There is a distinction between the sonic wood in the Vault and the Shop categories: luthiers can toggle/adjust the Q, density, and stiffness to find what they're looking for sonically. This is more sophisticated than choosing from the pre-sorted sonic grades (low, med, high) available outside of the Vault. 

New pieces are added about 1–2 times a month, sometimes sooner, depending on what comes through the mill. Because each set is truly unique, availability is limited, and pieces often sell quickly. To get early access to pieces added, you can sign up for our Luthiers’ Edge Vault Newsletter.

Yes. Unlike our standard shop products, Vault listings display the exact, photographed set, including details such as grain, figure, and colour. When you order from the Vault, the piece you see online is the piece that arrives at your bench. This makes it ideal for builders who want to design an instrument around a specific aesthetic or acoustic property.

Many Vault listings feature sonically graded Sitka and Lutz spruce. Each of these soundboards is tested for stiffness (MOE), density, and damping (Q), and only the top performers are included. When you purchase, you’ll receive the data sheet for that specific set, providing a level of predictability and repeatability unique to Pacific Rim Tonewoods.

The Vault rotates, but you’ll commonly find koa, redwood, bearclaw Sitka spruce, Engelmann spruce, quilted maple, flamed maple, and highly figured backs and sides. We also add electric guitar drop tops and billets with striking figures. Our mill team curates a selection, so every Vault listing represents something visually or acoustically special.

Yes. Visual grading is still an essential step. We look at grain clarity, bookmatching, color consistency, and figure. For spruce, grading is paired with sonic testing. For maple, koa, and redwood, we focus on unique figure, chatoyance, and colour that elevate the artistry of a build. Vault pieces meet the highest criteria in both appearance and performance.

All Vault sets are dried, stabilized, and conditioned in our dehumidification kiln. Moisture content is kept at about 6% for long-term stability and tonal reliability. That being said, we always recommend that you dry and acclimate the wood according to your own schedule/protocols.

Yes, we do offer international shipping to select countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. That being said, not all products can be shipped internationally, and not all countries are eligible. Some species (such as rosewood or koa) may be subject to export restrictions, and additional shipping fees may apply.

If you’re outside the U.S. and unsure whether we can ship to your location or fulfill a specific order, please contact us before placing an order. We’re happy to help you check.