Online Suppliers

*It is important to note that I receive no commission or compensation of any kind from your decision to do business with the tonewood suppliers mentioned in this lesson. They are simply suppliers that I have had good experiences with and recommend. There are many more options beyond what I cover here, many of which I have never used, but are in all likelihood fine tonewood suppliers.

Stewart Macdonald, Hearne Tonewoods, RC Tonewoods and Allied Lutherie are 4 online suppliers that I have had good experiences with.

Don't forget to check the "#Discounts" section of The Member's Forum on Discord before ordering to see which suppliers you can get a discount from.

Here is the invite link for The Member's Forums, in case you missed it in your email: https://discord.gg/VbXZeKvyuK

List of Parts

Now, I've set up a list of parts specifically for this course.

Parts List

Honduran Mahogany Neck Blank
Sitka Spruce Top
Honduran Mahogany Back and Sides
West African Ebony Fingerboard Blank
West African Ebony Bridge Blank
Honduran Mahogany Neck Block
Honduran Mahogany End Block
18% nickel/silver Fretwire
Bone Nut Blank
Bone Saddle Blank
Gotoh Enclosed M6 Style Tuning Keys (Gold)
Double Action, Welded Nut Truss Rod
Sitka Spruce Bracewood Billet (3)
Kerfing Strips (4)
White ABS Binding Strips (4)
BWB Purfling Strips
Ebony Bridge Pins
Plastic Dot Rod Stock
White Mother-of-Pearl Shell Dots
Orchestral Model Plans

Below are some minimum dimensions to aid in customizing your own kit:

Neck Blank - 35" x 3" x 7/8"
Top - OM size
Back and Sides - OM size back plates, 33" length sides
Fingerboard Blank - 20" x 2-1/2" x 5/16"
Bridge Blank - 6-1/2" x 1-9/16" x 7/16"
Neck Block - 3" x 4" x 1-1/4"
End Block - 5" x 3" x 1"
Fretwire - 4 ft.
Nut Blank - 1/4" x 11/32" x 2-3/16"
Saddle Blank - 1/8" x 15/32" x 3-1/4"
Truss Rod - 14-1/2" x 3/8" (overall length 15-1/2")
Bracewood Billet (3)
Kerfing Strips (4) - 128" total length
Binding Strips (4) - 090" thick x 1/4" tall x 49" long
Bridge Pins - 3 degree

You can also use these dimensions to search on other sites. Again I recommend RC Tonewoods and Allied Lutherie.

Tips on Selecting Soundboards and Back/sides sets:

Avoid figured woods because these make bending significantly more difficult
Even without figured woods, it is often the case that a first time bender will break a side plate before he/she gets it right. So it may be a good idea to order extras and practice on a cheaper side set before bending the real deal. Cracking an expensive set of sides is heartbreaking! RC Tonewoods sells very inexpensive "orphaned" sides.
I find Cherry to be much easier to bend than many other woods and it is very affordable as well

Tips on Visiting a Local Supplier

Call ahead and make sure that they do, in fact, carry instrument grade wood. Most hardwood suppliers do not cater to the guitar making crowd, and you do not want to waste your time at a facility that mills its lumber for hardwood floors or furniture.
Understand that for most hardwood suppliers that do carry it, instrument grade wood makes up a tiny piece of their overall business. Therefore, there is usually only one or two people on their entire staff that understand the particulars of that tiny niche. This is another reason to call ahead. You want to schedule your visit for when the person responsible for that part of the business is available. You don't want to just show up and purchase something off of the recommendation of someone who doesn't understand your needs.
Know that your options will likely be more limited than if you ordered online. However, you can select woods that are sourced locally, if that is important to you, and of course, you have the ability to see, touch, smell and even hear (Tap) the wood before you buy it.
Bring measuring tape and your plans. That way you can be sure that the top and back plates are large enough for an "OM" shape.

Questions? Go to the Members Forums

Optional Additional Content

http://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/acoustic-guitar-design-fretboard-woods/ http://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/acoustic-guitar-design-an-insight-into-the-choices-made-by-luthiers/

Materials and Parts

You must be logged in to access this course