Thick 2" maple amp platform--couple or isolate?

That's a great question, Krell_man. I opted for unfinished but only because I preferred that look. I know that Chris at Timbernation finishes many of his amp stands. Ask him, but I think his finshed stain leaves only the thinnest of layers on the surface, so the amp feet would not slide.

KrellMan,

From what I've read, some people don't like to use things like tung oil which looks great but seeps into the wood, thus "deadening" it and affecting the sound.

I've heard people say a varnish, shellac or a poly coating might be better, and I think you can add a bit of stain to those before applying them.

These are all ideas I haven't tested myself, but have just heard about. Hopefully some of the woodworkers and master carpenters will chime in. I have great respect for these artisans and craftsmen.

I can understand how the amount and type of varnish used on a violin might change its tone a tad, I assume by altering is resonant frequency. I can't begin to understand how the type of finish on a two inch thich slab of hard wood is going to creat any audible difference, including changing its resonant frequency.

If I had to speculate, I would think that you'd want the wood to absorb vibrations from the amp and floor, acting sort of as a buffer. As such, it would seem to me that the most aborbent finish would be no finish at all. The harder the finish the less it will absorb high frequency vibrations, in fact at some point if the wood or its surface is hard enuf it will ring like glass or stone. JMHO.

What about a sandwiched platform: Corion, 2 inch maple, and an MDF or high grade 3/4 inch marine plywood layer in the middle? Or some other variety of heterogeneous layers, possibly bonded with epoxy.

I used 2" maple block for years and it was terrific. I do agree to use decouplers under the amps and my strongest recommendation is to consider the Aurios Pro MIB. IMO there isn't a better one on the market