Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey fellow Canucks (not referring to hockey here...more of a Flames fan...nothing to cheer for there though),
So LMI and StewMac are really great for luthier supplies as we all know but shipping costs and duty often drive up the costs. Let's use this thread to share some great Canadian suppliers for all things lutherie.

This rookie would love to learn from your experience!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Bow River and Highmountain are the only ones I can vouch for...
Wouldn't a comprehensive list be nice?

I'll second the vote for Highmountain.

Bob at Saint Lutherie is a great for boundless fretboards.

George Heinl in Toronto treat builders very, very well when it comes to things like tuners and cases.

Fraser Valley Fine Woods! Be it the web or ebay store, the quality is great, prices are fair!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

This is great thus far. Could we post URL's in our submissions?

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

http://www.fine-woods.com/index.html
ebay store - fine_woods

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Big time props for A&M in Ontario
http://www.amwoodinc.com/

A & M is actually in Cambridge ON. A great store for wood and instrument related odds and ends.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

All good sources, so far. I'll add that Heinl has a lot more stuff than expected, or even cataloged; just have to ask them. There's also Timeless Instruments in Saskatchewan...

And for the record, there is NO DUTY when buying from the US(IE: StewMac, LMI, Allied, etc....). What you get charged for at the post office is the sales taxes, not duties. There's a $5 flat rate for customs handling from the post office; the couriers will charge a LOT more, so if possible, always insist on using the post office.

Exotic Woods in Burlington, Ont. http://www.exotic-woods.com/index.html

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Canadian Luthier Supply http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com/

If you get a UPS brokerage account (which is free) then they charge the $5 flat rate as well, and that works for any shipper so long as you get them to put on the package that UPS is your customs broker.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

There's a fellow on the west side of Toronto that I bought some wood from several years ago. I tried a couple of times after that but he was never available so I gave up figuring that it was such a low level sideline for him that he really wasn't in the business. Then out of the blue a couple of weeks ago I got an email from him advising me of a sale. So, not totally sure of his status, but for what it's worth, here's his web site:

http://www.guitarwood.ca

Also, here in Ottawa we have KJP Select Hardwoods; they have a limited supply and I find their small cut items pricey:

http://www.kjpselecthardwoods.com/

Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

I've ordered from bezdez on ebay (store: bezdez) with very good results.

I've never actually ordered from Aaron Hix (store: A Hix Tonewood and Luthier Supplies) but I've heard very positive things.

I've bought a couple of sets from Aaron. Great wood and price.

Black Forest Wood in Calgary is a pretty great source but don't count on their website for any listings. They do keep a bunch of tonewood in stock for anyone to browse through in person...will mill just about anything to your specs as well.
http://www.blackforestwood.com/

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

+1 but im not in canadia

I'd like to point out that Aaron Hix seems to be in Georgia, USA.

At least that's what it says on his ebay stuff...

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

A branch office would be most welcomed!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

He will ship to Canada though. It surprises me how many Ebay sellers won't ship here. Is it really that much different than shipping domestically? I think Aaron owes me a set or 2 for all the bidding up I've done for him. Another guy I'm glad doesn't live in my neighbourhood. I'd be broke.

I can't say that I'm a big fan of bidding for tonewood. I want to buy what I want to buy without having to wait days for a bidding competition to be completed.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

In regards to your questions about shipping domestically vs. internationally, there is a pretty big jump in cost (going either way) and there is a small amount of additional paperwork that is required. It is usually just a matter of declaring what is in the package. Depending on what the item is there could be restrictions on shipping internationally or additional documentation that is required. I think some people just don't want the hassle.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I have purchased wood from Musical Forest, http://hvgb.net/~tonewood/

Granted, I am not in Canada, but they had what I wanted at the time. Quick shipping, even to the US, and no problems.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Can't forget about David at timeless instruments in Saskatchewan. Nice tops and necks. Sorry, I'm not smart enough to post a link on my smartphone

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

I have been looking for a canadian supplier of nitro lacquer. Exotic Woods in Burlington sells it for a$75/liter. Seems rxcessively expensive to me.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 2

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Under Compensated Nut!