Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Bending for the forearm contour shouldn't be a problem for a pro - the top is usually 1/8", but with thicker tops the luthier will sometimes rout a triangular channel on the underside at the bend point to make it easier to bend. Sanding isn't ideal as you have to take off more of the core wood and end up with much more top than usual.
Ah thanks for the advice ?
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
As to tops: Try Luthier's Mercantile www.lmii.com
:-\ They didn't have Flamed Maple in their tops section, are there no possible local suppliers? Also their tops are AAA and I was hoping to be a major retard and go more for like AAAAA ?
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Double staining (or more) increases the contrast in the figure at the expense of some depth and subtle detail.
Darn, I had this fear cause depth is really what I'm after. I guess maybe doing a single stain and then seeing how I feel about that before taking it to double etc may be the best compromise. I had noticed that the one thing PRS seem to lack on these tops was depth and I was just hoping that was cause it was a way of making a AA grade look AAA kinda thing and wouldn't have too much of an effect on higher grades but I'd rather save the depth, nothing is more mesmorising than a depth filled maple top ?
