Most attractive top woods [Archive]

fretnot

07-13-2005, 08:56 PM

Being blessed with so many awesome builders that build such unique and awesome guitars, it seems like every day you see a new guitar that you want. My question is: What is the most aesthetically pleasing wood for an electric guitar top?

DerekMinnich

07-13-2005, 09:27 PM

Flamed maple is absolutely beautiful, but there is a lot of variation. Flamed red wood and quilted mahogony is also fabulous looking. Koa is nice. I hate quilted maple personally.

decay-o-caster

07-13-2005, 09:47 PM

Birch. Oh my - just breathtaking in a warm translucent finish.

r9player

07-13-2005, 10:21 PM

You didn't mention ... Acoustic or Electric so here are some pics of tops of two guitars in the making for me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/maplewood001.jpg
Spalted Flamed Maple

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/Toppartfin3.jpg
Can you say bookmatched Bearclaw!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/Toppartfin2-2.jpg

realmpel

07-14-2005, 12:03 AM

I dig the koa. I especially like the variety of koa. Tight flames, wide quilty rolls, and every color under the sun. Good stuff.

~Kev

Bryan T

07-14-2005, 12:12 AM

If I can convince the builder to use it, I'm planning to custom order a guitar with a Macassar Ebony top. It can be absolutely breath-taking, but isn't used very often on electric guitar tops, though I've played a number of acoustics that use it for the backs and sides.

http://www.sheppardguitars.com/Minstrel%20Mac%20Back.JPG

Bryan

FretFire

07-14-2005, 12:40 AM

I really like the looks of Zebrawood.

DamianP

07-14-2005, 02:18 AM

The type that has paint on it.:eek:

oscar100

07-14-2005, 04:31 AM

koa

koa

koa

koa

you get the idea

and i also love flamed redwood.......and braz rosewood -

check em out -

they are all going to be thorns

burle maple too

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/paxconsultancy@btinternet.com/album?.dir=fa40

MOJO

07-14-2005, 07:15 AM

i've never met a piece of figured wood i didn't like :D

impossible to answer for me with conviction.. but if i had to say something....Probably Koa..no 2 pieces ever look exactly the same and each piece seems to have it's own unique character

Dave Orban

07-14-2005, 07:19 AM

Personally, I prefer a *lightly* flamed maple... of course, the Baker I just bought is anything but lightly flamed... LOL!

I also like spruce, and lightly ribboned mahogany. They actually appeal to me more than any maple...

onehandfretting

07-14-2005, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Bryan T
If I can convince the builder to use it, I'm planning to custom order a guitar with a Macassar Ebony top. It can be absolutely breath-taking, but isn't used very often on electric guitar tops, though I've played a number of acoustics that use it for the backs and sides.

http://www.sheppardguitars.com/Minstrel%20Mac%20Back.JPG

Bryan

Hey Bryan,

I had the same idea you've got about an ebony top. Not to discourage you (hopefully you've already got the wood), but I gave up after running into one dead end after another, trying to source ebony big enough to work as a top. I tried countless supplier and lumber yards all over the US and got the same answer: "all we have is stock large enough for fretboards." I was told that the supply of ebony (especially gaboon) has dried up.

Hopefully you've had better luck than I had. I'd love to see it when you're done. Please post pics once it's complete.

jamess

07-14-2005, 10:40 AM

R9Player, your bearclaw acoustic top is incredible. It's very rare to find a piece of spruce that figured. Who's building it?

Like some of the others posted here, I am mesmerized by too many beautiful woods to pick a solid favorite. I love cocobolo and macassar ebony is stunning. Katalox is another figured beauty and it is naturally purplish. A deep quilt maple always gets my attention too.

Ron Thorn is currently building me a masterpiece with a 1-pc quilted redwood top that is out of this world (IMO). Sorry, I don't have pics yet but will soon enough.

Mother Nature does it right in fine wood.

onehandfretting

07-14-2005, 10:43 AM

Hey oscar100,

This is gorgeous!

