Distinctive Timbers in Tassie

[peter.coombe]

Has any one purchased wood from this mob? I just bought some Blackwood from their ebay store and it arrived yesterday. Wow nice wood. Some of the reddest, darkest Blackwood I have ever set eyes upon, and with figure throughout, stunning stuff. Generously thicknessed to 4.5mm and cut dead spot on the quarter. I am impressed. My experience of Tasmanian wood vendors in the past has been somewhat mixed, with some expensive wood sitting in the worshop I don't know what to do with. Distinctive Timbers seem to have a much better idea of what we need. Their advertised prices are ridiculously high, but if what I received is any indication, the high prices are justified. I did manage to beat the price down by 25% by purchasing twice as much, so they are open to negotiaion and transport is free. I swallowed and gasped a few times when the quantity doubled, but now am extremely happy I coughed up. This wood is ending up in flattop mandolins, it is too narrow for a guitar, but they do have guitar sets. Average cost to me works out at around $50 per mandolin which is very acceptable.

[ozwood]

Hi Peter,

they do have some nice sets, but the prices are a bit optomistic IMHO , I'd rather buy from Tim with his more realistic pricing.

$295 for a average King Billy Top

$600 for a TM B&S set.

can't imagine they sell many.

Cheers,

[peter.coombe]

Yes I hear you, the guitar sets are on another dimension cost wise, and that is why I have never been tempted until now. I have been drooling over some of their wood for a while, but the prices have quickly killed the temptation. I ran out of Blackwood suitable for my flattop mandolins and saw this stuff and though I would give it a go. Looked good in the pictures and it certainly is good stuff, and there is enough wood there for at least 12 mandolins so will last a while. Is by far the most expensive Blackwood I have bought based on a cost per cubic metre, but at around $50 a mandolin set for this sort of quality I'm not complaining. I also don't need to resaw it. Resawing involves my labour, probably a blunt bandsaw blade, and inevidably some wastage. I have bought from Tim, but guitar sets are not really suitable since I can only get 2 mandolins from a guitar set, and that is a bit of a waste and works out more expensive.

[demonx]

I recently bought a burl for good money from another Tasmanian seller on eBay, not the distinctive timbers.
It was advertised as well seasoned for many years.

When it arrived it was damp. Overnight it fell apart with all the moisture escaping. Its firewood. Completely un usable.

The next day I questioned the seller on how it was stored and he said it was stored in his backyard.

A conversation followed where I explained that seasoned means the timber is dry and that his ad was misleading.

His response was the timber was dried/seasoned by his supplier and that he the seller then stores all his timber in the outdoors in his backyard and it will be fine after a day or so.

I replied back explaining that if timber is dried, then takes on more than 20% moisture again then it simply rots and falls apart which was the case with this burl I bought.

Basically it came down to buyer beware, me loosing money and learning not to buy timber from eBay.

[peter.coombe]

Sounds like that guy has no idea what he is doing, just trying to make some money on ebay. Hope you put in some negative feedback. That has not been my experience. I was also very wary of buying off ebay, but got desperate and so far have bought 2 lots of timber off ebay and have been extremely happy both times. The other supplier I was happy with was Misan Craftwood. Both have ebay stores. The wood arrived dry and exceeded my expectations both times, and I would be happy to buy from either of these suppliers again. However, I have been very selective and look at the pictures extremely carefully. Some of the pictures are not all that clear, so they get the flick. Having been disappointed with some other Tassie vendors in the past, I hate buying wood unseen, but out here in the sticks there is not much choice. Ironically Blackwood grows native around here, but the woodchippers have cut down all the big trees. We have been planting Blackwood trees on our 2acre block. Probably when I am dead some one will cut them down for firewood (groan).

[DarwinStrings]

.

$295 for a average King Billy Top

Wow! are you sure that is "average" Paul, maybe it is their Master master master grade. I know King Billy is rare but you would really have to have your heart set on building with it to buy a top at that price even if you could knock 33% off.

