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Was at Griz in Springfield. They have tables with bunches of EIR and some maple for sale at $30-$45 for full sets. I went through them and most have a lot of warp or knots. That said they could be made usable with sanding or planing to thickness. Sides would be great for laminates in necks, making binding etc. The backs (most of what I seen was the Wild grain of eir) for rosettes and other pieces. I don't know if could get some ordered or need to get them from the store only and didn't ask. I was in a hurry to get some parts and get to dr. so didn't look at every set or get any. The few sets of maple were only good for laminates, rosettes etc and didn't see any worth getting for making. These could be usable for folks just starting and want to do some extra work to get warp out or fill knots or practice bending etc. and not have a big investment.

Did you see any of their "master grade" sets? I have heard mixed things about these. Some say they are great, others say don't bother.

I am on the hunt for dark dark dark sets that are perfectly quartersawn without defects. Did you see sets like that.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock,
I live about 15 miles from that store, so I'll run up there Monday and look through what they have, then let you know.
dave

Brock Some had good quarter and color, but had so many other problems might not be great. I am thinking of them for neck laminates and rosettes and binding and purfling. Might pick up a set or two when have chance to really look at them in detail for some of my give away builds if think can get the warping out and worth the hassle. Nothing seen would or least what I seen not use in commission work. It was just a quick trip for me and happened to see them so didn't really spend time inspecting.

Well, I went up to the Griz store this morning and looked at what they had. There were 15-20 B&S sets in EIR and Curly maple. these are reject sets in that most have bad backs, by that I mean, splits, warps, knots, etc. I didn't see one set that was buildable as is, but many of the sides were fine, it was mostly the backs that were bad. So, at $40 a set not too bad for binding, rosette, headplate, bridgeplate stock, but I'm gonna give it to Friday, then go back up there and see if they want to deal on whatever is left.
dave

I gave them a week to come down in price, and they did.
I went back on Monday, 2/9, and the sets were marked down to $30 for curly maple, and $20 for EIR. I bought one of each. They'll need a little work, but the crack in the back of the EIR is outside the upper bout area, the same with the curly maple set also. Should be usable, but at worst, there's some binding, peghead overlays, bridge plates, etc. Plus, I've not yet built with maple and this will be a good set to learn on as I hear bending maple is a touch tricky. I'll go back next monday, maybe they'll mark down some more!
Dave