Question to all the luthiers, builders and bodgers on here

[LukeFRC]

So i've got a load of parts... and a nice neck that I bought and my wife hasn't reasoned I spent my budget twice yet...
and I've got a project in mind that is Musicman stingray or sterling shaped.

But cheaper aftermarket stingray bodies are a bit thin on the ground, so thinking I may end up building my own from a lump of wood... but where do you source bits of wood (ideally lightish ash) to build a bass body from? In yorkshire so can drive to pick up. A lot of the woodyards I've asked who do hardwoods don't seem to do the lighter weight end of ash.

Or, alternative wood, or is it better to buy a harley benton MM type thing for the body and hope it's not an boat anchor?

[TheGreek]

Check Jezz's door and shelf thread...

If you're looking for an "exotic" wood check ebay for old furniture - old table tops, shelves, sideboards, pianos....

[Jabba_the_gut]

I've bought some nice light(ish) swamp and from Tonetech before. David Dyke is another place to try. Both of these suppliers have been really helpful, especially David Dyke, even though I've only buying one of two pieces at a time. I would think both of these would look through what they have to select you a lighter weight piece. I recently bought two neck blanks from David Dyke over the phone - the two pieces that arrived were really nice and generously sized. One of the neck blanks might even be big enough to get a second neck from...

Timber yards have nice selection but might only sell you an entire board which may be 6 feet long minimum.

Or you could use a front door....

Edited March 18, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[scojack]

+1 on David Dyke.... the good thing is when your finished and your not [i]quite[/i] happy.....just build another
And so it starts

Edited March 19, 2017 by scojack

[Jabba_the_gut]

[quote name='scojack' timestamp='1489878271' post='3260577']
+1 on David Dyke.... the good thing is when your finished and your not [i]quite[/i] happy.....just build another
And so its starts
[/quote]

'And so it starts ' made me laugh out loud!!

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='scojack' timestamp='1489878271' post='3260577']
+1 on David Dyke.... the good thing is when your finished and your not [i]quite[/i] happy.....just build another
And so it starts
[/quote]
It's already started! Project is I think stage 2 - only the tuners and pickup will be in common....

thanks for your help everyone - I'll have to wait a wee bit before buying wood - firstly to have the money, and also to keep my eyes on secondhand stuff and see if something comes up. It seems a lot of places half the cost of getting a bit of wood is shipping it to me!

[Norris]

You can always make a start on the templates

[Jabba_the_gut]

Keep an eye on Freecycle or similar for unwanted wooden things or possibly pay a visit to your local recycling place. Potentially places for free or cheap wood - good to practice on if nothing else. There are also wood recycling places that have all sorts of hardwood - have a look online and see if there is one near you.

Cheers

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1489948916' post='3261033']
You can always make a start on the templates
[/quote]

Good idea - annoying thing is I've found lots of suppliers selling reasonably priced body blanks - it's just they are all in Germany !

[Rikki_Sixx]

I'm in Yorkshire too so I'd be keen to hear if you find anywhere selling suitable timber!

These guys sell reject / b-stock bodies for pretty good prices on eBay, could be worth a look: http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?sid=boobooguitarsuk

[yorks5stringer]

Try John Boddy's timberyard at Boroughbridge, huge selection of timber for all uses.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Rikki_Sixx' timestamp='1491660274' post='3274630']
I'm in Yorkshire too so I'd be keen to hear if you find anywhere selling suitable timber!

These guys sell reject / b-stock bodies for pretty good prices on eBay, could be worth a look: [url="http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?sid=boobooguitarsuk"]http://m.ebay.co.uk/...boobooguitarsuk[/url]
[/quote]
I'm going to visit the inlaws over easter down in the Peaks so ended up phoning Jon Shuker and he's sorting me out. Not the cheapest lump of wood ever he would be buying something the right kinda weight for his stuff and he's picking up a bit extra. He's also going to thickness it for me which will save me doing that!
Figured Iif I'm going to do this I might as well do it properly! Build thread incoming!

[nugget]

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1491897834' post='3276161']
Try John Boddy's timberyard at Boroughbridge, huge selection of timber for all uses.
[/quote]

They shut down a few years ago, have they opened again? It was a great place