b'When wood first arrives here, we always stick it for quite aThis is quarter sawn Sitka Spruce from windfall trees in Alaska, while, even if it has already been dried. This is several billetsit arrives in big rough lumps and we split it into perfect slabs to of African Blackwood and English Walnut that I had especiallymake internal bracing.The man who supplied this has a rather sawn, and it will stay like this for about a year, before furtherbad reputation in the music world, if he doesnt like you, the drying and then onto the shelves for another year before we usewood you get will be awful. I am well used to dealing with difficult it.people, particularly when I was in the snooker business, and this wood is the finest grade I have ever seen. Opposite page clockwise from top. A retired joiner got inClaro Walnut, grown in the UK. This was just about the whole touch, he had a trailer load of old wood, much of which turnedtree, cut by a very skilled man to achieve maximum yield for out to be Cuban Mahogany. Some of this will make backs andguitar making. We let it dry for two years, before having most sides, but most of it can only be used for perhaps an unusualof it cut into backs and sides, then into the kiln. Some of it has neck. Without such stocks and quantities to choose from, somebeen left in plank form for making beautiful necks. projects are not possible. Wood drying in the kiln.When wood arrives here, its always very old and dry already, but I do like to make sure its conditioned to our own workshop and for its future use. Only one way, do it myself, its a lot more important than you might think. The kiln is very gentle, and the wood will stay there for about three months.Its quite an art to place all those sticks in nice straight lines, but it is important. Paul is our best stickman.144'