Rosewood fretboards being milled there.
John Boddy's might be a source for some types of timber.
Another big player is Theodor Nagel in Germany - supposedly the largest exotic wood supplier in Europe. They are certainly geared to the wholesale market.
For domestic hardwoods the situation is a little easier. It's probably best to buy from timber that is sold for furniture use. Select carefully and be prepared for a lot of waste - although you can always sell the stuff that doesn't come up to grade. Pretty much any wood sold for Musical Instrument use carries a premium price and there are good reasons why that is the case.

Thanks Mignal, something for me to mull over there. [Edit]

Argus, I'm not familar with Black Locust, I'll google it, I'm always open minded for new species.

 

[ByronBlack]

You're on my wavelength Ed. You had the balls.. I didn't!

\/

Where is the 'balls' in mocking an honest question?

 

[Argus]

Argus, I'm not familar with Black Locust, I'll google it, I'm always open minded for new species.

It goes under the name of Robinia.

Pseudoaccacia is a botanical name; Black Locust is a name that I found on the internet as the common name in the USA, where it originates.

I also have some Oak burr of unknown quality that has been in my shed for over 10 years. I'll get it out and have a look at it.

It may not be any use - I just grabbed it when it was going on the bonfire.




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