Official Luthiers Forum!

As this is my first post I figured I would say hello. My name is Ron, and after retiring five years ago I decided to get into woodworking which I absolutely have a total passion for. Now two and a half years into woodworking school, i have reached the point where I have the opportunity to take Guitar Building and Guitar Repair Classes this coming two semesters.

That being said my project is a Dreadnought Martin copy not from a kit but from scratch. So I am sure I will have a lot more questions I'll be asking. The first of many is where does one find good tone-woods for a reasonable price. (AAA Red Spruce) My local hardwood guy just laughed at me when I asked if he had any, and I got almost the same results from my local exotic hardwood store.

Guess that is it for now... Just wanted to say hello

Ron

best to order the tops from one of the many sponsors here on the board -
I have purchased back and side wood from local sources, but the tops are best to order from the sponsors.

good luck !

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

Welcome Ron!
No need to buy AAA red spruce. I use A grade regularly and it makes a very old timey looking instrument. Google Smith Creek Mandolins.

Yep, if you have access to or plan to buy the equipment to resaw back-side sets, then just buy some maple, walnut, mahogany, etc. from your local hardwood place. Otherwise, Hibdon Hardwood up in the sponsor links has Machiche sets on sale for $30, although it's ending here in a few hours. Looks like a couple mahogany sets for $50 that would be good too. I've bought a bunch of stuff from them, and always a happy customer.

For tops, I've heard nothing but good things about Shane at High Mountain Tonewood. Pretty hard to beat $12 for a fine but funky looking lutz spruce top Plus you can stock up on bracewood while you're at it.

Ron,

I can highly recommend our OLF sponsors. I have most recently dealt with RC Tonewoods, and High Mountain Tonewood. Both have been stellar, as, I suspect are others here.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com