I have found what Alan is saying to be very true. You really have to test the stiffness, and trust your findings. White Spruce hybridizes with other species(Sitka,Engleman,Red and so forth). Look at where it is growing, what trees are also growing in its range, and how it grew(these can all give you clues as to what you may get). I have found weak Sitka, and extremely stiff Sitka(Alan's comment on density would certainly have been spot on in those cases)in the long grain stiffness. I have found Port Orford Cedar that was average density, average longrain stiffness, but crossgrain stiffness exceeded fairly stiff Lutzzi or Sitka(to a notable degree, actually very close to the same stiffness cross grain as long). These things really vary from piece to piece. One other quirky thing about that POC, was that it had extremely wide growth rings, definitely not old growth(kinda goes against common grading for desirable qualities). If the set feels good that is what counts. The visual grading and species are fine to consider, but all theory aside it is the strength and density that count most.
Being able to select the right set for the guitar(width, length, strings, playing style) in terms of long grain and cross grain seems to be the real trick. I think it is pretty easy to get used to making sense of the properties of the soundboard(just keep flexing or testing and taking notes). A whole lot of paying attention to what the guys who have decades of experience building different designs, then drawing on that to point you in the right general direction. Seems like a good approach to me.
Peace,Rich
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