Thanks for the replies everyone.
Jawge, No I did not cut through the back.....just a stain from the string wax and a blurry pic.
Tattoo Dave, My wife will finish it up however she likes......probably stain and grip wrap but not real fancy.
Ken75, I have used douglas maple a bit in the past and it seems to work quite well. I would like to try heat treating it, but, as is, it seems strong in tension......likes a crowned back/flat belly. I think it is also called mountain maple. It is softer and lighter than vine maple, but grows in my general area(within a couple hours drive).
Lee Slikkers, it is not silver maple(acer saccharinum) or sugar maple(acer saccharum)the latin name for douglas maple is acer glabrum. Seems to me to fall in between silver maple and vine maple for SG(from what I have read). I have used sugar maple (in board form) and it works OK. I found that the maples I have used take a fair bit of set if flat backed and bellied, but work better with a crowned(or trapped back). For this reason I'd like to try heat treating when I get some more wood to experiment with.........I used up all my staves and have to travel a ways to get more
Thanks again fellas,
Darcy