seano554

Hi all,
I live in Ireland, and I want to get my hands on a cap for my next project, ideally it should be at least 17,1/2 X 9 X 3/8 inches.
I don't mind too much on the species, so long as it looks decent. And the cheaper the better!
Thanks in advance.

seano554

*bump*

Anything?
Surely I'm not the only person in Ireland into guitar building and on this site?
How about decent European shipping rates even?

Robbgnarly

Do you have any specialty lumber stores that sell exotic lumber in your area?

You can also check with local cabinet/furniture makers

Ebay is also a place to look.

__________________
2002 PRS CE22
197? Sanox Sound Creator LP clone (GFS Fat Pat)
2009 Epiphone G-400 (SH-4)
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Krank 1980 Jr 20watt
Krank Rev 4x12 (eminence V12)
GFS Greenie/Digitech Bad Monkey
Morley Bad Horsie 2
MXR Smart Gate

seano554

I don't, except a lumber yard/joinery that I went to for my last build. Got absolutely stitched for a 2-piece ash blank. Cost 140 or thereabouts I think! Plus they said that they would never do anything under an inch thick, something to do with stability and 'cupping'.

I thought of Ebay, but I'd be wary of the shipping costs there, and also I won't be buying anything until April/May, so it's not particularly reliable.. They also seem not to have a huge amount, or any, caps. As in less than an inch thick. Which is a waste for me, considering I need only half that, max.

SerpentineGtars

As the customer, you should be calling the shots... That or they don't have the skills or equipment to bookmatch an inch thick board. And yes, they say you coming when you bought that Ash blank. A board big enough for a body blank will cost approx £32.

Depending what you want, you'll probably find the best "exotic" and figured tops on the net, we don't get much decent stuff in stock here in the UK. Shipping will be high but it'll still work out cheaper than buying decent tops anywhere you might find it here.

If you're just after a nice Ash top or something similar, buy a piece thick big enough to bookmatch. Most timber is supplied in standard thicknesses, the minimum being an inch usually, so you'll always have to rip or thickness it down to your desired size. Most hardware suppliers or joiners will do it for a small fee... Or a drink.

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serpentineguitars.com | British Custom Made Guitars UK - Built Without Compromise

Completed Builds Post | Carve-top DC | Custom V | Custom Ash/Rosewood DC (in progress) | Ash/Wenge SC (in progress)

seano554

Yeah, I was young and ignorant then.. all of a year and a half ago!

Thanks for the reply though, answered pretty much everything I was looking for exactly. I'll assume that the UK and Ireland are fairly similar in this sense!

Spino7

Send a E-mal to Chris Larkin Guitars ...he'll be able to give you some advice on buying wood in Ireland G'luck

von Layzonfon

Well, as you seem to have been bumped by a New Jersey furniture sales bot, I'll chip in with this...

I got a couple of nice, figured caps from Oregon Wild Wood for 124USD including shipping plus £23 import duty. That works out at about £50 each, which I don't think is a bad price, and they're far superior to anything I could find over here. They were extremely helpful throughout, but watch out for their website - it'll keep you occupied for hours.

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Paddy von Layzonfon! Founder of The Spell it RELICKED Club

Wesbanez

Not sure if TS is still looking at this thread, but I know of a few decent eBay sellers when it comes to instrument building timber.

Try "Prime Timbers" and "Sherwin Timber".

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von Layzonfon

Ooh. Useful.

__________________

Paddy von Layzonfon! Founder of The Spell it RELICKED Club

Wesbanez

Also, these dudes have always been helpful - http://www.exotichardwoodsukltd.com/

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seano554

Those sites look pretty cool all right. Now to find a cap that will reach over 20" for my semi-hollow! :/
I also found http://home.btconnect.com/daviddyke/Index.htm
Looks pretty good, flamed maple fingerboard blank for £10, how bad.

Robbgnarly

www.grizzly.com is another site to look at
www.byoguitar.com also has good deals on blanks
www.stewmac.com has blanks

__________________
2002 PRS CE22
197? Sanox Sound Creator LP clone (GFS Fat Pat)
2009 Epiphone G-400 (SH-4)
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Krank 1980 Jr 20watt
Krank Rev 4x12 (eminence V12)
GFS Greenie/Digitech Bad Monkey
Morley Bad Horsie 2
MXR Smart Gate