thanks for the ideas. i'll carry on and see what happens.

: Try gluing an 1/8" thick strip on top, then sanding flush. I've done
: this sort of thing, and it comes out pretty good. Only you will know . . .
: .

: Also, recite the mantra: "You can't build an ugly stripper, you can't
: build an ugly stripper, you can't . . . ."

: No matter how many hickeys you have in the final boat, it will still stop
: people in their tracks.

: --S