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#2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 8:38 am
by Slowpicker
After successfully building a 000-28 kit from Blues Creek Guitars, I tried my hand at a scratch build. I copied most dimension from an Alvarez dread I have, and took some liberties here and there. I found a set of walnut sides/back in LMI’s discount bin a few years ago. The light stripe must have been a turn off, but I dug it. It took me 2 years to finish, with a house move and new workshop in between, but I’m pretty pleased with how it went.

I think a set of matching 00-28s are next on the list. Does anyone have a good source for plans?
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Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 1:33 pm
by Kevin Sjostrand
Very nice looking guitar. I Like the figure down the back center.

Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 8:09 pm
by Stray Feathers
I'd be happy to find wood like that! And you did a nice job. For a 00 try the free plans from Grellier. I just sold the first one I made, with a 00 body but with a 12 fret neck. Thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=10027

Someone else liked it so much she asked me to make one for her too, so I have started that, plus another so that I have one to show people, but with different woods - Yellow Cedar top and Black Walnut. Bruce W.

Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 10:13 pm
by Kevin Sjostrand
Bruce
Where do you find yellow cedar tops?

Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2026 12:07 pm
by Stray Feathers
Kevin, this wood was given to me by a luthier friend who salvaged a beach log years ago and cut some tonewood from it. It was actually long enough for sides but I only wanted the top so did that with it. There is lots of Yellow Cedar available on Vancouver Island, but not many people are cutting it for tonewood, so you might have to ask. You can try this person, a friend of a friend, who has started selling tonewood, and I heard that he had access to some good old cedar (not currently listed). If you don't get anywhere I can ask my friend to ask his friend what's available:

https://islandguitarbuilders.ca

Timeless Instruments in Saskatchewan currently has some nice looking Yellow Cedar tops listed. He's a very experienced luthier so knows his wood:

https://www.timelessinstruments.com/con ... ress).html

There are also a number of companies cutting tonewood but I don't know whether they will sell on a retail basis, and you might not find photos of what you are buying. Search "Yellow Cedar Tonewood BC" for example. I also saw one supplier in the US (Oregon Wild Wood) but the prices were very high. And it may be easier for you to buy from Alaska. Bruce.

Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2026 12:11 pm
by Stray Feathers
Too many URLs for one post -

I also use Edco Fine Woods a lot but his listings are limited and move quickly so you have to check regularly (no Yellow Cedar currently):

https://www.edcofinewoods.ca

Bruce

Re: #2 - Walnut Dread

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 6:40 pm
by RHayes
Stellar looking guitar!