Thanks everyone,I've been reading everything I get my hands on.I've got Ryan Gill's book,Rattlestick by Gary Davis,all 4 Bowyers bibles, I can't find much on black walnut builds,I believe Tim Backer said it is semi ring porous,so I can use the sapwood or heartwood for the back?come May it will be drying for 1 year,I look forward to this addiction.....Dakota Kid I am in Auburn,20 miles west of syracuse,home of a state prison and a bass pro shop..Burt