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Building an EUB - where to get wood?

Discussion in 'Electric Upright Basses (EUB's) [DB]' started by nathanmcnathan, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. Jul 2, 2008 #1
    nathanmcnathan

    nathanmcnathan Inactive

    Jan 25, 2008
    Barrie, Ontario
    Hey everybody! I really want to build an EUB, but I live in Canada, and I can't order anything online as I don't have a credit card:(. So, anybody know anywhere that I can buy some decent wood for building an EUB? I don't really need AAA tonewood, just wood that works. I'll be using a pickup, so the wood doesn't matter too much.
    Thanks!
     
  2. Jul 2, 2008 #2
    RyKnowOdadjian

    RyKnowOdadjian

    Dec 25, 2007
    First mistake, regardless of whether or not you are using a pickup, the wood does matter. It will be channelling all the vibrations in a certain way to give the tone character, so I'd put a little bit of thought into it.

    On topic, I reckon go cut down a tree in the local forest, something real old for shock value :smug:
     
  3. Jul 2, 2008 #3
    nathanmcnathan

    nathanmcnathan Inactive

    Jan 25, 2008
    Barrie, Ontario
    I was thinking since I posted this, I will need to get some decent quality wood.
    I'm not going to cut a tree down, because there's no forest (Barrie is a pretty developed city:(). So, know where I can BUY some wood?
     
  4. Jul 2, 2008 #4
    bassbob

    bassbob

    Oct 16, 2004
    Midwest
    Hey,

    There are several ways you can go about this. Check out the local lumberyards for spruce, poplar, cedar and maple planks and then consider what method you want to use in the construction. I am very slowly working on a " carved poplar body EUB. I wanted to try this on the cheap and the plan is to use off the shelf poplar for most of the body and maple for the neck. I have some rosewood rough cut for a fingerboard.

    I have also considered using birch or spruce plywood to make a body also but it is a little harder to find the right kind of plywood vs. solid wood. Good luck.
     
  5. Jul 3, 2008 #5
    Francois Blais

    Francois Blais

    Dec 11, 1999
    Québec, Canada
    Can you make a trip to Heinl's in Toronto?
     
  6. Jul 4, 2008 #6
    scotty77

    scotty77

    Jan 31, 2008
    Victoria, B.C.
    Nathan,
    There are many wood dealers out there. Both in the States and Canada. Contact some of them. Most likely you can either send them a cheque and let them hold your order till it clears. Or, you can send a Postal Money order. Talk to them. They want business.

    BassBob's idea of spruce, cedar, poplar and maple is a good one. I'm not really familiar with what's available in Ontario, but I would assume maple is plentiful. Birch as well?

    For wood suppliers, just google "Tonewoods" or "Luthier supplies". I'm sure that you will find a lot available in your area. Check out your area as well. Contact some wood workers in your area. They can probably help you out as well. Also, go to mimf.com. (I hope I can say that here.) They have a lot of contact info for wood and instrument parts suppliers on their site. (Sorry Mods if I've crossed any lines here. Just trying to help someone out.)

    Good luck with your build,

    Scotty
     
  7. Jul 4, 2008 #7
    nathanmcnathan

    nathanmcnathan Inactive

    Jan 25, 2008
    Barrie, Ontario
    I've dealt with Heinl's in the past, but I don't know what they have in terms of woods. I would think that they'd just have woods for making violins, not thick enough for an EUB's body.
     
  8. Jul 5, 2008 #8
    Francois Blais

    Francois Blais

    Dec 11, 1999
    Québec, Canada
  9. Jul 17, 2008 #9
    rgarcia26

    rgarcia26

    Jun 9, 2008
    Miami Florida
    Hi guys Im working on making a EUB like the ebass http://ebass.nl/site/index.php?pagefile=home and I haven’t decided yet which type of wood to use for the body and its very hard to find also, I'm thinking on using mahogany, any opinion or help?? I live in Florida Miami...!!! tips are welcome this is my first time!!!