rosconey,
I think you hit the nail on the head. The best solution is the simplest solution and your idea of a slanted wood board is perfect (is it pretentious to say "elegant in it's simplicity"?). Chris at timbernation offered to do an 18"x15"x2" maple platform slanted down 5/8" to the other end for $100. At $200 a pair with shipping included I'm paying less than half what I originally was going to pay and it will probably work out better. When it arrives I'll post my impressions.
Thanks for the idea.
Howard