Ebony and gidgee suppliers ?

[Oakey]

Hi

I am trying to source an Australian supplier of African or Sri Lankan ebony and also gidgee. Does anyone know of a timber specialist dealing in these species.

Previously I have imported ebony as fret board blanks but the cost of postage is getting excessive and I would rather cut my own.

Cheers,

Oakey.

[Nick]

You could approach Tim over at Australian Tonewoods to see if he has any Gidgee. He doesn't list on his site but has all sorts of wonderful stuff stashed away. He doesn't do Ebony though,Australian Luthiers supplies sells blanks of it as does Gerard Gilet over at Guitar Woods.
I know what you mean about postage though Some times it can cost as much as a good back & side set does just to get stuff from the states.

[ozwood]

Also Graham Naughton at Loggerheads Timber will have some if Tim can't help you , he has it in Ringed and Plain, and Is great to deal with also.

http://www.loggerheads.com.au/



Cheers,

[Oakey]

Thanks for your replies Nick and ozwood. I appreciate your help. I will contact them and if I find any other suppliers I will post them on here too.

Cheers,

Oakey.

[J.F. Custom]

Hey Oakey.

Graham at Loggerheads is certainly one of the best for Outback timbers, as in Gidgee or Mulga.

I've known him and used his timber for many years. Good prices and excellent quality and depending on what you want, prompt service. I say this as he does do custom cutting to some extent too, but has many 'off the shelf' items ready to go.

This is some of his gidgee on this build -

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2394&hilit=multiscale

and also the binding/fretboard/bridge on this one -

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2393&p=29006&hilit ... ist#p29006

No complaints about the quality there!! But that is pretty rare high figure.

There is also Pete McCurly. He does quite a range of Australian timbers including some great Gidgee. He is in the process of moving I believe and I'm not sure if he has pre-cut fingerboard stock or if it would need to be milled, but a quick PM to him would let you find out. He is based in Victoria. That is forum member "curly" by the way.

There are many suppliers of Ebony around from specialist luthiers supplies in Australia, through to timber yards that stock exotics. Be aware that true African ebony tends to be black with grey streaks and more prone to splitting than some of the other ebonies.

Gidgee is harder wearing than any Ebony.

Hope it helps.

Jeremy.

[Oakey]

That's really great Jeremy and thanks heaps.

Loggerheads is a name that keeps cropping up so I really must go and see Graham. I shall also contact Pete McCurly as you suggested. As I have no experience of using gidgee but I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks once again for your help and if I find anyone importing ebony in any quantities I'll post the details up on here for those that might be interested but it looks to me you have covered all the likely sources.

Cheers,

Oakey.

[Chalks]

Please forgive me Oakey if I am doing the wrong thing here, but I have a similar question about Aussie suppliers of Burr veneers. I have been trying to get the likes of Walnut and Elm burl, but because I want such a small amount no one is really interested. Can anybody point me in the direction of a supplier please.

Chalks

[Oakey]

Hi Chalks

Sorry I can't help you. I know it is probably not what you want to hear but the best source I've found of walnut burls ,and the likes, is the USA via ebay. Many of my old time suppliers for 20 years+ have taken to selling all the best stuff on auction in small lots. Like you, I get the cold shoulder nowadays unless I am willing to part with large sums of cash, buying whole burls. Perhaps you could find a number of other members interested in purchasing the same and buy a burl between you. You may find a number of members would welcome such an enterprise if you were at the helm!

Cheers,

Oakey.

[Lillian]

One of the best places I know for walnut, black, English and Claro, is Goby. http://www.gobywalnut.com/

You can check out Burlwood Online for buckeye burls. http://www.burlwoodonline.com/burlslabs ... bs_buckeye

Swords Walnut has some interesting stuff for time to time. http://www.swordswalnutshop.com/Special ... .htm#Burls

So does Northwest Timber. http://www.nwtimber.net/shop-all-wood-types

If you are looking for smaller stuff, eBay is your best bet. If the seller won't ship Down Under, talk to me and we'll see what we can work out.

[rocket]

Oakey, Peter Scott-Young , timber veneer specialist, 03 98708733 in Melbourne has a very large variety of veneers and burl veneers, i've had a fair bit of stuff from him, no problem buying as much or as little as you want.
Cheers,,

Rod.

[Chalks]

Thanks Oakey, Lilian and Rod. I will check out all of those contacts, very kind of you all.

And Lilian thank-you for the offer. Oakey, since this post I re-contacted one supplier that was not very interested, he said sure thing. Maybe just lip service. I am happy to do somthing joint if there is the demand, but maybe Rods man is good. I'll let you all know.

Chalks

[Oakey]

One of the best places I know for walnut, black, English and Claro, is Goby. http://www.gobywalnut.com/

You can check out Burlwood Online for buckeye burls. http://www.burlwoodonline.com/burlslabs ... bs_buckeye

Swords Walnut has some interesting stuff for time to time. http://www.swordswalnutshop.com/Special ... .htm#Burls

So does Northwest Timber. http://www.nwtimber.net/shop-all-wood-types

If you are looking for smaller stuff, eBay is your best bet. If the seller won't ship Down Under, talk to me and we'll see what we can work out.

[Oakey]

Rod thank you for the Peter Scott- Young contact. I will give him a call.

Cheers for your help.

Oakey.