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Exchanging info on sources of materials etc.

One of the things I thought we could do with this group is exchange information on sources of materials etc. I am a fairly recent convert to the world of CBGs so my experience is limited, but I'm sure we all have information that can help others. Even sharing experienced with components.

So, to kick things off:

Maplins. In almost every town that I know of. I have used their piezos, 1/4" jack output sockets and volume pots. For these they are cheaper than the best on eBay and comparing quality they seem better. I got an output jack from eBay and the tread was very badly formed to the extent that the nut didn't fit properly. They replaced it but the replacement wasn't great. The ones from Maplins have well cut threads and seem fine. Volume pots are also cheaper. I have compared the piezos with some other ones popular with the CBG makers and prefer the Maplin ones by a small margin. Again, they are cheaper.

For tools and consumables Wilkinsons is good. Sand paper, steel wool, Danish Oil. All very cheap there. I got allen keys on a large keyring type thing which I think were 99p per set (could be wrong on that, but cheap anyway). So far the fit seems fine and they are strong enough. I got a set in imperial and in metric.

Just a thought that I had the other day, and someone may be able to confirm or squash this. Finding cigar boxes. Some clubs (golf clubs, cricket clubs, gentlemen's clubs) sell cigars. What do they do with the boxes? This has only just occurred to me but I wonder if anyone else has tried this as a source and did it pay off.

OK. That's all I have at the moment.

Tags: exchanging, info, information, materials, sources

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sleepy John on January 29, 2012 at 12:44pm

I know they're not cigar boxes, but the large rectangular biscuit tins around at xmas make a great body, almost a built in resonator. Just need to find a neck , ah well off to find a skip!

Permalink Reply by steve chunk hales on January 29, 2012 at 1:24pm

damn, i love a good skip.

Permalink Reply by jabes on June 7, 2012 at 2:35pm

oooh, not been many posts on this one for a while, .hello out there.... o.k i need to find a DPDT ON_ON_ON toggle switch , well 2 actually. maplins can't help but everyone says that's what i need to wire this humbucker... HELP.

btw ,love this site and sse you at boxstock 2012

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on June 8, 2012 at 7:48pm

When I needed some switches I found the easiest and cheapest place seemed to be eBay. Of course it means getting them from China in most cases so there is a bit of a delay, but that seemed to be the solution. I don't know about RS. Have you looked in their catalogue? I also found these through a Google search:

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=1550117&CMP=e-...

Hope you find what you are looking for.

All the best.

John

Permalink Reply by jabes on June 9, 2012 at 5:45am

farnell- they run CPC i think i'll give them a go ..

thanks J

Permalink Reply by jabes on June 10, 2012 at 1:00pm

ah Warman guitars have just the very thing, £2.99 +£1 postage

thanks for looking

Permalink Reply by jabes on June 18, 2012 at 5:39pm

john, some time ago you suggested Touchstone Tonewoods as a source for fretwire. i ordered 5 mts and when that was gone i ordered some more. This time they sent the wire,but also 2 pieces or cedar 1/8" thick x 12" x 9" ,they look like offcuts, i ain't complaining but d'you think they might have Googled me to see what i'm doing . i got my mrs to google me and some photos and activity on the nation is there...??

Permalink Reply by Sleepy John on July 3, 2012 at 11:30am

Anyone have any suppliers for scratchplate material...I've found some at around £12 for a 315x240mm piece,incl postage, but can't find any more,so don't know if this is a fair price.

Also are there any alternatives, as I much prefer reusing than using new.

Permalink Reply by Michael Baker on October 13, 2012 at 5:44am