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Posts: 1708
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
Akustikwood
I'm just finishing up a custom flamenca negra in Brazilian rosewood, but while the final (I hope) session of shellac on the back is drying, my order of Mediterranean cypress from Akustikwood in Turkey has arrived. I'm so glad that with all the crazy stuff going on in that area we can still do business.
The wood arrived in see-thru bubble wrap--such a good idea so customs can see what it is without unpacking it. Inside, the stacks of wood were carefully taped together. I ordered eight sets of their second or B grade of wood, because it is very nice and I like a little more figure than the first grade. These sides and backs have very nicely quartered grain. They used a couple of pieces of spruce as padding and I can use those for donut soundhole reinforcements. They also sent me a couple of unexpected gifts of pieces of exotic burls. I'll figure out something to do with them. Maybe some special headplates.
Ordering from Akustikwood is different from ordering from suppliers in the US. I sent them an email telling what I wanted and a month or so later I received a reply saying they lost my email. So I sent them another (ordering even more stuff) and then I didn't hear anything back from them at all. Then I received the order today, weeks later. I'm used to them now. I'm going to go to my bank today to wire them payment (they don't want it in advance) and include a little extra so they don't get stuck with any bank fees. Their prices are great.
Oh, and all the sides and back halves are stamped with numbers so sets can't get mixed up, which is very nice.
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Nice to see that you are pleased with the purchases.
Looking at the bright burl, thinking that it could be looking interesting on a headstock, I wonder about its pendant, with the question coming up: Can something like maple be used for bridges, or would it be too heavy?
The wood arrived in see-thru bubble wrap--such a good idea so customs can see what it is without unpacking it. Inside, the stacks of wood were carefully taped together. I ordered eight sets of their second or B grade of wood, because it is very nice and I like a little more figure than the first grade. These sides and backs have very nicely quartered grain. They used a couple of pieces of spruce as padding and I can use those for donut soundhole reinforcements. They also sent me a couple of unexpected gifts of pieces of exotic burls. I'll figure out something to do with them. Maybe some special headplates.
I think they are a good company. I was a bit miffed at one set of so called premium grade cyprus I had one time, but overall everything else has been up to the mark and more. I have tried out some of the other woods like the lacewood and they must have run out of B grade and sent top quality gear instead. My last flamenco was built using 3rd grade cyprus and you can adjust and trim to make everything straight and parallel. I like that they include the odd bits of spruce and do likewise using it for sound hole reinforcement. Jealous about the burr you got - looks cool 8-)
I've ordered from them and never received the goods. I emailed back and never heard a word. I just checked my emails and the last last time I tried was 10-8-13, never got my wood. Gave up.
In my life, I would never use maple for a bridge. people would think I was a convert of doctor Diaz Maple is normally lighter than rosewoods but it has a lot more damping. I have bought wood from Akusticwood a couple of times, but the quality of the premier grade cypress was like second grade from madinter, so I stay with 1st grade from madinter. More expensive, yes, but clearly better quality.
I have ordered from them several times and never had a problem or complaint. Like all the other wood vendors I've used the quality does vary from one shipment to the next but overall I'd class their products as a bargain.
All of my cypress has been from them so far. Same deal - everything shipped and you pay after you have seen it. I don't know how they would respond to complaints as I didn't have any.
Since people are talking about complaints, I wasnt complaining. I just told that the cypress was like Madinter second grade. Second grade from madinter is good quality cypress. Madinter always send me very good quality wood and the consistancy is very high. You know what you get. Its not like the other big spanish wood vendor, where I will strongly advice not to buy online.
The comunication can be a bit tough with them some times. I have found light spam works. I've even got a price list for them. Although that is probably a couple of years old now.
Same with the orders though. You're never quite sure if it got through until the wood arrives at your door.
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