Distinctive Timbers in Tassie

[nnickusa]

I've been lookin at Distinctive Timbers for a while, and have bought a chunk off them. I was perfectly happy with them. I've also bought from Misancraftwood. Both off eBay. Both big pieces needing resawing, but both nice chunks of wood.

I wouldn't pay for the DT guitar sets. They look insanely dear, but as has been mentioned, the market will decide.

Lately, most of the timber vendors on eBay seem to be getting more and more expensive. Relative scarcity or market manipulating? Don't know. Happily I already have more timber than I'll likely need....

I do keep watching, tho......I like to watch

[kiwigeo]

I have no problem buying expensive timber. I want the best, and Im prepared to pay for it. In the last month Ive spent between $300 and $750 on single neck blanks, and $500+ for tops. Just shy of $40k this year with more to come..

I'm impressed

[jeffhigh]

I'm reminded of the old New York Cloth merchant to his customer fondling a bolt of Tweed
"never mind the quality, feel the width"

Acoustic Guitar guys in particular are stuck with needing 200mm plus

I'm envious of Peter being able to use much smaller stock.

[peter.coombe]

Lately, most of the timber vendors on eBay seem to be getting more and more expensive. Relative scarcity or market manipulating? Don't know.

Yes, and the auctioned pieces go high as well, and that is basically what the market will bear. I bid on a few items, but missed out every time becasue it went way over what I thought the wood was worth. Probably just as well I missed out since you don't know who is selling. When the price doubles in the last 5 secs it is insane. I am not getting involved in that again.

[demonx]

He proceeded to "school me" on how it would be a waste to use his timber for guitars

This is bizarre, I was just told this yesterday when calling a supplier in WA who I was told is Australia's biggest ebony importer and I was calling to enquire about neck blanks

I was told in a very arrogant and opinionated voice that electric guitars are a waste of rare timber and the rare timber should be cut into fingerboards and not wasted

What an idiot! I feel the same way when I see nice chunks of timber cut into acoustic back and sides, but as a vendor your job is to sell, not insult your customer and I don't go around telling acoustic builders they're wasting all the worlds resources!

He declined to sell me ebony but offered rosewood as a substitute. It's the second time I've called this guy for ebony and the second time I've hung up the phone thinking never again. The first time he got all "big" and was telling me that what I was asking for doesn't exist. When I told him I've held it in my own hands before thus it does exist he insisted I'm a liar!

Great customer service.

On Perry's comment, I've never had these issues with Tim Spittle and ive ordered there multiple times.

[needsmorecowbel]

Allan, if you really need it you could get a mate to sling him an email and make out in the email that he wants ebony for acoustic guitar making. You might miss out on being able to put your ABN on the invoice but you'll probably get the wood if you are really in need of it. If the guy asks for proof of acoustic guitar making then just sling him a picture of a random guitar, show him a fake ID for acoustic guitar making, or flip him off entirely for making you jump through hoops...

Stu

[nnickusa]

Wow, that kind of attitude surely can't be good for business. What the hell do the sellers care what the end use is? All they want to do is make their margin. Jeez, talk about high handed....makes you wonder how they actually make a living.

I, too, have bought from Tim, as well as Graeme Naughton, and have had great results all round. Greame, in particular had a nice chat with me and found out what i wanted and I ended up getting the right stuff....

[martintaylor]

+1 on Graham Naughton from Loggerheads. He's always been easy to talk to and has always supplied beyond my expectations.

[56nortondomy]

Graham and Tim are great. Allan give AFT a try they're in Port Melb and they might have some ebony, ( pricey i suspect ) Wayne


http://www.afttimbers.com/productsindex2.htm

[demonx]

Graham and Tim are great. Allan give AFT a try they're in Port Melb and they might have some ebony, ( pricey i suspect ) Wayne


http://www.afttimbers.com/productsindex2.htm

I was at AFT recently and bought pretty much everything decent they had on site.

They don't buy ebony anymore as they say it's too expensive and hard to sell, the only bits they had were veneer thickness and falling apart. I passed on it.