Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi guys and gals-

I just got back from a trip to an exotic hardwood dealer in my hometown. I haven't been to this particular establishment in about 5 years. The proprietor started resawing backs, sides and tops in the past few years. Some of this wood has been laying around for 60-70 years in board form. When I showed up today, I asked if he had any wood for building guitars. He brought me to a small closet and let me poke through some sets of cocobolo, limba, sapele and some spruce tops. I asked for the good stuff and he pulled out some nice Brazilian rosewood and lightly figured Cuban mahogany. I picked out a set of the mahogany and then asked where he hides his personal stash. We went into his office and he let me dig through a cabinet full of old quartered Brazilian rosewood but the stuff on the bottom was a few sets of quartered Pernambuco big enough for 17" jumbos. I begged for one particular set of the Pernambuco and he relented. I also picked up some chunks of Brazilian rosewood big enough for 20 bridge blanks.

The Cuban mahogany (actually from Cuba) is from pre-1946 and the Pernambuco was cut into board form prior to 1982. Here are a couple of grainy cellphone pictures - it is hard to see the figure in the Cuban mahogany.

Share your best sets of wood from your own personal stashes.



Cuban Mahogany






Pernambuco

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Sweet!!!!!

Care to reveal your source? My in-laws live in LaGrange, maybe I could stop in on my way down sometime.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

+1

Casey and Mark-

The place is Carlton McLendon exotics in Atlanta. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I've been busy. I went back today after work and bought the rest of the Pernambuco sets and a large chunk of African blackwood for bridges. The place was started by Carlton, who died 6-7 years ago in his 90s. I think the guy who owns it now is named Richard. He is very knowledgeable about wood and has tons of rare and high quality stuff. He doesn't have much in the way of tops now but is expecting a shipment soon. I thought he had some euro spruce tops in his private stash - I misunderstood him, it's some Red and Engelmann. They were A grade at best though. His selection of exotics is staggering and worth the trip, especially if you can resaw yourself. His prices are very good - especially considering the quality. I hope you guys get a chance to go digging around the place, it's really cool.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Thanks, John. I'll check 'em out.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.