My issue is that I'm getting my maple (very straight grained) by sifting through the boards available at home improvement stores, and it is never more than .75 inches thick. Since I am making ELB's, I need to thicken them by laminating. I will (as soon as practical) try a maple/maple lam and see how it goes. Or maybe I'll just give in and try some self flatbows. Thanks for the background info - very nice to hear from people who know what they are doing. Is it still considered a selfbow if you put on a riser?