A Compendium of Guitar Lutherie Shops
Providing specialized tools and supplies for the purpose of building guitars is what you call a niche market. But the great thing about the Internet is that niche markets can still attract some quality purveyors of great products to support said market.
I felt it may be somewhat helpful to compile a list of the luthier suppliers that I have come across in my Internet travels as many of them sell useful tools that are unique and can greatly improve the process of building guitars.
Stewart McDonald
Ok, let's start with the name that everyone knows about. Steward McDonald or "Stew Mac" as they like to go by are likely the largest retailer of guitar building tools and supplies. I have purchased several such things from them and the cliche you'll hear about them is true and valid. They have great tools, their support is great, the materials are quality, the price is high. All true statements.
Luthier Mercantile International
Another of the larger purveyors of guitar building wares, this company has been around for a long time and have a wide range of supplies and tools. They have a slightly different take on things than Stewart McDonald so whenever I am considering buying anything, I usually check both places prior to making a final decision.
Sadly since writing this post Luthier Mercantile International has ceased doing business and closed up shop.
Luthier Mercantile International
Blues Creek Guitars
This is a relatively well known supplier of luthier tools and supplies. They sell a variety of helpful tools and some items that some of the larger suppliers on this list do not.
Elevate Lutherie
This company sells a handful of specialized tools to handle some of the more challenging tasks around guitar building. The tools they sell are high quality and are extremely well designed. There are some really great tools here that can save a ton of time.
Luthier Suppliers
A Colorado company that offers a few interesting tools and jigs. One of their items I particularly find interesting is their wide ranging variety of neck profile templates.
Skyscraper guitars
While not exhaustive in range, this company offers some simple tools that appear to be well constructed and built to last.
Alaska Specialty Woods
This company specializes in tone woods for instrument tops, straight from the source in Alaska.
Gen One Luthier Supply
An interesting company primarily focused on extensive and accurate digital plans. It's pretty cool to not only be able to get exact plans for specific guitars also plans for jigs and tools. They even have some free downloads of certain plans.
Maple Leaf Hardwoods
An online supplier of all things curly maple.
Have a company I missed or someone I should add to the list? Drop me a line at [email protected]
Keep on sawing wood.