Ya Rich I am trying to do the same, those private courier "brokerage fees" are rediculous. I bought a small tool from LMI cost me $55. It was $ 25 to ship it. Seemed kind of high but I needed it so I bucked up the $80 for the $55 tool. When It arrived the courrier charged me another $45 in "brokerage fees" before they would release it. There were no duties or taxes due so there was nothing to "broker" they just pocketed the money for nothing. So I payed $125 for a $55 tool. They certainly made me feel "broker".
Anyway, I am trying to buy what I can from someone up here so I don't have to deal with the unsurity of the border, whether it be extra fees or holding wood at the border cause it is on CITIEs.
Shane seems to have a pretty good list of offerings and his prices are very realistic, in line with other american suppliers, so I will buy what I can from him.
Thanks for the link to accoustic woods as well, it's alwys good to have a few sources
Charlie, I am in Vancouver BC I thought my ID said it, but it looks like I need to update my profile
Grumpy, as this is my first guitar, I am not expecting too much from it except to learn how to avoid mistakes, oh there are a few, and to get through it so I can start my 2nd, hopefully better one.
David O