Les Paul Jr timber supplier recommendations

davros · June 2020

After seeing some droolworthy threads here recently, I'm planning for my next build to be a Les Paul Junior DC build using traditional woods (mahogany body/neck, rosewood fingerboard). Can anyone recommend a decent supplier of mahogany neck and body blanks for this project?

The body needs to be jointed and thicknessed, and the neck have at least 1 totally flat surface as I don't have the equipment (or skills) to do that myself properly.

Cheers!

WezV · June 2020

https://guitarsandwoods.com/
https://shop.exotichardwoods.co.uk/
http://www.luthierssupplies.co.uk/

davros · June 2020

Thanks Wez for the super quick reply!!

Another question...any experience of Sapele vs African (Khaya) vs Honduran mahogany for building Juniors?

It sounds like Honduran is the real deal, but more expensive. Would the other 2 give a decent TV finish?

WezV · June 2020

I would go with Khaya over Sapele for an authentic junior. Khaya is generally considered close enough, and may have even been used on some original Gibson's

Sapele is a decent wood, but noticeably different

A TV finish would work fine on either

brooom · June 2020

Sapele is supposed to be denser, more stable (once properly dried) and easier to work with.

You might also want to consider Sipo (currently used by Martin), as a mahogany substitute, it seems to sit right between Khaya and Sapele and is actually the closest of the three, in terms of looks to Honduran Mahogany.

WezV · June 2020

brooom said:

Sapele is supposed to be denser, more stable and easier to work with.

it is usually denser and stiffer. Likely more stable as its easy to find big quartersawn planks. Not sure its really any easier to work with though. its harder to carve and sand, but cuts cleaner with a router.

some will tell you its brighter, some will say darker sounding. depends on the piece and your perception

I prefer a less stiff neck on a traditional style of junior... i think its part of the sound. I made a solid wenge neck one once and it was fun, but did not sound like a junior at all.