Solid spruce top - What to consider?

[putnamm]

I'm neck-deep in several builds right now. But yesterday I acquired a piece of sitka spruce that, by my measurements, is large enough on its own to produce eight (8) mandolin soundboards--that is, as solid tops without any ripping our gluing/adhering in the center. So I am thinking about the best way to use it when I do get around to it. From what I can tell the grain is all fairly uniform, though with a piece this size there is obvious variation.

I am just wondering what the pros/cons are to constructing solid tops versus joining them in the middle.

Appreciate any insight anyone cares to offer.

-Mark

[sunburst]

Other than looking slightly different, the main difference in a 1-piece top vs a 2-piece top is; one less glue joint.
(I've made a few mandolins with 1-piece sitka tops and still have material for more. The F5 style mandolin that I have now has a 1-piece "mystery spruce" top.)

[Dick Hutchings]

Takes half the fun out of building