Official Luthiers Forum!

Im familiar with the electric guitar world of luthierie but Im just starting to get into ukuleles and mandolins. Can anybody tell me some places online where I can get some wood for ukes and mandos? Thanks in advance! -Alex

Alex, hi here/s my 2 cents. There are many online suppliers of luthier wood , who charge a premium price for high quality luthier wood vs plain hardwood lumber . If you could find a local sawyer who has a bandsaw mill . You will be able to reap signifigant savings , by having the woods you are looking for custom milled to your specs. I have bought a lot local wood at about half the price of my local friendly hardwood supplier . The wood is green , so it needs to season vs dry wood from the hardwood dealer. I have also found deals in craigslist under materials. folks getting rid of unwanted hardwoods. In my subdivision we occasssionaly cut trees and salvage lumber . Wood is plentiful in the usa. Some of the online suppliers will get top quality top wood spruce /cedar etc , But I am sure that can be sourced in the UP of michigan as well as some really good maple for mandolin making . Good luck Sandor. IMHO a lot of folks will pay premium prices for so- called " luthier woods " vs hardwood lumber

I just bought wood for my first mando from North Ridge Hardwoods in Washington.
I thought their prices were very good, and I'm very happy with the wood I've gotten
from them. I have no association with them other than being a happy customer.

http://www.northridgehardwoods.com/

_________________
Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Here's 3 on the west coast that supply wood for both ukes and mandos. NFI

Orcas Island tonewoods

Notable Woods

Maize Guitars

Nothing wrong with getting lumberyard wood and seasoning it yourself; it's definitely easier with ukes and mandos than guitars. There's liable to be someone around with a band saw and wide belt sander who'll turn a 2 x 6 into usable parts for a modest charge. Of course, there's a lot of "experience" to be gained in the process .

My best, benny

If you live in the pacific northwet, there is plenty of free wood, w red cedar, alder, w. mple, e. spruce. etc right on the beach. Even scraps from coastal logging mills can be recycled for uke and mando tops. if you ask nicely

I've also purchased from North Ridge and have been impressed with their woods, prices and service.

I have purchased tonewood from- High Mountain Tonewood, The Woodwell, Rocky Mountain Tonewood, Musikal Forest, Old World Tonewood, Old Standard Tonewood and a couple local sawmills. All of them have been great to deal with and have websites. Pals, Vic. Oh yeah, I forgot Grandpa's Workshop, International Violin. There are MANY others on the web. Just google or yahoo "tonewood".