I doubt it'll help, but my last 3 wheelbuilds I used DT superlight 1.8-1.5 spokes from BensCycles ebay store. Actually I have spokes for one more from them. They have limited oddball sizes, but if you're doing a 27" wheel they might have something. Spokes don't come with nipples, I'd gotten lucky and ordered some as a cart filler before Bikewagon changed names. I ordered 100, they sent me 1000.

I too miss Dan's. I have vague recollections of visiting the bmx tracks where they started back in the '80s. Not to race, because my parents wouldn't let me, but to watch. Doh.