Source for 8/4 Honduran mahogany?

[lowatter]

A friend and I are planning to each build a DC Jr. and I'm hoping that you guys can steer us in the right direction without getting raped for some 8/4 Honduran that's at leat 13" wide and 17" long for our builds that will be documented here.
I traded the 1st one I built for a Martin DC-1E and it was made from Sapele and this time I want them to be closer to the real deal. Thanks for any help!

 

[B. Howard]

Try these guys

Hearne Hardwoods with over 140 species of domestic and exotic hardwoods in stock, is one of the largest specialty lumber yards in the world. We are a retailer of exotic wood up to 84 inches wide, figured wood, hardwood flooring and millwork services.

 

[emoney]

Before anything else, check around your local community for "Hobbyist Shops" or "Cabinet Makers".
You'd be surprised what's out there that you didn't know about. Those places don't always
advertise in the mainstream so they're easy to over look. I've found the best source of
"tonewood" is a local Cabinet/Flooring supply house. As a matter of fact, the first time
I was in there and asked about Flamed Maple, the guy said, "Oh, we cull all of that out of
the normal stock because the flooring/cabinet guys don't want it". He led me to a section
stock full of it and it was the same exact price as all the other Maple. Flooring or cabinet
guys don't want it because they want everything to be symmetrical and matching.

 

[KnightroExpress]

Awesome advice!

 

[lowatter]

Try these guys

Hearne Hardwoods with over 140 species of domestic and exotic hardwoods in stock, is one of the largest specialty lumber yards in the world. We are a retailer of exotic wood up to 84 inches wide, figured wood, hardwood flooring and millwork services.

They have a $300 minimum order. Thanks however!

 

[lowatter]

Before anything else, check around your local community for "Hobbyist Shops" or "Cabinet Makers".
You'd be surprised what's out there that you didn't know about. Those places don't always
advertise in the mainstream so they're easy to over look. I've found the best source of
"tonewood" is a local Cabinet/Flooring supply house. As a matter of fact, the first time
I was in there and asked about Flamed Maple, the guy said, "Oh, we cull all of that out of
the normal stock because the flooring/cabinet guys don't want it". He led me to a section
stock full of it and it was the same exact price as all the other Maple. Flooring or cabinet
guys don't want it because they want everything to be symmetrical and matching.

I used to build cabinets for a local company in my area and I pretty much know what the local shops have for building mantles, corbels etc. I live near a small town that doesn't have much to offer. There's a hardwood lumber supplier not too far away but all they carry is sapele which is where I got the mahogany for my 1st build. I'm set on Honduran this time.
There's a co. called Wurth that's and hour or so away that may have some. I'll try them too. Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[monsterwalley]

Ran across this in the member classifieds http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/mem...2-light-weight-mahogany-59-les-paul-body.html

for just a couple of billets you could try Northridge Hardwoods and Hibdon hardwoods. There is always Ebay as well. I've done all three in the past. Expensive way to do it though.

I finally ended up buying a good jag of HM for bodies and necks. I don't really want to get rid of any body blanks, but may let some neck blanks go in the future.

 

[lowatter]

Ran across this in the member classifieds http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/mem...2-light-weight-mahogany-59-les-paul-body.html

for just a couple of billets you could try Northridge Hardwoods and Hibdon hardwoods. There is always Ebay as well. I've done all three in the past. Expensive way to do it though.

I finally ended up buying a good jag of HM for bodies and necks. I don't really want to get rid of any body blanks, but may let some neck blanks go in the future.

Thanks man. I'll be checking the bay and there is a blank there for $100 shipped and that'll probably be about what I will expect to pay i guess. I better start trying to save some coin. BTW...what ever happened to bulldog guitar bodies?

 

[emoney]

Dang, $100.00 for a body blank just seems crazy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's
not what the market bears, but sheesh man.

On a side note, I've had better luck in Ebay searches looking through the "woodworking"
section and staying away from the "Luthier Supplies" area. I've said this before so at the
risk of being redundant; if it says "Tonewood" in the ad, they've market it up another 30% I can assure you.

