Luthier's Resource: OEMs & Suppliers

[Lo-E]

General hardware; screws and bolts: McMaster-Carr McMaster-Carr

Electronics parts; jacks, pots, capacitors, etc.: Digi-Key Invalid Link Removed

Excellent vendors. To general industrial supply I’ll add:
Invalid Link Removed

For electronics I’ll add:
Link Removed

Allied Electronics - Fueling the Future of Service Station Automation Today

Invalid Link Removed

All are in the US.

For circular saw blades and router bits I’ve had good luck with:
Amana Tool® CNC Router Bits, Saw Blades | Power Tools & Supplies | ToolsToday but there’s so much internet competition that I’m sure there are lots of other good options.

 

[ardgedee]

I almost forgot WSC Partsland Partsland

Is Partsland useful for a hobbyist? Their MOQ is 100 for the items I've looked at.

 

[Beej]

Is Partsland useful for a hobbyist? Their MOQ is 100 for the items I've looked at.

Nope, wholesale and high quantity only.

 

[ardgedee]

Nope, wholesale and high quantity only.

Makes sense, what with overseas shipping. I guess it'll be good for group buys.

 

[Max Bogosity]

Oxford Guitar Supply for nitrocellulose lacquer and related supplies. Canada.

 

[Barticus]

Actually, please don't! Based on the last few posts, I'm going to update post #1 and start adding in even more resources. This will be a Luthier Wiki page...

Sorry to clutter the thread, but another great example, picked this up at Woodcraft today and will easily get 4 book matched flamed tops from this board for less than $10ea!

 

[NKBassman]

NextGen guitars sells some hardware too. Not sure about wholesale/OEM, but I did buy a truss rod and CF bars from them for my current project, which was nice to find within Canada.
Their website is down for maintenance right now, but should be back up in a few days.

 

[BTL]

Busy weekend…I’ll update post #1 this week.

 

[NKBassman]

Again I’m not sure about OEM or bulk quantities, there’s also Solo Music Gear in Canada for hardware, tools, kits, blanks, finishing supplies etc.
SOLO Music Gear - Best DIY Guitar Kits, Guitar Store Near Me, Strat Kits & Services Canada

 

[NKBassman]

More Canadian content:
Wood to Works - Canadian Woodcraft & Lutherie Supplies

 

[TerribleTim68]

I guess I'll add this one, I've been following him on Instagram and FB for a while now. He always has pretty amazing wood (that sounds odd) and I have yet to catch one I could afford, but for some really high quality tops from a luthier-focused vendor -

Kimball Hardwoods

Some may already know about him, he's kind of the only supplier Derek over at Big-D Guitars uses.

 

[TerribleTim68]

One other "lumber" supplier I also keep an eye on is -

Worldwide Burl

He is only on Instagram, he has no website or FB. He posts burls on Instagram that are "up for auction" with a minimum bid and an auction timeframe and you simply bid in the comments. High bidder wins. Some of them are not large enough for luthiers, some are. But I feel like it's a hidden gem that I hate to let out of the bag.

 

[BTL]

I updated post #1 with some of the content, but it took longer than anticipated. I'll pick up more of your comments in a bit...great input!

 

[Barticus]

I’m looking for a supplier of replacement metal grills for a couple of small bass cabinets. I looked at Online Metals (listed above) but they’re pricey. Are there any other recommendations for where I could source a couple of these? Size 9.25” x 19.5” with 90° rolled edges on 2 sides.

I’ve found some rolled aluminum mesh that might work but might be tough to keep it from curling up while working it on a brake to bend the sides.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I’m looking for a supplier of replacement metal grills for a couple of small bass cabinets. I looked at Online Metals (listed above) but they’re pricey. Are there any other recommendations for where I could source a couple of these? Size 9.25” x 19.5” with 90° rolled edges on 2 sides.

I’ve found some rolled aluminum mesh that might work but might be tough to keep it from curling up while working it on a brake to bend the sides.

Maybe try speakerhardware.com. Don’t know if they still do, but they used to have lots of grille options.

 

[rojo412]

Philadelphia Luthier is doing their July 4th sale, 15% off with code "JULY4TH2023", thru the 4th.
I love stocking up on stuff when they do these sales.

 

[BTL]

I love that this thread's scope expanded quickly beyond what I laid out in the first draft of post #1. I'll update the content there over the holiday. Thanks again!

 

[pilotjones]

• As similar electronics businesses to Digi-Key, I will second the suggestion of Mouser, and add Link Removed
• Under the Painting heading, you have a few vendors listed as “poly” and one listed as “nitro.” Then further on you have a separate heading for nitro. You may want to combine them, or sort and fully split them.
  
• In addition to McMaster and MSC already mentioned: for shop fixture and manufacturing-type part supplies like hold-downs, tool handles, bushings, etc.: Carr Lane: Quality Industrial Tooling & Fixture Components

 

[ardgedee]

Another worthwhile electronics supplier: Link Removed

Based in the EU but has warehouses in a few countries and can ship almost everything to anywhere. I like their search tools more than Mouser's, though it probably isn't as efficient if you're used to Mouser. Prices are better or worse than Mouser and Digikey depending on what you're looking for or the quantity. They have pretty good sales from time to time if you're on their mailing list. When they were first expanding to the US they didn't have warehouses here yet so my order was shipped overnight from The Netherlands for $20! (I didn't need overnight shipping, that was just their base shipping fee. )

 

[NKBassman]

Do we know of anyone who does instrument finishing within Canada? Similar to what MJT is doing now...