(We now join this RM 1999 restoration already in progress)

[Grey]

I would have left it the way it looked in the first photo. That was a sexy looking instrument.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

mark, brothah...you have ballz the size of zepplins !!!

[walker]

? ? ?

Did you install a toilet-cam in my bathroom???

[RickyBubba]

Mark - Here is the first link I pulled out of my bookmarks that might bear some good fruit. They appear to do MUCH more than gunstock blanks, and it reads like they have their own stockpile to source from....so good chance they could find a width you need?

http://www.dunlapwoodcrafts.com

They could probably plain it to get you close to the thickness if you need that service. They would likely find what you are doing as uber-cool!

I recall a few others that had some really pretty wood blanks...so I'll keep digging.

These guys had some stuff in 17" widths, but wasn't really clear they had birdseye...but they might? http://www.gunstockwood.com/index.html

[RickyBubba]

This outfit has some really nice neck and fretboard blanks: http://www.bellforestproducts.com/fretboard-blanks/

Drool city. If they cut them, they should have some larger pieces to work with?

They do list lots of birdseye, but it looks on the smaller side...but could be worth contacting them.

[walker]

Thanks for the links, William. I actually found a decent matching piece on eBay last night, but these could be great resources for future projects. Kind of a drag that neither Dunlap nor Gunstockwood show pictures of their stock, although I know that's a time consuming task.

My next search is for a suitable neck block in a plainer grained Maple - I may have to go root around some construction sites in the city.

[RickyBubba]

I would be a little worried about moisture in just any block of wood you pick up on the street!

[walker]

I may have to roast it just to be on the safe side, but it depends on the wood's environment in the context of the building. Fireplace mantel wood - that would be pretty cool ala Brian May.

[teeder]

I have quit a bit of nice curly maple. I could spare a chunk if you decide to go that route.

[walker]

Thanks, Kevin. I may need some for another future project. Can you do me a solid and send photos of what you've got to my off-RRF email?

[teeder]

It's all stacked in the loft of my garage, but will send pix when I dig into it. Some of these boards are 10 feet long, 14-16 inches wide and 3 inches thick!

[walker]

Nice! Man - you could make a mint with that stuff if you sectioned it up into more sellable sizes. You should definitely wait until I've had my pick before resorting to this money-making venture, however.

[jps]

It's all stacked in the loft of my garage, but will send pix when I dig into it. Some of these boards are 10 feet long, 14-16 inches wide and 3 inches thick!

Hmm, I can see a nice dining room table made from that!

[walker]

*sigh* I was thinking more along the lines of quite a few sweet guitars!

[jps]