Official Luthiers Forum!

Well folks I don’t know if you have noticed or not but I have been a little less active on the forum of late, and to some I am sure this has been a relief. The reason behind my absence was partly because of a recent ISP change and all of the associated turmoil which that brings in this day and age but also because I, (yes me!) have been stunned into complete speechlessness.

Some of you may recall that during the recent OLF swap meet Steve Roberson of Colonial Tonewoods dropped an absolute clanger on us when he showed images of an amazing billet of Bastogne (I believe it is pronounced Bas-tone) Walnut which he was due to re-saw. He announced that he would be making some sets available to us OLFer’s around early July and also made mention of a special he was having offering A and AA Red Spruce Tops for just $25 & $50 a piece.

Well the swap meet came and went and was absolutely brutal on my finances; however I simply could not resist that beautiful Bastogne Walnut. It haunted me in my sleep and taunted my every waking moment, yeah, it’s the WAS alright, you see once you got it in your blood,…well, you know what I’m talk’in about….. So I waited, I waited patiently, and then I made contact with Steve at the beginning of the month as instructed. As always Steve went out of his way to help me out and I gotta say….. Oh Yeah Baby! I got my Fix!

Feast your eyes upon what he sent me. But please keep in mind these images were taken on an old Sony 3.3 Meg Cyber-shot, in my backyard, and on an overcast day. In real life, this stuff is just THE Ritz!








Now in this last shot, by flooding the area with naphtha and quickly snapping the image, I have tried to capture the 3D effect which the intense curl of this Bastogne is likely to produce under a finish. This is simply incredible in real life and whilst the image does give a reasonable idea, it does not do justice.



I know, I know, be still thy beating heart.

Anyhow, if you are in the market for some of this stuff be quick, once it is listed on Steve’s site my prediction is that it will be gone in a flash. As for the “on special” Red Spruce that I ordered, it too was exactly what I was after, I was specific about what I wanted, and that is what I got. But then I must say that I have never once, not ever been disappointed with anything received from Colonial Tonewoods.

For all woodaholics, but especially for those WAS affected individuals which live outside of the USA, take head of this kudos my friends. Like you, I understand that returns are difficult at best, more importantly, Steve Roberson understands this point very well so he gets it right from the start.

Steve also knows that shipping cost are a handicap to his foreign clients and always seems willing to go the extra yard to ensure we get fair value for money. If you ask nice, I bet he will even cherry pick to your requirements and make a full blooded effort to colour matching wood you may already have from e-mailed images etc.

I have no problems at all in giving Steve this wrap and lending my support to his business, I do so without any prompting or incentive from him and without any expectation of future favour. The fact is that I am just giving credit were due and will gladly continue to do so as long as I continue to experience the level of service and quality of product that Steve continues to provide.

I have had very good dealings with all OLF sponsors I have dealt with to date and that is most, but Steve of Colonial, Tim Spittle of Australian Tonewoods, and John Watkins of CNC Guitar Parts have been quite simply outstanding vendors.

If you are new to this craft, it is easy to get a little bewildered with all that is available in the market place. In my experience, if you buy from an OLF sponsor, you will always do well, if you buy from any of the 3 guys I mentioned above, you will most likely have your expectations well and truly exceeded every time.

Cheers

Kim

That's just the duck's guts Kim.

So when does construction commence?

Cheers

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

You mean you want me to actually CUT the wood Bob??

Soon mate, soon, I promise

Cheers

Kim

Kim, what a beautiful score!! Man, that will be a fine looking instrument. Hurry up and get it together.

I agree with you about Steve, too. A class act.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Wooow!!! From light coffee and cream to deep red just wetting.

Geez not even an honorable mention?
Where did I go wrong????

Very beautiful wood.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Kim, get out the bender dude.....

That is some killer wood. Looks a lot like Claro Walnut from Northern California and Oregon. A very handsome piece. Steve is a great guy, very professional.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Woah! Sorry Bob Can't forget the Zootman, always good to do business with Robert C the Zootmeister of RC Tonewoods Gees, Bob will even take one on the chin for ya just to keep the customer happy, that's why he wears that superman suit Please accept my sincere apologies Bob, but this is what I mean folks, you just can't go wrong dealing with our OLF sponsors.

Cheers

Kim

Kim, that is some awesome looking Zoot.  Take some deep breaths before it goes under the blade and the grit. 

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Kim-
Nice looking wood.
I just checked the Colonial website- not much there and it's 'way out of date ("New sets coming May 1" New sets Coming July 1"). So, either the 'Bastogne" is all gone or it's not posted yet as far as I can see.

Could you update us with the price you paid for this walnut?

Thanks

John

*drooooool*

Yep, got me a set o' that too. Thanks Steve. Sure is pretty.

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Wow! Nice stuff!!

   Thanks for clearing that up, I thought Aussies flooded with beer before photos?

    I didn't see what you plan to make out of it.

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Thanks for the tip! I just got off the phone with Steve and got the sister set to yours!!
Looks like I'll be binding this one with some incredible curly mahogany, and a red spruce top!

Kim,

It appears that you have placed the wood on your bed. I know you are very excited, but please be careful! You could end up with splinters, and your wife will think you cheated on her.

Dennis
p.s. Lovely score, now bend her and make her sing! (see, I kept that rated "G"!)

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Kim, I can't stand you! I read this first thing this morning (great looking score by the way) and ever since, I've had that stupid song from Beauty and the Beast (Gastone) stuck in my head. IT"S ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!

And just so you all can suffer along with me

Gastone

Wow Paul,

What a great idea, "Tonewood" the musical! I can see the flashing lights of Broadway now

Dennis,

The photos were taken on an old sleeping bag in the backyard, if SWMBO finds out what I spent on wood recently then yes, it will indeed be my bed.

John, you won't find the Bastogne on Steve's site, probably all be gone before it gets there as I understand this hybrid of Claro crossed with French Walnut is very very rare. You had best take a leaf out of Scott's book and just give him a call.

As for updating his site, Steve is probably to busy looking after fussy PIA customers like me and packing wood to find any time to get to it.

Cheers

Kim

Kim's right--call Steve, just be careful, because he'll tell you about the other things that are not on the site yet--he's got some incredible stuff!

[QUOTE=af_one] call Steve, just be careful, because he'll tell you about the other things that are not on the site yet--he's got some incredible stuff![/QUOTE]

Oh man! Give me a break Scott.

must not call Steve, must not call Steve, must not call Steve

Cheers

Kim

Very,Very pretty Zoot Kim! Stuff like this when posted here, seems to last about 5 ,6 seconds tops!!
Nice Score Kim.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Yes, bastogne is beautiful.
Here's a set I have had for 5-6 years, just waiting to do something.

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Hank Mauel

Why that bastongne never told me abut this stuff!!!
and i thought we were tight.

i got some bear claw german spruce from Steve last week that is really great, as well as some quilty koa, and some quilted makore. i just told him to surprise me with some stuff.... boy did he.

Matt

Since I asked about the price and didn't get a reply here, should I assume that you folks aren't paying the (very high) prices posted on the website?

Just curious.....


Cheers

John