Any shaftwood dealings with exoticwoods.com?

[jazznpool]

I was wondering if anyone has purchased shaft dowels from Gulab at exoticwoods.com? He has 4 grades, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A.

I was wondering if his wood was vacuum kiln dried and if you believe his grading of the dowels is honest. Am I wrong to expect 5A dowels to be very select--spectacularly clear with super straight and tight grain?

Thanks,
Martin

 

[jazznpool]

I can't believe nobody buys shaftwood from this outfit! I did find out the wood is all vacuum kiln dried and that Meucci buys the 4A wood for his customs.

Martin

I was wondering if anyone has purchased shaft dowels from Gulab at exoticwoods.com? He has 4 grades, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A.

I was wondering if his wood was vacuum kiln dried and if you believe his grading of the dowels is honest. Am I wrong to expect 5A dowels to be very select--spectacularly clear with super straight and tight grain?

Thanks,
Martin

 

[dunkelcustomcue]

Martin, I took a ride down to their shop about a year ago. I asked about shaftwood and the little they had didn't impress me. I ended up picking up some cocobolo, and kingwood. They had tons of ebony, but I feel that their prices are too high. I never went back because I get most of my exotics from Bell Forrest for a much better price and very nice pieces. Hope this helps.

 

[jazznpool]

Thanks for the reply Dunkel. Gulab said they had 3000 pieces. In my way of thinking each 5A dowel should be absolutely spectacular in all respects. In guitar wood parlance 5A grade is nearly on a par with "master grade," the finest wood there is. I may buy a small lot with the provision that the lot will be returned if not honestly 5A grade. Too bad Bellforest doesn't sort their shaft dowels. Local guy bought 50 and was mildly disappointed due to percentage of decent or better shaft yield.

Martin

Martin, I took a ride down to their shop about a year ago. I asked about shaftwood and the little they had didn't impress me. I ended up picking up some cocobolo, and kingwood. They had tons of ebony, but I feel that their prices are too high. I never went back because I get most of my exotics from Bell Forrest for a much better price and very nice pieces. Hope this helps.

 

[rhncue]

Thanks for the reply Dunkel. Gulab said they had 3000 pieces. In my way of thinking each 5A dowel should be absolutely spectacular in all respects. In guitar wood parlance 5A grade is nearly on a par with "master grade," the finest wood there is. I may buy a small lot with the provision that the lot will be returned if not honestly 5A grade. Too bad Bellforest doesn't sort their shaft dowels. Local guy bought 50 and was mildly disappointed due to percentage of decent or better shaft yield.

Martin

Every wood dealer have their own grading system. If Meucci is using their 4A I would be looking at something like a 7A myself. Although I give new dealers a try, I have found that it has never paid off. I have found it is best dealing with dealers who specialize in cue shaft blanks and handle wood. They know what a cuemaker wants and have the facilities, equipment, knowledge and most important, most are in the area where the maple is grown. This way they can inspect the logs and bid only on ones they think are suitable for making shafts. There is a reason that you can by hard rock maple for as little as 2.50 a board foot but good shaft wood go's for 40 to 70.00 a board foot.

I have bought cocobolo and bocota from them before and when I followed the link to them I don't see any reference to shaft wood. Just what are their prices for 4 and 5A blanks. Give them a try and be sure to let us know how you feel about the quality.

I also was very dissapointed with the shaft blanks that I recieved from Bell Forrest. I've recieved a lot of good figured wood from them but out of 50 shaft blanks I'll be lucky to use 10.
Dick

 

[dunkelcustomcue]

martin, Are they grading dowels as 5A? Most places that sell shaftwood will not sell dowels as their best. They always want to get a few turns on it. Don't get me wrong, he was nice to deal with and if I had the time I would probably go down and pick through his cocobolo, but it just didn't have my interest peaked when I visited.

Steve

 

[jazznpool]

Yes, Gulab is grading dowels as 5A and that is his highest grade. One local cuemaker, whose opinion I highly value, says you really can't grade shaftwood correctly until it has at least one turn on it. I have seen dowels that looked awesome to begin with that became spectacular shafts--at least from the wood quality standpoint. They were also turned down from dowel to finished shaft in about a 2 week period and they stayed straight.

Martin

martin, Are they grading dowels as 5A? Most places that sell shaftwood will not sell dowels as their best. They always want to get a few turns on it. Don't get me wrong, he was nice to deal with and if I had the time I would probably go down and pick through his cocobolo, but it just didn't have my interest peaked when I visited.

Steve