So the first couple g's I have made I used poplar I got from Home Depot.
That worked fine but now I have basically cleaned up the 3 straight pieces they have left. Sutherland's nearby also has some 1x2 (poplar and red maple) but I couldn't find a good piece in the bunch.
I assume these stores won't order anymore stock until they have sold a lot of what they have (still pretty full shelves).
So I'm searching around but I can't find any more stores in the area that have stock. Currently another lumber yard is getting me quotes on ordering.
I just ordered some rosewood fingerboards from these guys
Seems like decent prices. Are there any other good places to order from, better prices? I guess supporting local is almost a non choice anymore. :(
(have to order tuners and pups online to get decent prices too).
I even had to order cigar boxes online to get better choices than the local shop, though I haven't been to them enough to know the full selection they may have.
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For finger boards, I found a local hardwood floor reseller that has 1/4" thick pieces. I have walnut, Purple Heart, Jatoba, and lacewood that all make beautiful guitars. I buy large (~10"x 4'-6')end-pieces and trim them down on the table saw... For $50 in wood, I get 30 or so finger boards... My local hardwood store has a variety of woods: Sipo, zebra, maple, and more). If you can find Jatoba, you have to give it a try... It is amazingly strong, and looks great.
The cheapest source for hardwoods for me is.... pallets. I have a standing request at the local hardware store that is different from most in that they buy from all over the world. The owners get product not only from their chain outlet but from buying shows as well.
Bottom line is when pallets arrive from certain places in the USA I get oak, When pottery arrives from Malaysia I get teak and mahogany, so heads up in spring time. Anything spuce/pine from N America I ignore, obviously. I like the fact that the wood has character with dark staining and nail holes which I try to incorporate into the build.
happy cbg'n
To comment on an earlier post, Oak flooring is straight, cheap, and easy to find. And 2 1/2" widths are plenty wide enough for whatever your building.
doing a little of that myself, leftover oak flooring. Table saws HATE oak, btw. even the resaw blade on my bandsaw didn't like it. strangely the 20tpi detail blade did the best ???
My bandsaw did ok with a coarse blade on oak flooring, but I know what you mean, sometimes the wood just does not want to be cut.
Hmmm, I actually avoided the flooring place thinking it was probably just pre-cut short pieces, I'll give it a try.
Ken craft store seems to have very good prices on stuff.
place that makes hardwood flooring.
In most cases they have a much better appreciation for wood and should be able to get you better quality woods.
Try the thin wood department at:
kencraftstore.com
You can get African Mahogany in 3/4" x 4" x 24" for $8.20 each from Ocooch Scroll Ready Hardwoods. They aren't long enough for a "through-body" type neck. But perfect for a "bolt-on" style. And very affordable.
And they have other wood choices.
Thanks guys, I'll look into those options.
Was trying to stay away from the squares as I don't have table/jig saw but found someone who is willing to do some cuts for me. May have to make him a cbg before long :D
The price for the rosewood fretboards was OK, $8 per, wanted one for my bass I'm getting ready to do. It was $8.50 shipping. Got two more for same shipping and a $1 off each so I can live with that for nicer g's. Averages about $10 each.
Their maple neck blanks were a bit much though, You can get a few out of them with proper tools, but they'd still be $15-20 each for maple (the cheapest they have). Getting a bit high for average boxes I think.
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