Hey! How you doing?

We need photos!!!

That being said, I am a big fan of splice under the barrel band. I have done it a number of times. That being said, that solution isn't for everyone.

You can certainly try to use a different arsenal, but I have had to shave off bits of wood to make them fit. They are close, but there may be some variation.

Generally I do stock replacement only for extreme cases of "bubbification" or damage...