Jim

[ozwood]

Hi Jim,

I'm more partial to KBP than most , but I also put in perspective, for that sort of money I could by a small pile of engleman or sitka , couple of sets of red spruce or a bloody nice set of euro, all more suitable for tops than KBP , so yes I will buy KBP for around the $75 mark after that I'm spending my money on spruce or cedar.

Peter is correct, in that they have really nice beautifully preped set's , but so does Tim, Woodrat , Christian and a few others that peddle their wares on the forum , but their prices exist in the real world I don't know if they have read the thread or it's a co incidence , but it seems their prices have dropped in the last week and are now open to offers, so we will see if they are serious about getting a bit of turnover from thier lutherie products.

Cheers,

[Allen]

I've noticed that there are a lot of new players on eBay peddling their wares to "Luthiers". And prices and their grading have gone bonkers. So, since when did something become 5A or 7A? And the prices are truly for the ill informed. I say leave them alone. Sooner or later they will be brought back to reality. In the mean time, my stash has just had an exponential appreciation in value. Super Funds should be so lucky.

[Tod Gilding]

I've noticed that there are a lot of new players on eBay peddling their wares to "Luthiers". And prices and their grading have gone bonkers. So, since when did something become 5A or 7A? And the prices are truly for the ill informed. I say leave them alone. Sooner or later they will be brought back to reality. In the mean time, my stash has just had an exponential appreciation in value. Super Funds should be so lucky.

+1 Fuc k these idiots we should teach them a lesson and never buy from them.

[peter.coombe]

Steady on guys, we all know ebay is buyer beware, and sellers will get what the market will bear. There are almost certainly some dodgy suppliers, but also some legitimate and labelling them all with the same brush is not helpful. As far as prices are concerned, I think the Tasmanian suppliers have a firm eye on the USA market and price their product accordingly. The high prices look way out of line to us who are used to getting cheap native timbers, but in the global market they are not. Americans have discovered Australian woods, and are prepared to pay high prices for what to them are spectacular and exotic woods. Have a look at the prices LMI are asking for Sassafras and unfigured Blackwood, and the prices US guitar makers are willing to pay for Tiger Myrtle is eye watering. It is a global market, and who can blame the Tassie suppliers for trying to sell to the US at USA prices. As far as King Billy is concerned I have no idea what US makers are willing to pay, but my stash is looking like a spectacularly good investment. I know at least one Tassie supplier (who shall remain nameless) thinks we are a bunch of cheapskates, and the way this thread is heading would only be conformation for him.

[Tod Gilding]

Are You Serious Peter ? I would suggest that you re read your post .

[ozwood]

Peter,

The market wil bare what it will bare, regardless of wheather a Tassie supplier thinks I'm a tight arse or not I'm not going to pay double the going price for a set, if I can get a similar set elseware , if they can get those prices from O/S consumers more power to them I say.

As for king Billy, it has a certain charm in a small bodied guitar IMHO, but the numbers don't add up and most spruces and WRC are a better proposition so I for one , (again regardless of Tassie timber suppliers opinions) won't pay the same price as a premium set of spruce, also it's not a viable alternative top material in the long term as supply is so limited.

again if they are finding people who are happy to pay it, happy days no skin of my nose !

I was simply making the observation that in an Apple for Apple comparison, Distinctive timbers are expensive, I had not considered the American market !

Cheers,

[peter.coombe]

I am well aware of how Luthiers are being targeted by the rip off merchants, and I personally don't agree with the unmentioned Tassie supplier. Probably should not have mentioned that.

This seems to have drifted way off topic. I asked a specific question. The answer appears to be no because the guitar sets are way too expensive. Fair enough, but I don't want guitar sets. Maybe that should be the end of the matter.

[Tod Gilding]

I am well aware of how Luthiers are being targeted by the rip off merchants, and I personally don't agree with the unmentioned Tassie supplier. Probably should not have mentioned that.

This seems to have drifted way off topic. I asked a specific question. The answer appears to be no because the guitar sets are way too expensive. Fair enough, but I don't want guitar sets. Maybe that should be the end of the matter.

Sorry Pete, But that didn't seem to be the way it came across.

