T-Bay Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Just getting the itch to do a build so am trying to source all the bits I need. Does anyone know of good suppliers for wood blanks suitable for a body? After considering loads of fancy woods I have decided just to go for something light and paint it after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I reckon you'll need to define what species you want first and whether you want it seasoned / ovened or whatever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Ask Jez if he has another spare door and shelf.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 A luthiers suppliers is probably the easiest option, but you'll pay more. Last solidbody I made I used Luan(which is sold as "maghogany" in lots of general timber yards) sourced from a timber merchant - it did require a bit of faffing about finding a plank that looked like it would be stable long term without obvious flaws and provide a two piece blank, but it ended up being inexpensive and I'm happy with the result. If you want to go ultralight with something like paulowinia, you might need to engage some lateral thinking to source it and buy it from a company that uses it day to day (surfboard manufacture was the best UK option last I checked several years ago), and if their supplier isn't sending them planks that are big enough to make a blank from, you'll have to accept making a blank from more than two pieces. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 (edited) I've used some Sapele for the bodies on the last couple of basses that I've made. Bought it from a local DIY store and it's absolutely fine. You have to be a bit careful to know it's suitably dry - I'm just lucky with the place near me. They also thickness the stuff for me which is a bonus. Was less than £30 for a body. Whereabouts are you located? Is this for you planned headless build? The usual suppliers are David Dyke, Tonetech and Exotic Hardwoods. You will get more character woods from these if you want but they will also have stuff that can be painted. And there's always eBay. Or the local tip for old furniture.... Edited November 17, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 They closed the local hospital near where I live recently. In the strip down they removed a ton (not far off) of dark wood, probably Mahogany. Look for similar demolitions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 3 minutes ago, TheGreek said: They closed the local hospital near where I live recently. In the strip down they removed a ton (not far off) of dark wood, probably Mahogany. Look for similar demolitions. Now you tell me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 2 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: I've used some Sapele for the bodies on the last couple of basses that I've made. Bought it from a local DIY store and it's absolutely fine. You have to be a bit careful to know it's suitably dry - I'm just lucky with the place near me. They also thickness the stuff for me which is a bonus. Was less than £30 for a body. Whereabouts are you located? Is this for you planned headless build? The usual suppliers are David Dyke, Tonetech and Exotic Hardwoods. You will get more character woods from these if you want but they will also have stuff that can be painted. And there's always eBay. Or the local tip for old furniture.... I am in Tamworth and yes it’s for the headless build, so we are talking thunderbird body size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 2 hours ago, TheGreek said: They closed the local hospital near where I live recently. In the strip down they removed a ton (not far off) of dark wood, probably Mahogany. Look for similar demolitions. A lot of that is Eroku (not sure on the spelling) which is not good for you when the dust is created, had loads of warnings about it at work after people did just what you mention. Would be fine with a decent mask I suppose. But it’s a heavy and dense timber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 (edited) There is a proper timber supplier near Tamworth that has loads of hardwoods and sells it in small quantities that would be suitable. Think it was Sykes timbers. Edited November 17, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 5 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said: There is a proper timber supplier near Tamworth that has loads of hardwoods and sells it in small quantities that would be suitable. Think it was Sykes timbers. Perfect! I have been told a few times about a proper old school timber merchant ‘along the A5’ but never managed to track its exact location before. Atherstone is only a few miles away so dead easy to take a trip and find what I need! Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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