Custom Exotic Wood HELP!

[bones200o]

Hey all!
I am traveling abroad this fall and I would like to make a custom mandolin upon my return. I think i have found someone to create the electric/acoustic mandolin for me but I wanted some advice on woods to use. Like I said I have the privledge of going Abroad this fall. I am visiting the following countries: Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Tanzania, S. Africa, Brazil and Venesuela. I want to find some exotic woods to create my mandolin with and I would like it to be somewhat representative of my trip. Any advice on wood choice and where to find the would be of great help! Thank you for your time!

[krishna]

Bones,I don't want to curb your enthusiasm ...but I'm pretty sure this is not the way to go about it. Almost all the wood you could possibly select is availabe here in North America and you won't have to wait 2 years to season the wood.Plus the export problems for anything exotic? I don't think you've thought this out...Maybe it cold work....Kerry

[bones200o]

I know very little about the building buisness. I thought that it would be cheaper to find (seasoned) wood abroad. For example, if for some reason I could find Brazilian Rosewood while I was there I assumed that it would be cheaper. Also I was wanting to know if there are any rare woods in the US that are readily available in some of the more obsure countries I will be visiting. Thanks for your reply! -Chris

[Bill Snyder]

If your goal is money savings I don't think this would be the way to go. I don't think you will be able to import Brazilian Rosewood. As for saving money on the wood that is very doubtful. Importers will buy wood in large quantities instead of just enough for one or two mandolins and they might realize savings you may not. The other thing is the cost of the wood is not the big expense in an upper-end mandolin. The greatest expense is paying for the skill and eperience of the luthier. It takes many, many hours work to construct a top-notch mandolin. For the skill some of these people exhibit they are not paid very well.
If you want a traditional bluegrass mandolin it would be maple back and sides and spruce top anyway. These woods are frequently from North American sources.

[grsnovi]

Further, I suspect you will encounter US Customs problems attempting to bring agricultural products in.

[Chris Baird]

Grab some brazilian rose wood. Carve a little shallow decorative carving in it and claim it as a souvenier. Brazilian rosewood is a $2000 extra for most builders who can get it.