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I?m looking into the possibility of exporting guitars from Nicaragua - I love mine and I think with the right materials, this luthier could build some awesome stuff. I hope eventually to have some part in the actual building, but it may be awhile.

I?d have to handle importing the various stuff we?d need that?s not available here (spruce top wood, tuners, etc.). I feel comfortable buying spruce tops, but there are some areas I realize I?m totally clueless.

In no particular order:

1. What do I buy to use for bracewood? Do wood suppliers typically sell spruce expressly for that purpose? Anything in particular to look for or be careful of?

2. Is maple the preferred bridge plate material? Same questions - where do I get it, what should I look for?

3. Is there a standard fret wire thickness? I?ve seen several different ones out there and I?d just like to buy the most vanilla (least likely to upset people) option, but I don?t know what that is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew Wright

Andrew

1. I use Sitka spruce for my bracewood. Some people like to match the type of bracewood with the same wood that is used for the top (Englemann spruce braces with Englemann spruce top). So far I have just used Sitka no matter what top wood I am using. Many tonewood suppliers sell bracewood. Take a look at the suppliers who sponser this sight. Many of them offer different woods for bracing. Carpathian spruce, Engelmann spruce and cedar are also used.

2. Maple is my choice for bridge plates. Other hardwoods work as well, but maple is probably one of the most widely used. You may be able to get maple from a tonewood supplier (some of the sponsors of this site would probably cut some for you even if it is not offered on their website) or there are a few exotic wood dealers in Canada and the USA which would probably ship to you.

3. I use Hard standard size wire from LMI (www.lmii.com). It is a standard size for steelstrings. Go to there website to get the exact measurements.

Hope that is of some help to you.

Josh

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Josh House

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