Appalachian Red Spruce Mandolin Top Carving Billets Tonewood "Adirondack"

Description

This is an experimental 'variation-style' listing for Red Spruce (Picea rubens) F-style Mandolin billets.
Below is a description of the 6 options in the drop-down menu:
2nd Growth Grade 3 -- These are akin to what you may know as Grade A or Common Grade tops and will contain one or more of the following: compression or 'hardline' grain, light fungal staining, uneven grain spacing, and/or curved grain.
2nd Growth Grade 2 -- Our second grade tops are less likely to have more than one of the previously listed 'flaws' and will most often be straight-grained with less or no compression.
2nd Growth Grade 1 -- This is the top tier for our second growth billets. Straight, white, evenly-spaced grain is guaranteed.
Old Growth Red Spruce: Old Growth trees are those that grew up in competition with surrounding trees for rain, sunlight, and other nutrients. In our experience, the vast majority of Red Spruce in the modern instrument market is Second Growth, or "New Growth" wood. Second Growth forest is typically what remains and develops once an area has been logged. These trees grow faster and show wide grain like that of a plantation-grown tree (usually less than 15 growth rings per inch). Almost all of the spruce forest remaining in this country is Second Growth, and the small portion of existing Old Growth is mostly in protected forests and parks. This makes Old Growth Red Spruce not only one of the most sought-after tonewoods, but also among the most rare.
Old Growth Grade 3 -- The worst of the best! Our Grade 3 Old Growth tops will show some of the same flaws as the Second Growth wood. The biggest difference is in grain spacing.
Old Growth Grade 2 --  Likely to show some faint discoloration or less consistent grain width than Grade 1. A great option for traditional colored finishes!
Old Growth Grade 1 -- "Master Grade" by any account. I'd recommend as little coloring as possible to show off this wood!
Please contact us with any specific requests, e.g., heavy compression (à la Gilchrist), color stains with straight grain, no color with curvy grain, etc..
Photo #2
gives some insight into our radial-sawing process which ensures vertical grain and a lack of Runout in most every set. This method is superior to Quartersawing.
If you're interested in learning more about the harvest and processing of this wood, you can follow
this link
.
ATTN: If you have already or plan to bid on another of our items and wish to consolidate for shipping, please withhold payment until all auctions have ended, and request a combined invoice!