[Ormsby Guitars]

Ahhh, the unmentioned Tassie Supplier (TS for short).

That guy quoted me $280 for highly figured "best of the best" Tassie Blackwood carve top caps. I saw the pics, and ask if there wasnt something a bit nicer... "Sure, here they are, $380 a set". Hmm, didnt look as nice.

"You got anything REALLY nice, these are for anniversary models, they need to be SPECTACULAR".
"Oh, you want spectacular, well, those are $480 a set" (pics sent where of the original set)
"They are the billets you showed me that were $280!"
"Oops, sorry, here are some for $580" (sends through second photo that was $380 originally)

He then proceed to use my name to "endorse" his quality, and posted all over the place that he was my "main supplier"

So I emailed a local guy. Linked him to previous sets he'd sold, explained what I was planning, and asked for ten sets if possible over the next six months and was even happy to pay a little more to ensure they were excellent pieces. He proceeded to "school me" on how it would be a waste to use his timber for guitars "if you dont know what you are doing, and are just mucking around". Was quite a long email informing me he doesn't like dealing with people who are only building their first instrument, as I'd definitely ruin it, and that would be a waste of timber. Scratch him off the list too... and from conversations over the years, it seems Im not the only one that has experienced this.

So, it's back to just importing US timbers

[kiwigeo]

So I emailed a local guy most of you seem to rave about. Linked him to previous sets he'd sold, explained what I was planning, and asked for ten sets if possible over the next six months and was even happy to pay a little more to ensure they were excellent pieces. He proceeded to "school me" on how it would be a waste to use his timber for guitars "if you dont know what you are doing, and are just mucking around". Was quite a long email informing me he doesn't like dealing with people who are only building their first instrument, as I'd definitely ruin it, and that would be a waste of timber. Scratch him off the list too... and from conversations over the years, it seems Im not the only one that has experienced this.

I wouldnt get too disheartened Perry, even if he doesn't like you......he still would have charged you a fair price for the wood.

[needsmorecowbel]

Seems like the dealer in question isn't getting much repeat business...

[jeffhigh]

I'm Building with a set of TM from Distinctive Timbers at the moment
I paid under $200 for it about 8 months ago, but I did have to resaw the sides from a 7.5mm board

I am not tempted at $600

It is really not helpful to refer to vendors by anything but name, the use of vague descriptions casts aspersions on many others.
If you don't want to name names, don't say it

[peter.coombe]

Thank you Jeff.

Peter

[Ormsby Guitars]

I'm Building with a set of TM from Distinctive Timbers at the moment
I paid under $200 for it about 8 months ago, but I did have to resaw the sides from a 7.5mm board

I am not tempted at $600

It is really not helpful to refer to vendors by anything but name, the use of vague descriptions casts aspersions on many others.
If you don't want to name names, don't say it

Tasmanian Tonewoods, and Tim Spittle. There you go

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. But I cant run a business dealing with suppliers that fluctuate pricing from email to email. Or "this IS the best we have (unless you ask again, then we have some better stuff)". And I certainly don't appreciate a supplier using my name as a 'stamp of approval' when Ive never had the opportunity to deal with them.

Of course, I didnt get that with Tim. But he did come out the gate ranting and raving about how precious his timber was, and how it would be 'wasted'. Maybe he had a bad day. We all do from time to time. But that's when it's best to step away from work, and avoid upsetting a potential transaction that could be the start of a long term repeat business (and many referrals).

[charangohabsburg]

Was quite a long email informing me he doesn't like dealing with people who are only building their first instrument, as I'd definitely ruin it, and that would be a waste of timber.

So you told him you were a beginner, respectively did not tell him you were not a beginner?

