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Think about bridge plate grain direction. Frank Ford, who has repaired more guitars than any of us will build favors running the grain with the grain of the top...

I laminate them with a layer of maple...longitudinal grain, and rosewood...lateral grain.

Also, regard the bridge as the largest chunk of bracing on the top.

[QUOTE=McCollum]Bill, I'm in Colfax, Hank Mauel is in auburn, Harvey Leach is 10 minutes from me as is michael Lewis.
So you have alot of resources within an hours drive!
Lance[/QUOTE]

Wow, small world!  That's very cool -

A good buddy of mine has an early Mauel, he loves it.  He actually introduced me to Hank very briefly at Healdsburg.

In my opinion I'd toss the top. One of the first, and most important things I
check for in a top is stiffness and weight. If it's not stiff and light I don't
even care to mess with it. Lifes too short to use crummy wood.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

[QUOTE=John Mayes]In my opinion I'd toss the top. One of the first, and most important things I
check for in a top is stiffness and weight. If it's not stiff and light I don't
even care to mess with it. Lifes too short to use crummy wood.[/QUOTE]

I put it in the mail back to LMI today.  They were very accomodating to my request for a replacement.

Thank you to everone for the input - was been very helpful.  Was actually interesting to run into this "Hmmm... not sure about this..." event to turn it over in my head.

"Life's too short to use crummy wood" - OLF bumper sticker?