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I'm looking for some split, damaged, lousy, good-for-nothing, inexpensive remnants of spruce tops to use while experimenting with various finish materials and techniques. Anyone have anything they would like to sell? Or a lead to a possible source? I've thought about using something from a lumber yard, but fear I won't get accurate results unless I use pieces of the real thing. Am I wrong? Thoughts and advice welcomed.

Thanks in advance,

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George :-)

Shane at High Mountain Tonewood might has some scraps or inexpensive sets (although he usually saves that stuff for the wood stove I think).

He's one of the OLF sponsors, you can find his link at the top of every page.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

LMI and other sellers sells 2nd grade tops fairly cheap (15 dollars or so) and you can test finishing on that. I am not sure if you have size requirements if not you can just buy a brace stock and resaw them into as many pieces as you'd like then just do your tests. The only difference between second grade and others is runout and presence of pitch pocket or knots or other non-straight grain stuff... should make no difference with finishing. The first guitar I just got done (going to Afghanistan too) had a second grade top.



I'm sure you'd spend more than $15 on a trip to the lumberyard and sorting the wheat from the chaff... you can cut it to pieces and do many many tests.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Found some! Thanks for the replies.

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George :-)