2nd Build Planning - wood for braces?

[jrc127]

Before I really dive into the next build I need to rearrange my shop, but first have to finish my music room so I have a place to move my guitars (shop dust and guitars don't mix). My next build will be a 000 size for sure, but that's all I'm sure of. But to keep my hand in the game, I thought I would make the braces from scratch.

Where do I get a nice billet of spruce? Can I get instrument grade Sitka spruce at the local lumber yard? there are some furniture grade suppliers nearby - Groff and Groff, Hearne, Middletown Lumber here in eastern PA, should I start there? I like the idea of picking it out and buying locally and in person, but I've never bought anything more exotic at a yard than pressure treated lumber for my kid's swingset and the fence around my yard. Is mail order the way to go? I'd like to buy a billet large enough to get 2 or more sets of braces, if that makes sense. What can I expect to pay?

Thanks

James

[RnB]

Other than Tippie, I've bought Adi bracewood from Steve at Colonial Tonewoods & RC Tonewood (the zootman) has a good variety of spruces. Online mail-ordering always works for me...! Don't know about larger billets though?


http://rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store/index. ... o34qiaru07

[JVan]

I picked up some Sitka from a local supplier here in Indiana, they had Sitka boards that measured 7/8"t x 8''w x 60" long . They had several like this but only one board was quartersawn, that is the one I got. I believe I paid like $20-$30 for it and got quite a few braces out of it, enough for a 3-4 guitars. If you can't find any like that at local stores then mail order is great way to go. (Blues Creek, RC Tonewoods)

[tippie53]

call me James

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Why would he want to call you James, when your name is John? Just don't call him Shirley!

Kevin

[RnB]

Why would he want to call you James, when your name is John? Just don't call him Shirley!

lol...!

[tippie53]

Call me anything but later for dinner LOL

[jrc127]

LOL,

John, I'll call you later this afternoon. I found out Rick and I are neighbors. We live on the same street about two blocks apart! Who'd a thunk it!

[JRHall]

Here's an unusual source for spruce.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/w ... spruce.php

I've bought a couple of these bargain bags, and have had pretty good luck.