Where to get a figured top?

axisus

I want to get some kind of nice looking top to put on a guitar body. Not too thick but not ultra thin either. Best place to look?

WezV

What are you after?

Figured maple or more exotic?

David Dyke is the safe answer, but also worth asking Prime timbers for fancy maple or walnut.

Don't rely on websites - often best to visit or call.

axisus

WezV said:

What are you after?

Figured maple or more exotic?

David Dyke is the safe answer, but also worth asking Prime timbers for fancy maple or walnut.

Don't rely on websites - often best to visit or call.

Thanks. Not sure what I want really, I'm covering all the pickup cavities, and I'm probably going to have a trans finish, so just something 'nice' looking that won't cost an arm and a leg (in case I bugger it up!)

JohnB

I bought a cheap (£50ish)  light figured maple cap from http://www.exotichardwoodsukltd.com/ - its OK but will need a bit of work before use.  Unfortunately most of the really nice figured ones do cost an arm and a leg (more than £100) and like you I am not confident I wont bugger it up..

What about using a plain top and a veneer ( I have found sycamore veneer easy to use and pretty - but wenge is a pain, wont be using that again ).

GuitarMonkey

Another vote for David Dyke.

WezV

something cheap but interesting?

http://www.primetimber.co.uk/products/?id=312

Andy's are sawn - but he uses very good blades & saw.   They take very little clean up to be usable, can be sanded of scraped smooth in minutes

WezV

JohnB said:

I bought a cheap (£50ish)  light figured maple cap from http://www.exotichardwoodsukltd.com/ - its OK but will need a bit of work before use.  Unfortunately most of the really nice figured ones do cost an arm and a leg (more than £100) and like you I am not confident I wont bugger it up..

Might have to visit there at some point - looks quite a lot liek the stuff craft supplies used to supply.   good wood and good choice but it often did need a fair bit of prep

JohnB

WezV said:

something cheap but interesting?

http://www.primetimber.co.uk/products/?id=312

Andy's are sawn - but he uses very good blades & saw.   They take very little clean up to be usable, can be sanded of scraped smooth in minutes

@axisus - if this isn't what you are after, I might go for it - for a hollowbody I am scheming at present

TTony

axisus said:

I want to get some kind of nice looking top to put on a guitar body. Not too thick but not ultra thin either. Best place to look?

Thick enough to carve, or will it be a flat top?

axisus

JohnB said:

WezV said:

something cheap but interesting?

http://www.primetimber.co.uk/products/?id=312

Andy's are sawn - but he uses very good blades & saw.   They take very little clean up to be usable, can be sanded of scraped smooth in minutes

@axisus - if this isn't what you are after, I might go for it - for a hollowbody I am scheming at present

Don't let me stop you, I'm very early in the process right now.

axisus

TTony said:

axisus said:

I want to get some kind of nice looking top to put on a guitar body. Not too thick but not ultra thin either. Best place to look?

Thick enough to carve, or will it be a flat top?

flat.