Made in America of American components

[jcgss77]

Ok, I don't ever recall anyone speaking about this, so here it goes.

I am inspired to build a 7 string guitar, of all American woods, and American made hardware which consist of American made materials. I am not a die-hard patriot, just want to keep the money here.

It is only currently in the planning stages, so it won't be complete anytime soon. Oh, and when I say planning stages, I mean begging my wife to let me spend the money on it.

The wood is easy enough, I am pretty much decided on cherry for the body and pacific yew for the neck. The problem is where in this country is the hardware which qualifies under my previously mentioned parameters? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[cynical1]

Well, I commend your sentiment. Like you said, the wood part is easy...the hardware may be a different matter.

So many manufacturers job out parts to other countries, or buy from vendors that do the same thing. Sadly, everyone talks about buying American...but no one wants to pay for it.

I like the cherywood idea. Somewhere around here there was a discussion about building an upright electric bass, and one of the links led off to a builder who uses cherry for the tops.

Pacific yew for the neck, eh... Well, it does appear to have a Janka hardness of 1150...very similar to certain maples. Maple is a native wood...and Sugar Maple has a Janka hardness around 1450. I am always concerned about the stress of the seven strings on a guitar neck...and still shaping the neck to make it playable.

Whatever you get, see if you can get a quarter sawn piece for the neck. And don't forget about the 7 string truss rod. Yes, they exist, and you'll be happy you spent the extra coin and time finding it later.

Let me look around a bit and see what I can find for hardware components made in the USA. Sadly, even if you do find someone, odds are the raw metal is from overseas anyway...

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[Yew]

Do you mean made in USA, or made In the american continents?

[cynical1]

I meant Made in the USA...what did you mean?

[Yew]

Im was thinking that american continents could be much easier, But i understand the appeal of an all usa, one day i might make an all british guitar... maybe using different woods to make a union jack pattern..

[newey]

Callaham bridges are apparently US-made. Their website advises that most are made "in-house", which I take to be in Virginia. Callaham also offers neck plates, ferrules, and other hardware, but doesn't really indicate the source on their website.

There are a bunch of US pickup winders around; whether the raw materials are US-made is questionable- probably not. But at least the labor is here.

As Cyn points out, the metal parts are made of is a different story. For example, consider that since there is no domestic source of chromium, any chrome-plated parts involve an overseas raw material. Most chromium is from South Africa.

[santellan]

I know with my Toneshaper product it's was pretty hard to find the electronics parts. You can order Electroswitch "CRL" switches, Switchcraft jacks and CTS pots made in the USA but you will pay a premium.

The same for having the cables and circuit boards fab and assembled here but it was worth it. The vendors I work with understand that they are competing on a global basis and have learn to run lean and mean.

Good luck with your project I wish you the best!

[ijustwannastrat]

Sorry for hijack, only momentary....

Toneshaper? Do you have a website? Link?


---End Hijack---


But really, you need to show us this cherry body when you get to it. Cherry is one of my favorite woods, but I've never thought of putting it on a guitar...

[santellan]

for now you can look at santellansounds.com or acmeguitarworks.com until I get the official Toneshapers.com site up and running

[jcgss77]

cynical1- As always, when you share any amount of your knowledge, I learn something new. I was thinking of maple for the neck, but I wanted something a little different. Then I stumbled across an acoustic guitar with a yew back. Man, that was beautiful. In my research, it seems it is very hard to work with, being very hard, but I am hoping for a piece with a dark pattern down the middle of the neck, and if it is on both sides, and if it is possible, to keep it open on top as the fingerboard.

Since chrome is not mined here, perhaps aluminum hardware? I have heard a little about that being used. I will have to search that one out.

I was definitely referring to all US made components of the guitar. Hopefully, I won't have to compromise this, but I am not going to buy a piece of hardware that costs as much as a new 7 string. I will have to wait for the best for another day, on another wage.

Newey- I will be looking them up. Thank you for the link.

santellan- what is a Toneshaper? Maybe start a new thread?

I used to cut firewood when I was still a middleschooler, and I do remember quite distinctly that nice tangy aroma it had. I really think that the color will set off some beautiful transparent finishes. If my memory serves me, it had quite stong grain patterns as well. It was very heavy, but I think that was due to it always being wet. As this project progresses, I will definitely post some pics. Anyone have an idea for a transparent dye for this wood?

[ijustwannastrat]

Give 'er a clear coat. That should do it.

[cynical1]

It's cherrywood...you gotta but a semi-transparent red wood dye on it...


^Click me! I'm a link^




25558 Red Mahogany TransTint® Dye

...or...



28326 Red TransTint® Dye

...but that's just me

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[chuck]

isnt Yew a traditional wood for bows ?

what about a Kahler bridge ? ... i thought the original ones at least were made in the U.S.A
and are Grover tuners made in the States these days ?

