Figured Maple is becoming all but impossible to find locally lately, so we have had to resort to importing from the States directly. We normally get that sort of thing from stumac. follow this link: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bodies,_necks,_wood/Electric_guitar_body_blanks.html and look at the "Top Woods" section, far from cheap, but that is about the only option, I'm afraid.

Aaaaaah, thanks Neon Gecko, I had a look at StewMac first but I got a bit of a fright when I saw the price which was why I was hoping I'd be able to find something locally.

Another quick question; if I ordered the 3A grade (which is the cheapest), would it really be a massive difference from the 4A or 5A since I will be staining the wood black first and then sanding it down to make the grain "pop" more?

On veneers, wood grade ins't that critical. I’m sure that obtaining the “coloured tiger stripes” for example, would work out fine.

I’ll be keeping my beady ‘lil eye on this thread because the GFSA forumites are truly a resourceful lot and some one is bound to suggest a solution…

Neon Gecko wrote:
I’ll be keeping my beady ‘lil eye on this thread because the GFSA forumites are truly a resourceful lot and some one is bound to suggest a solution…

Which is exactly why I posted here ?

Thanks for the advice, I thought that the grade wouldn't matter too much.

Sorry, yet another quick question; I have been looking at ordering from StewMac for a while now and of course the International Courier shipping option is very pricey (basically doubles the price of my order)...have you ever used the Air Postal delivery option or perhaps have any thoughts on that? It's a long wait but probably all I'd be able to afford.

We use the postal service all the time. Normally takes anywhere between 3-6 weeks, but it can take a lot long sometimes... Russian Roulette anyone ?

Thanks again Neon Gecko...

As long as the stuff arrives, I suppose; I am willing to bet big money that the delays are thanks to Customs in South Africa, I work for a freight forwarding company and they are the bane of my existence sometimes ?

After taking a second look, I see that StewMac does send the goods insured so if it gets lost it's not the end of the world.

Maybe ask these okes:

http://www.amwoodinc.com/instrument_category.aspx?x=0q%2fKaNMaWxxmXrN20R%2fVtA%3d%3d

Thanks Ray, I did give that site a look just before I posted this thread but they seem to be even more expensive than ordering veneers from Stew-Mac though...

Clint Green wrote: Sorry, yet another quick question; I have been looking at ordering from StewMac for a while now and of course the International Courier shipping option is very pricey (basically doubles the price of my order)...have you ever used the Air Postal delivery option or perhaps have any thoughts on that? It's a long wait but probably all I'd be able to afford.

I have also bought stuff from StewMac using Postal order and in my case I had no issues and the stuff arrived in about 3 weeks. Have had no problems so far and if it's a big package you will get a shipping order number you can use on our side to track your parcel.

Thanks Fish Eagle...Yeah, this will be a reasonably larg parcel I'm sure, with the veneers, also wanting to order some screws, frets and refretting tools (my first refret, wish me luck..hehe).

Went in this morning to place the order but my order is about 100 bucks higher than it would have been yesterday even though the Rand/Dollar exchange rate it lower today than it was yesterday. Just waiting for them to open for business later today (time difference and all) and see if they update it before I actually send the order through.

oh the joys of ordering in $$$, where the price seems to yo-yo like a erm... well a yo-yo :-[

Clint Green wrote: Thanks Fish Eagle...Yeah, this will be a reasonably larg parcel I'm sure, with the veneers, also wanting to order some screws, frets and refretting tools (my first refret, wish me luck..hehe).

Went in this morning to place the order but my order is about 100 bucks higher than it would have been yesterday even though the Rand/Dollar exchange rate it lower today than it was yesterday. Just waiting for them to open for business later today (time difference and all) and see if they update it before I actually send the order through.

No Problem!! Good luck with the ordering and refreting!! I was pretty lucky at the time I bought my stuff we were really strong against the old $ so was able to get a lot more than I would have in the beginning...

Well, placed my order yesterday because I couldn't wait, then afterwards found 2 sets of veneers on Ebay for 1/4 the price including shipping. Oh well, I will just keep telling myself that the ones from Stew-Mac will be better quality, now let's just hope I don't screw it up ?

Bollocks, missed this.

For future reference, they guys gearhead linked to are the guys I ordered from, cheaper than stewmac. Grade is really good

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/contacts/hardwood-suppliers-needed/

Anywho, hope you're happy with your lumber

How did I miss that thread?? I scoured the forum before I posted this thread, hoping to find some leads... :-\

Where did you eventually manage to get hold of your quilted maple sheet, Guido? To be honest I would probably have been happier with quilted than flamed maple as my Epi Les Paul already has a cherry flamed maple top and I find plain tops to be too...well, erm...plain so quilted for my RG would have been awesome. Anyway, 700+ bucks later for a 3A flamed maple top, I'm still keen as all hell to get started on this project ?

I plan on posting pics of the process so watch the boards for my restoration thread.

Oops, dropped the ball again, I only noticed now that you stated in your post where you eventually got the stuff from...
I did check out the LMII site but from what I understood they didn't ship to SA, or the shipping calculated on the site was hellishly expensive, it was one of the two...I will look into them again next time though ?

Hey Clint

Yeh the quilt came from lmii, I actually have 2 tops, quilt has arrived from lmii so they definitely do ship. Shipping was just over 70dollars.
Also commissioned some birdseye but I haven't collected yet.

Ouch, 70 dollars...I think that was why I didn't order from LMII, it's all coming back to me now ?

Any advice on what glue to use? I am worried about the veneer lifting when I shoot the clear coat. Looking at using automotive 2k, it seems to be the most durable finish.

The process I have in mind will be as follows:
- Strip the original finish, fill dents as necessary using epoxy filler and sand.
- Apply the veneer, trim and then tape off the whole body leaving a PRS-style "natural binding" which I'll spray with a thin clear coat.
- Stain the veneer black, sanding back so that the grain pops nicely, then stain a rich blue over that.
- Tape off the top and "binding" and primer the back and sides, then colour coat.
- Apply my clear coats (2k).

I will also be applying a veneer to the headstock and staining to match the body. I've ordered a vinyl Ibanez logo decal from a mate of mine who will also give me a negative to use as an airbrishing template (I will probably go this route, airbrushing the logo between clear coats so that it doesn't wear off/fade.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I'm totally new to this, all I know so far is from hours of research online ?