[needsmorecowbel]

There are so many campfire stories around regarding tonewood and tonewood vendors...Personally I don't see the point of it (just seems like a massive waste of energy and time). If someone sells me crap wood or has sub standard service I generally will try to avoid going out of my way to post about it in a public manner.
The negativity that I am publically conveying towards that person/ their service/ their reputation/ timber reflects directly back to me as the one who bought it in the first place and who posted about it. I'd rather just say to myself "cross that guy/girl off the list" or "lesson learned" as the negativity conveyed by posting about it publically swings both ways and indirectly I can end up sullying my own name by indirectly/directly/intentionally/unintentionally attempting to sully their product.
At the very least I'm not doing myself any favours and I could end up just making myself look like I'm on a terribly scripted episode of A Current Affair.

We could harness all of the negativity from all of the wood transactions that have gone wrong in our collective experience as makers of stringed objects and make a "Blacklist" and post it all over the stringed instrument making forums but in turn we've just wasted time that we could be spent doing/ making something positive or meaningful.

Sorry A Current Affair, I shouldn't have brought you into this.

Stu

[ozwood]

Hi Stu,

I agree with a lot of what you say , but it's nice to get the heads up and not have to suffer a $800 lesson , but I guess that could be done in a posative note , as it is on this forum , Bob has a list of prefered vendors , and if I were to have a negative experiance with them , I'd send Bob or Kim a PM and let them know , enough of the same feedback and I imagine they would loose that status.

I don't think anyone was questioning the quality , integrity or ethics of Distinctive Timbers , there is nothing at all wrong with trying to get a premium price for your goods , as I said the market will decide , I am inclined to agree with Peter the topic has come along way from Peter's original post of

Has any one purchased wood from this mob? I just bought some Blackwood from their ebay store and it arrived yesterday. Wow nice wood. Some of the reddest, darkest Blackwood I have ever set eyes upon, and with figure throughout, stunning stuff. Generously thicknessed to 4.5mm and cut dead spot on the quarter.

and my reply of

they do have some nice sets, but the prices are a bit optomistic IMHO

I guess I often just dip a toe in, the first time I deal with someone and see what happens to lessen the financial jeopardy, I have done that just recently with a new supplier , and .... well I'm pleased I did not go in balls and all............. it's turned into a turd farm.

PM me if you would like a heads up

anyway so endith my rant!

cheers,

[needsmorecowbel]

I agree with what you are saying Paul I'm not saying everyone has to learn an $800 lesson but I guess my main point is it seems far better etiquette for that heads up to come in a less "public" place. I know PMs work well. I've been warned off certain things a few times...

[peter.coombe]

I have no problem buying expensive timber. I want the best, and Im prepared to pay for it.

+ 1 on that. So, I pulled the trigger again with Distinctive Timbers. This time a small purchase of 4 pieces of F/B Blackwood that I have been drooling over for a while. Without asking, they sent me half a dozen pictures of the wood and a detailed explanation of a defect in one of the boards. So I have an endgrain picture and several pictures of the defect which I am pretty sure I can work around. Time is money, and to take the trouble to take additrional pictures and description of a defect to sell something for less than $150 (transport costs are included) is something I appreciate and will pay for. I would rather be certain I am getting what I require than taking pot luck.

I have a lump of Blackwood sitting right by the front door of the workshop. Pretty, nice colour, dimensions are right, problem is it is rift sawn and full of voids from what looks like from small dead branches. Might get a few mandolin sides from it, but that is about it. When it arrived from the Tassie vendor I was about to send it back, but after looking at the picture more carefully, there were the voids plain to see. My fault, so I wear it and let it be a lesson never to buy wood like that again. This time there was no mention of the voids, nor that it was rift sawn. I am not about to bag the vendor because it was really my fault, but he is not the only one out there.

You guys making guitars have a lot of choice. All tonewood vendors offer guitar sets, so you can shop around for a better deal. Guitar sets are too big and too expensive for me, and Uke sets are invariably too small, so when I see something suitable I buy. Long gone are the days of waltzing into the wood yard, rummage through the Blackwood stack and find a 6x2" x 3m of quarter sawn Blackwood with some fiddleback with a pricetag of less than $200. Thick pieces of quarter sawn F/B Blackwood that I need for arch top mandolins is just about impossible to find nowadays. Fortunately the stash is still big enough to last me a while, and thanks be to God I do have a stash.