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I am just about to start my first steel string build. I have built a parlor guitar, and a soprano ukulele so I have some idea of what I am getting into. I purchaced an uncerviced kit from LMI and had a question about the top I recieved. It was sold as AAA top (LMI says it compares to other supliers AAAA tops), but when I recieved it, it had what I think to be runout in several places. It is situated in such a way that it is impossible to not include it in the part of the top I need to use. I am posting some pictures as well and was wondering if this is typical of the grade of wood I bought. If not, should I consider sending it back to LMI for a replacement? I paid a lot for this top, and I want to maximize whatever positive results I achieve in this build. I had posted this in the Kitbuilding 101 forum, but I read on an earlier thread that not too many people frequent there. This is my first post, so if I have put it in the wrong place I apologize in advance.

Thanks for your input,
Nathan

Post a pic from the side. I'm not sure what I'm looking at there but I agree it looks off in that one spot. Have you tried sanding it at all or is that just how it looked when it arrived?

If it were me and I had any doubts I would send it back and request another.

Difficult to say from a photograph. I've had the odd top that has exhibited similar characteristics with the grain seesawing through the surface. Easier to tell in real life because the 'flame' will dance as you move the top in relation to your eye.
One stroke with a hand Plane will tell you straight away but that will probably mean that they can refuse to take it back.

I can't tell from the picture, but I have received some very nice tops from LMI and I'm sure they would exchange it if you're not satisfied...

_________________
Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Thanks for the responses. The pictures I posted where just how I received the top. I just gave it a light sanding with 180 grit, and am seeing some of the suspected area almost change color (not significantly) when I hold the piece at different angles. I have also noticed that when I sand one direction, it makes the surface somewhat rougher than when I sand the other way. This is only in the area that I posted pictures of. I think I will be able to cut it out so that this patch will be at the very front of the upper bout, by where the neck attaches to the body. The top has very tight grain, is perfectly quartered, and displays the silking patterns throughout the entire piece. Now I am not sure if I should just use this top and accept this variation, or go through the hassle of shipping it back some 2000 miles to LMI. What would you do?

Nathan

Yeah, that sure looks like a wobble in the grain. In practice, it probably wouldn't cause any problems, but it's not an AAA top.
LMI do grade conservatively. This one probably slipped through. Just let them know and I'm sure you'll get taken care of.