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/41c57b33z606ec3b3/fa40/__sr_/4bbc.jpg?phBmp1CBL_s76zq_

(edit) Figured out what it is: Brazilian Rosewood. Awesome!:dude

-Bobby

Bryan T

07-14-2005, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by onehandfretting
Not to discourage you (hopefully you've already got the wood), but I gave up after running into one dead end after another, trying to source ebony big enough to work as a top.

I've got a few sources for wood, but I did a quick check of Allied Lutherie's site and they have several sets of Macassar intended for acoustic guitar use. I'm not 100% sure it is in stock, but they do have specific pictures of sets of wood that I think are for sale.

This set is intended for thes sides of an acoustic, so it probably isn't wide enough to do a top, but they also have several sets for backs that would definitely be wide enough.

http://www.alliedlutherie.com/images/4a3.jpg

Bryan

Jim Soloway

07-14-2005, 11:18 AM

r9player

07-14-2005, 11:19 AM

Hi Jamess the guitar is a Barbarossa 000 with cutaway uses some gorgeos Walnut on the back and has a special double medieval dragon inlay (more pics) and slotted headstock.
Luthier is Jim Blilie
Here is his site, he has some really great bear claw and walnut available still.
Barbarossa Guitars (http://www.barbarossa-guitars.com/)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/back2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/complobl4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/frontcompl2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/rosette2.jpg

pesocaster

07-14-2005, 11:22 AM

something about Koa......

Hamer Mirage 1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/pesocaster/3ad04815.jpg

Bryan T

07-14-2005, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by Jim Soloway
Gorgeous. I'm looking for a couple pieces for our fall batch. Given the success we've had with rosewood, cocobolo, and bubinga, I think macassar should make a great top for a Swan.

Glad to hear it, as you were the builder I was referring to. I'm looking forward to trying out your guitars at the Santa Monica show.

Bryan

edgarallanpoe

07-14-2005, 12:02 PM

Redwood...I love it. Big, wide, flame, and a sound that is every bit as beautiful as it looks...

Far right...my Nik Huber Redwood Dolphin II. One piece Redwood over Korina...yeah baby.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/edgarallanpoe/SmallHubers.jpg

Dan Desy

07-14-2005, 12:32 PM

I'm on a Bubinga kick right now, but that should be satisfied within the next few weeks. :)

If it wasn't for that, I would have voted Spalted Maple.

eric102673

07-14-2005, 02:22 PM

I tend to have a thing for solid 1 or 2 piece bodies, sans-tops on guitars I love the tone of. I like a solid limba or mahogany a lot.

I love the look of koa tops, especially the softer more fluid flamed ones. I've got a solid koa Thorn body in the works at the moment. No glued on top. Should be cool. :D

-e.

Lex Luthier

07-14-2005, 02:27 PM

I have some 140 year old air dried Redwood that has 1" wide curls in it that just looks sick.

moreeye

07-14-2005, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by r9player
Hi Jamess the guitar is a Barbarossa 000 with cutaway uses some gorgeos Walnut on the back and has a special double medieval dragon inlay (more pics) and slotted headstock.

If you wanna see some gorgeous walnut you may wanna check this (http://www.denli.ch)

CS'56

07-14-2005, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by r9player
You didn't mention ... Acoustic or Electric so here are some pics of tops of two guitars in the making for me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/maplewood001.jpg
Spalted Flamed Maple

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/Toppartfin3.jpg
Can you say bookmatched Bearclaw!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/Toppartfin2-2.jpg

I Love that Bear Claw:dude

kealiikai

07-14-2005, 10:17 PM

I vote........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/PRSKILLER/100_0043.jpg :dude

Urkoman

07-15-2005, 01:04 AM

Spalted all the way

Ian Anderson

07-15-2005, 01:56 AM

Ian Anderson

07-15-2005, 01:59 AM

Flamed mahogany gets my vote.

