I don't seem to be able to pass up B, C maybe even D grade tops with interesting grains or colours. Recently I got a couple of nasty $20 sitka spruce tops that seem to have sap wood in the tight grain side and I guess what people are calling bear claw marks. They seem to tap much like the much more expensive aaa spruce top I have but a notably stiffer to flex across the grain.
What I'm wondering is if would be a problem to leave the pale wood (which I guess is sap wood) on the top? I know that is some soft timbers the sap wood is prone to breaking down, is this the case with sitka? The sides are wide enough that I could cut it away if needed, but I kind of like it.
Cheers
James
