#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Where do the Canucks source their woods?

Hi folks,

I am looking to step up my game a bit and have started integrating a separate fretboard into my last three builds. It has helped immensely to straighten the neck and it also improves the action at the same time. Win-Win!!

But... finding appropriate woods is not all that easy, even in Toronto. Or maybe I am not looking in the right places. So I thought I'd ask.

So far I have been using 0.25" x 1.5" oak boards from Home Depot; these definitely work but the grain is a bit loose and I would like to explore other options if possible.

I have a tablesaw and a belt sander but I'd rather work with finished woods if possible so as to keep the build time reasonable. I am hoping to build up some inventory over the winter and take a bunch of these to some festivals over the summer, I think they'd be popular, and I have fun building them as well.

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marcus Darwell on December 16, 2013 at 3:19am

Not sure where u are but Card's lumber in Kingston has every exotIc wood you could want and they will plane it down to 1/4 with a nice smooth finish. I used some Mexican ebony for my bass fretboard and it is really nice.

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on December 19, 2013 at 2:17pm

I've used oak for a fingerboard and am about to try poplar. My rational was, it is a hardwood, not as hard as maple, but I don't plan of smacking the CBG around. From Lowes oddly enough both times. Sourcing oak or maple for the body is a chore. Scoured Lowes and Home Depot for an acceptable piece - only one piece of oak qualified. About to try undressed wood suppliers in the Toronto area after I've used up my current supply - I would really like to try maple for the body.

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on December 19, 2013 at 3:20pm

heck , .. folks have used pine as a fretboard .. i do too . (fretless) .

and MANY folks use poplar as a neck itself , fully fretted ,, or with an added f board .

or as a fretboard itself.

anyone telling you that poplar is crap, or that it willl warp, .. either has a bad piece or is trying to justify their overpriced oak / maple guitar selling price .

i've actually heard more horrror stories about oak warping .

Permalink Reply by Greg Potts on January 22, 2014 at 2:52pm

My oak 1x2 necks with frets (but no fretboard) warp like crazy. Since I started putting fretboards on them the action is a LOT nicer.

Permalink Reply by Michael J. Charland on December 23, 2013 at 6:47pm

Lee Valley also carries exotic woods, Padouk, Purpleheart, Zebrawood...

Permalink Reply by Greg Potts on December 27, 2013 at 5:08am

I have a Lee Valley warehouse within 1Km of my home. They do carry a selection of exotic woods but not in convenient sizes, and OMG the prices.

I do buy a lot of hardware there though: miter saw, fret saw, coping saw, brass screws, sanding belts... They certainly sell a lot of really nice gear at not-too-unreasonable prices...

Permalink Reply by Greg Potts on December 27, 2013 at 7:41am

Another data point from this discussion: I've totally exhausted the local Home Depot and Lowes of any reasonably straight hardwood 1x2's in their inventory.

Luckily, I picked up an old church pew from a local 100+ YO church near my brother's house. I am pretty sure it will contribute some nice necks once I get it milled down to size.

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on December 27, 2013 at 7:47am

yum yum

Permalink Reply by David McQueen on December 27, 2013 at 8:20am

Yeh. I go into lowes from time just to check and if I see something pick it up. The turn over is slow though. I'm even looking at larger boards to saw down and plane.

Permalink Reply by Greg Potts on February 8, 2014 at 9:04am

...and this tale comes with a nice ending. I took the Bezdez rosewood to work with me and gave it to my boss to run through his planer, since I don't have one. (in his spare time he is a cabinetmaker, so his shop is quite well equipped.) In discussion, it came out that he has a pretty good sized scrap wood pile, and the next day he brought me enough 0.25" x 1.5" wood to make at least a dozen fretboards. He brought me some Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Padauk and lacewood. Now I am all set!

Attachments: