I can't get a wood bodied Benz anymore

I had Soundsmith retip a Benz Ruby earlier this year. The turnaround time was less than 4 weeks. I haven't installed it yet, so can't say about sound quality.

If you get it retipped, and by this I mean have the stylus replaced, as Drrsutliff states above, it should not have a change to the sound assuming you use the same stylus profile.

If you change the cantilever to a different material and replace both the stylus and cantilever then it would have an effect on the sound.

Soundsmith usually turns around items in 6 - 8 weeks. You shoudl ask them directly. I have never heard of or had them take 6 - 8 months to repair an item.

Cardas myrtle wood is a benz ruby in a myrtle wood body. It is still available.