Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum. Bruce Harvie referred me to post an inquiry. I'm searching for a source for a set of Brazilian Rosewood pieces to build a mandolin to match a guitar for a customer of mine. Can any of you help me out or point me in the right direction?

Steve

Steve Welcome aboard. I cant lelp, but I bet someone here can. Keep checking back, and someone will probably have just what you need.

Al

Wow, that might be tough!

There are several tonewood suppliers who sponsor the OLF, I'd start with
Steve at Colonial and start asking folks if they can supply that. Someone
recently mentioned that Steve has a large stash of BRW. That said, there
have been nothing but rave reviews for all of the tonewood sponsors.
Just start clicking the links on top of this page and contacting the folks by
email.

Assuming you're carving the back, if you can't find a wedge set of braz,
what about possibly carving the back out of maple and applying a BRW
veneer to it? You could even use a solid piece of braz for the rim. Yet
another possibility might be gluing up a few layers of BRW vendeer on a
carved form w/ a vacuum press to create the domed plate that way.

I'll be really interested to hear what you're able to work out.

Out of curiosity, what are you using for the top? Red spruce or
something different? Also, what will you make the neck of the instrument
out of?

Hi Jay,
I like to use Red Spruce for the guitars and the mandolins, but I may put a Sitka top on this to match the guitar. Sitka will probably open up a bit quicker too. I have a couple nice sets from Bruce. I'll use a Maple neck with Brazilian fingerboard and headstock veneer. If I could get a piece of Brazilian for the neck I might think about it too. Otherwise I'll use Maple binding to set off the neck with the body. I'll do the same treatment on the guitar. I'll see what turns up. I would even consider a multiple piece back if that is what it takes.

Steve

If Steve can't help you call Larry Davis from Gallery Hardwoods. I bet he can help. He has occassionally supplied me with BRW top caps for carved top electrics.

:-)

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

Welcome to the OLF Steve!

Serge