Unfortunate about the tonal quality of Bird's Eye as I find it the most visually striking of all woods. A buddy of mine used to buy them standing and bury them for three years. The start of "rot" (just a colour change along the grain in spots) was amazing. He made some wicked guitars, mandolins, fiddles.

I haven't talked to him in twenty years. Must try to track him down.

Excellent thread.