The ash stand was all pretty much the same colour and straight. Arrived earlier than expected and packaged nealty and securely. This is the 4th one I have had now and they have all been top quality. The champhers are crisp and the spigot on the posts matches the holes in the base perfectly. The posts however do not come sanded and unless you have a lathe this is a bind doing it by hand as they are slightly rough off the copy lathe.