Sitka Spruce Sources

Fellow builders

I am not sure that all, or even most builders know that the coveted, Sitka Spruce, is also highly sought after by certain individuals in the aviation world. Sitka is the best, if not the only species allowed in many older aircraft for structural parts such as wing and aileron spars. The Federal Administration governs is use through regulations, including military specifications for the wood, which are extremely demanding.

I suspect you all are wondering where this is leading and how it has to do with dulcimer building....... Being a pilot and restorer of a vintage aircraft has brought me into contact with the sources that provide that wonderful Sitka to builders and restoration specialists. In fact, my recent bowed psaltery projects used some sitka "scrap" in their construction for braces and back and soundboard. With that background, I introduce to you all, two companies that specialize in providing aircraft quality sitka spruce to the aviation community, namely Aircraft Spruce and Speciality http://www.aircraftspruce.com/ and Wicks Aircraft Supply http://www.wicksaircraft.com/index.html . Wicks, in fact, was/is a division of the Wicks Organ Company, making and restoring pipe organs for churches... they know their sitka, and personally are my favorite for the wood.

So, the next time you are looking for a beautiful piece of sitka spruce, whether 3 feet or 18 feet long (my airplane's spars) you might want to check them out. And no, I do not have any financial attachments to either company, just positive experiences in dealing with both of them over the years.