Yes, I am aware of that.. When I first started buying from Gilmer about 15 years ago, I did not build instruments, so I was steered to Jim. Those guys have wood! sometimes over the years it has seemed like they really did not care if they sold it or not, at least not to me. I have spent a lot of time speaking on the phone with Jim, and less in person. He knows what I am looking for. On several occasions, I have placed an order on the website, he has called me to tell me details that I might not like, cancelling the order. This is after calling him to discuss in detail, every board I purchased, for quite a few boards, as my needs are very specific. Jim knows wood too... I am super happy with every almost every transaction I do with them, Jim is my eyes on the ground there... but, I will call Mark and ask him about Curly Maple, I will tell him you sent me.
Ironically, an order from Gilmer was just sitting on my table saw when I just went downstairs to my shop, a blank of Spanish Cedar which will make 4 uke necks, a nice piece of Cocobolo, and a really cool piece of Black Mesquite.... I wish I was building ukes full time, cuz this Mesquite board would make cool ukes.. but, it will make a really cool turntable too. It is already split, coated in shellac, and about to go in the rack.
That Maple is split now too, and about to be edged/ sized into it's 'purpose/ shape' Not sure how many uke sets I will save, because the turntables made from it will sell way before they are finished. People love curly Maple. I will save some for sure though, it is way too pretty... Someday I may regret not turning it all into uke sets....