 

['59_Standard]

Try Gilmer - the guy there builds guitars IIRC.

 

[ExNihilo]

Dang, $100.00 for a body blank just seems crazy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's
not what the market bears, but sheesh man.

After a very long search, I just received two Genuine Honduran Mahogany blanks for some SGs I plan to build. They were $180 each. These are the first blanks that I have ever had that are actual Genuine Honduran Mahogany (meaning they came from Honduras). Most of the blanks I have used are South American Mahogany (which is the same tree and is also called Honduran, but they don't actually come from the country Honduras).

The blanks I got came from the country of Honduras and from non-plantation trees. $180 was a lot of money, but I have to say they are worth every penny. Though it is the same species of tree as South American Mahogany, the grain looks tighter (even though it is feather light), the tree rings are more defined (with colour variation), and it has an incredible feel to it (sort of like Balsa wood, but obviously stronger).

Anyway, if you are looking for the real Honduran (viz. from Honduras), be ready to pay.... But if you are going to pay that much, I would see if they are willing to send you the import documentation so that they are not merely selling you South American at Honduran prices.

 

[lowatter]

Thanks Scott, emoney and 59...yes it will be pricey I'm seeing. What do Precision kits have for thier bodies? Just curious. I can't see them using Honduran for what they sell them for.

59...that Gilmer site does have what I'm looking for at aound what Scott is saying. Thanks for that link. They look like they are very reputable.

FWIW, I can get sapele here locally really cheap. I may end up going with it but I just wish it was lighter. The DC Jr I built with it weighed in right at 8#s. What's the final weight of a true DC Jr build with Honduran?

Anyone try to further dry/bake sapele to lighten it? I have a moisture meter and may try to compare samples. Sorry for all the questions here.

 

[lowatter]

Just another bump to see if anyone has a good affordable source for (2) 13"+X18"X1 3/4"(or 8/4) body blanks. Brotha can you spare a dime?

 

[ihavenofish]

unfortunately my 2 sources are in Canada, and youd have a lot of hassle getting it to you.

 

[pwhite]

I picked up a piece at the the Woodcraft store in Greenville about a year ago, it wouldn't hurt to give them a call. I don't know where you are in SC, or if you have one. You can also try this guy I have bought a lot of Sapele and Spanish Cedar from him and his shipping is really cheap and it is usually here in 3 days or so.

Exotic Woods of the World

Here is a piece that I got from the board I picked up at Woodcraft

 

[rock09]

Man, 180$ is not much money for HM. I paid 400 Euros for sapele for my SG. OK, I live in Serbia, it is very, very hard to find any kind of tone wood here. If I can find HM for that price, I would get it in tons

 

[lowatter]

I Just emailed Exoctic Woods and I've already called Woodcraft and Wurth. I'm 1 hour south of Greenville. Khaya mahogany would work just fine at this point because it's cheaper and simular in weight etc. but that's hard to track down too for 8/4 by 13" wide billets. Thanks for the input.

 

[ihavenofish]

I Just emailed Exoctic Woods and I've already called Woodcraft and Wurth. I'm 1 hour south of Greenville. Khaya mahogany would work just fine at this point because it's cheaper and simular in weight etc. but that's hard to track down too for 8/4 by 13" wide billets. Thanks for the input.

try exotic woods (Canada). they most likely have 1 piece khaya for a fair price and there shouldnt be shipping hassles. I know they have "Honduran" 1 piece, but they wont be able to ship it I don't think. you can ask though. price for "Honduran" is over $100, but not a lot over I don't think. (this is the wood I was talking about in the thread about making goocarts sg)

 

[Ripthorn]

You can also contact Steve Wall Lumber Co. They are in one of the Carolinas, have great prices, and are an overall top notch company.

 

[lowatter]

Just an update to close this thread. I found some Khaya mahogany and rosewood fretboard blanks for a great price. Details are at this other thread I started...

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/312086-cherry-tv-yellow-dc-jr-builds.html