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_1480_p370.jpg

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_1480_p368.jpg

HHB

07-15-2005, 05:25 AM

love that figured mahogany, also sounds best :o

http://www.bigblockdodge.com/taurus.jpg

Scott Peterson

07-15-2005, 06:26 AM

Koa GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD. :D

Jim Soloway

07-15-2005, 06:28 AM

As long as we're on figured mahogany, this is the one that I've been playing since January.

http://jimsoloway.com/Photos/GuitarProject/E063Top1.jpg

moreeye

07-15-2005, 07:59 AM

Sausage Quilt : Bad name good looks :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/cmoray/nb3.jpg

Schroeder

07-15-2005, 11:39 AM

There is something very appealing to me about "flilt"!! The wavey/quilty flame like this one... The original line of production PRS Santanas had tops like this.

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL208/995811/7355317/102665403.jpg

johnmfer

07-15-2005, 11:41 AM

Figured redwood topped tele body I'm currently working on turning into a complete guitar.

http://members.cox.net/~john.lipfert/redwoodtele/pictures/000Header.jpg

Schroeder

07-15-2005, 11:42 AM

Schroeder

07-15-2005, 11:49 AM

The quilt on this Thorn makes me feel funny... HOLY SMOKES!

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/images/080_20.jpg

sosomething

07-15-2005, 12:38 PM

I thought more about my answer to this pole than any in recent memory. This was a hard decision!! Figured koa, bubinga, and spalted maple are my favorite natural-finished topwoods. I can't choose between them.

In the end I went with the classic: flamed maple. It's gorgeous natural, but takes a stain beautifully too and IMO looks vastly better in a burst finish than quilt does.

fretnot

07-15-2005, 12:54 PM

I am glad I got people thinking on this one! There have been a lot more "others" than I expected...but with so many cool woods, why not.

:D

DerekMinnich

07-15-2005, 03:42 PM

By the way, I forgot to say that I would never put Spalted maple on ANY guitar......it's not a figured wood....it's a diseased wood. If you like the way it looks and HAVE to use it...it better be a super thin veneer because from what I understand...its a very dead sounding piece of wood to work with.

John Catto

07-15-2005, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Ian Anderson
Bryan, I did a guitar in Macassar Ebony. It looked pretty stunning.
Unfortunatly I don't have a finished shot.

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showalbum.php?aid=2137&uuid=5

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2137_p21250.jpg

Wow Ian, that looks sharp! I can just imagine what it looked like once it was finished:dude Did it get a wrap tail? Was it for you?

More on the little seen figured Mahogany front, I built this guitar last year. The mahogany I used on the top was cut about 40 years ago for the veneer trade.

http://www.mondocatto.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/model1web/images/body-1.jpg

scott

07-15-2005, 07:32 PM

My Favorite type of flame

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/brianstrad2/burst3.jpg

www.heatleyguitars.com

fretnot

07-15-2005, 07:38 PM

My Favorite type of flame

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/brianstrad2/burst3.jpg

Mine too!!! ;)

tms13pin

07-15-2005, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by DerekMinnich
By the way, I forgot to say that I would never put Spalted maple on ANY guitar......it's not a figured wood....it's a diseased wood. If you like the way it looks and HAVE to use it...it better be a super thin veneer because from what I understand...its a very dead sounding piece of wood to work with.

Lots of claims have been made about flames and quilts (and even
birdseye) being less "stable" than hard-rock maple.

My spalted axes sound anything but "dead" and they're
both hollow/semi-hollow.

A(n) (almost) fully hollow Carvin HF2:

http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~tms/fatboy/case_close.jpg

and a semi-hollow Gadow Custom Hollow:

http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~tms/gadow/body2.jpg

I'm not sure what Ryan did at Gadow, but Carvin soaked it in a
hardener because of the softness and thickness (or thiness!)
of the top. I doubt many have played a Holdsworth here, but
it's a very resonant axe. Anything but "dead"! I also doubt
many have played a Custom Hollow. You're really missing out!

But, I'm a lover of flames too:

http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~tms/bmg/c90p_13/body2.jpg

You just gotta respect the natural beauty of your wood, and
leave it "au natural"!

