Very cool idea Eric. I've got no experience with splicing, mostly because I haven't spent enough time figuring out how to do it by hand, or with a bandsaw. In TBB 1 they describe a jig you can make for splicing on the bandsaw, but it's a little vague. If anyone knows a good thread for how to make one please let me know.
Thickness is reduced without taking off too much. Did it with by making lots of weird cuts with the bandsaw.
Here's a few different angles...