I NEEDED SOME OF THAT beautiful Blackwood figured binding for a couple of the tenors in this build cycle plus I have not visited my friends at the Mill for a long time now. After lunch I got on the road and drove up the Skagit Valley to the Pacific Rim Tonewood mill to satisfy the wood hunger that had been building. My excuse was that I needed to stock up on my favorite binding, but I must confess I just love visiting that magical place and seeing the incredible amounts of perfect wood. Mind you these folks are the primary suppliers of spruce and maple to the big boys like Martin and Taylor. They are not in the retail wood business and don't encourage small time luthiers like me to drop in and waste their time. Fortunately they are friends and they tolerate an occasional visit from me. I make sure not to over stay my welcome.
I came away with enough blackwood binding for seven more Koa/Spruce "Blondes". That ought to take care of me for at least a year.
And of course I just had to cherry pick through their stack of "scrap", guitar length Sitka Spruce . As usual I found 30 pieces that are perfect for ukuleles, the knot or discoloration is at an end that I can cut off and throw away, leaving a AAA top for a tenor uke. If any of you are building ukes and want magnificent Sitka Spruce tops contact me, I will share this wood with you very reasonably.
I came away with enough blackwood binding for seven more Koa/Spruce "Blondes". That ought to take care of me for at least a year.
And of course I just had to cherry pick through their stack of "scrap", guitar length Sitka Spruce . As usual I found 30 pieces that are perfect for ukuleles, the knot or discoloration is at an end that I can cut off and throw away, leaving a AAA top for a tenor uke. If any of you are building ukes and want magnificent Sitka Spruce tops contact me, I will share this wood with you very reasonably.
Here is their sign at the driveway entrance. The sun was shining and the drive up the valley was lovely with the maples on the hillside a bright orange. A perfect fall day for a drive.
The office with the grading room behind it. They have a number of large buildings for processing and storing wood, a huge kiln, A most impressive operation in every way, It is tucked into the hills of Skagit County in the far northwest corner of Washington State churning out its quality product daily.
This is the grading room where two experienced men inspect each piece of wood produced. Anything that does not pass their rigid standard is rejected. Their customers will accept only the best, They will sell only the bes. Pacific Rim's standards are extremely high.
