I read this thread and then went to the local lumber store a few days later. I was pleased to find some SYP at a price I could afford. However, simple things became a bit complicated. Read the July 12th entry of my BLOG for the full story. I will not a have a beautiful bed like the one pictured in this thread. The 1965 beds were dark black - more of a charcoal black with black strips. I plan to do mine that way.