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It was with great interest I read Mario's article on neck making in the latest issue of Guitarmaker. (Thanks Mario!)

I like the idea of purchasing neck wood in bulk as opposed to just buying a blank for one or two. Sooo... what I'm wondering is: what are the sources for 12/4 Mahogany or Sapele. I want to get a bunch of blanks cut up so they can start seasoning.

TIA,

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

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Mark, are you located anywhere near water? Reason: the boat yards usually have big, thick, long mahogany. We have a boatwright nearby and he keeps me in stock pretty well.

or a shop fitter.

I got all my walnut & oak from McCue's dumpster!!McCue's

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Any large hardwood supplier....

OK, I've found hondo mahogany up to 16/4, but the thickest sapele I've been able to find is 8/4. Anyone have a *specific* source for this in 12/4 thickness?

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

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Shopping for wood, especially specialty hardwoods, is not like shopping for an appliance. Even the largest dealers don't always have all sizes and all species. This is a different business. You MUST get on the phone and call around to find someone who has what you are looking for, and often, you'll not find exactly that, either, and have to try again the following week...

BTW, 10/4 stock makes perfect neck stock, also; you simply have to add little 'ears' to the headstock. Martin does it, Collings does it, and I do it, when necessary.

OK - Makes sense. Thanks Mario. I'll get on the phone this afternoon.

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

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There is a supplier on NC that always seems to have a good quantity of African Mahogany on hand. Some of it is real stripey like Sapele and some is not. The place is Wall Lumber (Google it if you want), and they always have some mahogany on hand, but none of it is Honduran.
Good Luck,
Homeboy

Well I did find a source for Sapele. But... heheh - 2000 bd. ft. minimum order... Yikes! Still looking... I'll see if my local guy can order it...

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

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I am trying to find a good source for 12/4 Spanish Cedar or 6/4 quartersawn Spanish Cedar. I build my necks with a v-joint head joint as does Jose Romanillos, Joshua French, Greg Byers, and other classical builders.

For splice joint necks 4/4 material is fine but for a V-joint you need about 35mm (~1 3/8) so 6/4 works perfect.

Too much spanish cedar is being sawn into cedar box thicknesses so thicker stock is hard to find in a decent quality...if anyone knows a good source I would appreciate it.

You try Hibdon, They usually have some nice neck blanks.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Shawn,
   I was able to find Spanish Cedar locally here in Ohio. I purchased a board that was 5/4 by 8" wide (I needed a wide board). I am not sure if they ship wood but might be worth a call.

Spanish Cedar

Good luck!

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Brad
Avon, OH

[QUOTE=Shawn]
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I am trying to find a good source for 12/4 Spanish Cedar or 6/4 quartersawn Spanish Cedar.   
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[/QUOTE]

I bought a 30 bdf of 12/4 span. cedar from a place called Hogan Hardwoods. I like the freedom of do-overs.