[jcgss77]

cynical1- yes, I really like the color of that mahogany red you got there. It will make that baby one red machine! However, since my Hamer is red, and just for the fun of it, what dyes (other than red) would bring that already fleshy color to a never before seen color? I am not good at that kind of visualization, and know that you are quite the scholar in the lutherie department.

chuck- interesting. I did not know that, I just assumed that all the big names were all Asian. Newey's link up there is VERY interesting. You should check out those guys techniques, it at least deserves a read. I just wish the gibson bridge they make was a bit under $100.

[chuck]

at least some of Gibson's hardware has been made by Schaller ( Germany ) .... sheesh , do we REALLY know where ANYTHING is made ?

[Yew]

Aug 23, 2010 23:53:20 GMT -5 chuck said:

isnt Yew a traditional wood for bows ?

Yes.. I am however since the advent of composites, im currently less busy.. So i can spare some time to be a guitar too

[chuck]

multi tasking is the key

[jcgss77]

That is true. Someone once told me that Xaviere guitars were made in Boston. This was at a pawn shop. After that experience, I would say it is more of a pwn shop.

They are NOT made in the US, I found out.

[jcgss77]

Sorry for the double post, but in research, I have a question. I am pretty decided on making the body of cherry, but what about the neck also? Is cherry strong enough for 7 strings? Please share your thoughts/experiences.

[cynical1]

Aug 25, 2010 23:19:18 GMT -5 jcgss77 said:

...but what about the neck also? Is cherry strong enough for 7 strings?

In a word...no.

I wouldn't use it on a 6 string...so 7 strings are dead out.

If it were me...and you had my penchant for maple...the choice is obvious. A nice piece of quarter sawn or birdseye, if you happen to have the coin, is always my first choice.

I found a CNC'd maple one piece neck blank about 70% done that is going on my 2nd project. It's my first fat neck, and I'll be able to club my way out of Beirut with this thing. It cost me $35.00. I sanded and shaped it, dropped in my frets and will poly it once the temperature drops to a reasonable level to apply the finish.

I liked the idea of the Pacific yew, but have on idea on price or availability...or finding a blank in the size you're looking for.

Are you looking to make the neck from a blank, or finish one that already exists? The reason I ask is that from time to time older Fender necks come up on eBay that can be stripped and re-fretted. Can't get much more American then a 60's neck from Fender...

If you're looking to build it from a blank I personally prefer a one piece...provided you have a long through drill press...

Well, off to feed the herd.

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[jcgss77]

Thanks c1. I would really love to use pacific yew, but that stuff is harder to find than Honduras mahogany. As a matter of fact, the searching I did only yielded small stuff.

I am really interested in building a setneck, most preferrably something of the deeper variety. It even seems easier, since I don't own a drill press, and only need to glue in the neck.

All in all, I want to use wood that is not common to guitars. I don't care about resale value, this is a learning experience in creating my own unique guitar. That is why I was asking about yew, it is a very hard wood, and not seen in guitars, especially electrics.

So, in short, what is another good neck substitute wood? I have nothing against maple, and I actually like the unfinished feel of it. Just want to try something different, you know, see how some other woods act. I have been considering also oak, walnut, and ash.

[newey]

Another option for bridges:

MannMade USA

[newey]

I searched for "yew" here:

WoodFinder.com

And several suppliers within a 50 mile radius popped up. I didn't contact any, however, to see if they in fact had Yew, and in what sizes.

If you're thinking other types of wood, this outfit sells neck blanks in several varieties in the $30 range.
Exotic Woods

No experience with these folks, so this isn't any sort of recommendation, just a link.

[cynical1]

If you're looking for blanks to make your neck, and probably the body blanks, I found this place on-line:

Gilmer Wood Company

They deal in Pacific Yew, as well as some nice looking pieces of maple for neck blanks on their INSTRUMENT WOOD page.

An e-mail requesting your specific sizes and "Made in America" theme might get you some quick results...and you only pay shipping once.

HTC1

[ivo215]

First of all, I'm not a luthier, so don't take my word for it.

But the thing about yew, and the very reason why it's so suitable for longbows is the heartwood of the tree resist compression very well, and the sapwood of the tree is the exact oposit, it's very elastic. So if the wood is cut just so that the bow is part heartwood and part sapwood, you have a natural composite bow of elastic and compression resistant woods. No glue required.
Choosing either yew heartwood, yew sapwood or a composite of both for the neck will greatly affect a guitars tone.
My bet is that heartwood is the bit you'd want for the neck.
Not a flexible elastic sapwood neck.

[cynical1]

Another option, if you have your heart set on using yew for the neck, is to make a three piece neck. Sandwich a strip of maple in between the two outer yew pieces.

And if you wanted to get real American about it toss a quatersawn white oak fretboard on it. Probably have the guys at Luthier's Mercantile scratching their collective heads, but just tell them that Brian May did it, so cash the check and cut it... LMI can also do the radius and fret cutting on the neck blank.

The oak may require a bit more filling of the grain, but I guarantee you that once completed you will have the only yew, maple and oak neck in the world.

I'm just sayin'...ya know...

Happy Trails

Cynical One