www.KitGuitarsForum.com

Hello! Anyone who has been building for more than a year or so is probably noticing that prices have skyrocketed and continue to do so across the board for everything we need from materials, tools, and parts. I am just floored every time I go to order something. I build a lot of guitars for "cost of materials" for friends and family and what used to be about $500-$650 is now $850-$1000 (with case and tuning machines.) Even my favorite discount supplier prices have shot up and FORGET trying to scoop up deals on Ebay, especially parts directly from overseas suppliers. Those import taxes and fees are murder.

I'm not here to complain but to start a thread for everyone to chime in on where you are sourcing your materials from these days and to hear your experiences. I have no issues with paying top dollar for things from quality suppliers especially ones I that I am loyal to and want to support like Blues Creek Guitars. I know John would never gouge us and even if his stuff can sometimes be expensive, I trust that it's just what it takes to get high quality with great service.

Here's what I'm down to with suppliers pretty much

Blue Creek Guitars (glue, fixtures, purfling, backstrips, etc.)
Exotic Wood Zone (back and sides, fretboards, bridge blanks)
Northwest Lumber (my local hardwood lumber shop. Mahogany and misc hardwoods)
RC Tonewoods (tops)
Stewmac (parts)
Schaller tuners (plus $$$ import taxes and shipper fees)

I had a few fantastic private suppliers that I used regularly but they all seemed to retire and close up so the above is pretty much what I'm left with. Who else you got?

https://bitterrootguitars.com/. I've bought truss rods and bone nuts and saddles from him. There are some oversized ones that I needed that were not found elsewhere.
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/. Got some Gotoh tuners.
Amazon. Mohawk nitro lacquer, parts for my old bandsaw. Musiclily tortoise shell binding.
aaronhixguitars.com for backs and sides.

philadelphia luthiers https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/
Industrial abrasives for sandpaper

+1 on Bitterroot and Philadelphia Luthier supplies.
StewMac if you have to.
JJB electronics for K&K-style pickups.

LMI.
May they rest in peace 😪

I've purchased from many different ones, but pretty much rely on Stewmac these days to fill in the gaps for what comes up.

I do use Amazon for things like pick guards and Ebay for bone nuts and saddles

https://www.mcmaster.com
It's an industrial supplier, not anything to do with luthiery, but they have EVERYTHING. The range of what they sell is truly mind-boggling. There is no minimum order. You probably won't find much occasion to order from them, but if you need some latches or left-hand drills or a motor controller or some hypodermic tubing, they will likely have it. The price may be a bit high...but they will have it. Shipping is quite fast (UPS). I don't think think they ship to foreign addresses, which is a bummer for Canadians.

This is a great thread. I'm on the other side of an increasingly evident border so have to work harder to find Canadian suppliers. Edco Fine Woods has a limited inventory but it changes regularly, also other lutherie supplies. Cascadia (formerly Bow River) seems to be carrying less for luthiers, but sometimes surprises. Solo Guitars is good for hardware and tools, including many that are copies of SM tools (or the same thing with a different name on it) at better prices. Japarts is good for Japanese parts and Gotoh tuners but everything is ordered in and can be slow. Timeless Instruments has an eclectic selection of sometimes hard-to-find stuff. We've been fortunate to get tops directly from a local supplier, and there are other forest-to-you companies. Some hardwood suppliers cater to luthiers but can be expensive. One problem is that not many provide images of the wood you might want to buy, but some will send images if you contact them. Bruce W.

Here's all the links from the replies above in no particular order. I'll see if we can collect some more then I'll categorize them for us. This has been super helpful, thanks everyone your replies!

Ps. If you are supplier reading this, let us know what we are missing out on!

bluescreekguitars.com
exoticwoodzone.com
rctonewoods.com
stewmac.com
schaller.info
bitterootguitars.com
philadelphialuthiertools.com
industrialabrasives.com
jjb-electronics.com
mohawkproducts.com
musiclily.com
aaronhixguitars.com
amazon.com
ebay.com
mcmaster.com
edcofinewoods.com
cascadiacanada.com
solomusicgear.com
japarts.ca
timelessinstruments.com

Just to add to the list.
If you need some high quality luthier supplies I would take a look at Allied Lutherie.
https://alliedlutherie.com/?srsltid=Afm ... 4WJGeP5N-3
High quality but expensive.
Use them when I need high quality ebony bindings, fret board material etc.

Now that LMI is no longer around, International Violin has been stocking more in the way of guitar parts and such. They're a family-owned business that's been around a long time, and I've been very happy with their service.

https://www.internationalviolin.com/