Official Luthiers Forum!

I've ordered abalone rosettes from a few different suppliers, ordering their "heart" each time. It's never nearly as figured as the red abalone in the rosette below. For the guys who like to use shell rosettes, where are you finding this stuff?

I find myself buying most of my stock from Randy Allen. He has good prices and a range of sizes. But if you are really striking out I would buy sheet stock (abalam) and either cut it yourself or have someone cut it for you (CNC).

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock is right,
if you want really figured stuff, Abalam is the way to go.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Check with Rescue Pearl, they have a very large selection.http://www.rescuepearl.com
Look under laminated Shell (ablam) , curved.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

I really like Rescue Pearl as well. JoAnn is very nice.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

You mean you don't dive for it? That's how the rest of us get it. Only way to get the good stuff--unless you buy ablam, but that's for wimps.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Sorry Howard, to get the good stuff you have to actually live under water. I have a time share in an undersea colony - but of course I'm just a part time luthier.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

I have always bought my shell directly from Chuck Erikson aka The Duke of Pearl.
I'm not sure if he still has the $1000. min order ,but you will save a lot of money-compare his prices to other suppliers. You can always go in with someone else to make the min. order.
He does have a great website now.

I just checked his website and the min. order is $300.
There is an additional 10% discount on orders over $1000.
I have done business with Chuck for over 10 years and highly reccomend him.

If I need some really figured stuff of any shell type I just let Andy DePaule know and he gets it for me. I have never been disappointed But I only use natural shell as in non-laminated Just a personal preference