Stewart Macdonald in the UK?

[AHB]

Does anyone know anywhere in the UK who might stock Stewart Macdonald tools and accessories?

I'm needing two or three things and - because I don't live anywhere near a Post Office - the whole process of paying VAT and maybe import duty on parcels from the US is a right pain. The UK Post Office online system just didn't work last time I had a US order to get paid and cleared for delivery, so it would be good to avoid importing if I can.

Thank you!

[pieterh]

I guess the question is what do you need? There are a number of suppliers here in Sweden which in itself would make your imports duty free so I would imagine there would be a luthier supplier in the UK too.

[JC.]

I ordered from Stewmac US last week (to London). Ordered Friday. Arrived Monday. Paid cash to the DHL driver to settle the customs due.

[JayBee1404]

You could check with Jon Press (JP Guitars), down near Bristol - I know he carries **some** items from SM, but I’m not sure how far it goes. He’s a nice guy to deal with.

https://www.jp-guitars.co.uk/

[AHB]

Things needed - pickguards; a set of classical style tuners (to change out the rubbish ones a previous owner fitted to one of my Takamines); sundry other tools; and maybe a nut and saddle sander although it's a heck of a price.

It's the sander making me look at StewMac - can't find an alternative jig/device anywhere else and I don't have a decent steel bench vice at the moment. (But hope to move house this year and can then get a decent workshop rigged up).

[AHB]

Originally Posted by JC.

I ordered from Stewmac US last week (to London). Ordered Friday. Arrived Monday. Paid cash to the DHL driver to settle the customs due.

Fair comment! I've not had DHL deliver anything from the States, it's usually been sent USPS who seem to contract to Royal Mail for UK delivery.

But we get stuff delivered to work almost daily from DHL and that might be a good solution, thank you.

[Kevin L]

Another vote for JP Guitars, I've had a few things from them, always a good service, no affiliation other than being a satisfied customer.

You mention pickguards and tuners which are two things that JP seem to specialise in. If the sanding jig you mention is for reducing the height of saddles and nuts then it is easy enough to do this by sanding the nut/saddle on a piece of abrasive paper that's on a flat surface (just a table will do). I've made nuts from a blank with just one 5"x5" piece of abrasive paper, a table and vernier calipers - obviously needed nut files and used fine emery cloth for polishing but you don't need loads of hi-tech gear. Buy a couple of nut blanks from JP and give it a go. Have a look at frets.com for good advice.

[Bill Yellow]

Have you checked out ToneTech Luthier Supplies? They have decent inventory, too.

[nikpearson]

Have a good range of Stewmac kit. Although the U.K. is now in the Brexit transition period, for the purpose of purchasing items from the EU nothing has changed.

The Stewmac saddle and nut sander is a useful, if expensive, piece of kit. You can do the same job with squared piece of wood or similar, but it’s not quite so quick, precise, or elegant. A less expensive yet very well made version is available here:

https://www.guitarbuilderonline.com/...le-sander.html

Touchstone Tonewoods have a good selection of classical tuners. After using several types I strongly recommend Schaller’s Grand Tune models. The ones with the ball bearing rollers are beautifully smooth if a little pricey - as good as Allessi, Rodgers, or the high-end Gotoh options.

Hope that helps.