--Tom

Ian Anderson

07-16-2005, 01:29 AM

I built that macassar ebony topped guitar a few years ago for a guy who wanted to finish it himself. That picture was taken pretty much as I sent it to him. Unfortunatly he was talking about oiling it. I should try to track him down and see how it turned out.

decay-o-caster

07-16-2005, 03:55 PM

Actually, I like rosewood for top wood, too! :)

http://articulateimages.com/PublicPhotos/PublicGearPics/RosieGood101Small.jpg

KHK

07-17-2005, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by DerekMinnich
By the way, I forgot to say that I would never put Spalted maple on ANY guitar......it's not a figured wood....it's a diseased wood. If you like the way it looks and HAVE to use it...it better be a super thin veneer because from what I understand...its a very dead sounding piece of wood to work with.

These are all beautiful...what horrible choices, huh? I voted spalted because the thread was pick the most attractive.

Just to clarify, I think spalting is caused by fungus that invades a dead tree as it decomposes and not by an infection or disease in a live tree. The wood is very soft because the fungus attacks and breaks down the wood fibers and stains the wood as it goes. The more the wood is spalted, the more the fungus has been at work. I wouldn't think that it would be a good choice because though soft, it is not intact like a spruce or other soft wood. There are voids left by the decay and in theory, it shouldn't resonate well. Sounds like talented folks have found ways of compensating for the decay and have achieved great results. I love the way it looks and have used it for a few of my wood projects (not instrument related).

tms13pin, those two spalted tops look really sweet.

jcground

07-18-2005, 03:00 PM

As I understand it, spalted wood that a luthier would use for a top is stabilized by sopping it in epoxy or some other agent. Raw spalted wood tends to be punky and difficult to work with. Stabilized wood can also be problematic, because the stuff you use on the wood can make it much harder than "normal" wood.

When properly done, I think spalted tops sound fine and look stunning.

That said, I'm a sucker for birds eye, so that got my vote.

joek86

07-18-2005, 04:01 PM

How would you guy's classify this top?http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/joek86/3.jpg

KHK

07-18-2005, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by jcground
When properly done, I think spalted tops sound fine and look stunning.

No doubt, I don't think these guys would use spalted maple if the results didn't measure up. Beautiful stuff...

Schroeder

07-19-2005, 02:42 AM

Originally posted by joek86
How would you guy's classify this top?http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/joek86/3.jpg

Quilt maple. Looks like it is still a bit rough on the surface and oiled. The figure will pop when it is finished.

BluWonton

07-19-2005, 02:50 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v55/tonejunkee/RedDolcasebig.jpg

My Strad, a Nik Huber Dolphin. 1 piece Redwood top chambered/hollow and the Snakewood board doesn't hurt. An experimental project that Nik tried and it was a success :cool:

Ian Anderson

07-19-2005, 02:59 AM

Anyone mention ash yet?

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/3414_p46638.jpg

moreeye

07-19-2005, 03:14 AM

Originally posted by Ian Anderson
Anyone mention ash yet?
Very Beautiful!!

baald

07-19-2005, 10:46 PM

hmmmm...speaking of tops, i'm contemplating ordering a Koll with black limba back and either ziricote or macasser ebony top (with fingerboard and headplate to match).

either that or i'm asking for a "TV Vanilla" white limba back with orange top.

decisions, decisions....

baald

Dan Desy

07-19-2005, 10:48 PM

I already voted for Bubinga, but I figured I needed visual-aids...

http://home.comcast.net/~ddesy/images/DesyFinishedBodyTop.jpg

:dude

fretnot

07-20-2005, 07:45 AM

nice top!

r9player

07-22-2005, 09:03 PM

Here is a better idea how my spalt top will look
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/TopBodyOnlyNoFinish.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/SideContourBodyOnlyNoFinish.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/pkcconalso/Soulmate/SideContour_2_BodyOnlyNoFinish.jpg

KHK

07-23-2005, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by r9player
Here is a better idea how my spalt top will look

Gorgeous top. The nice thing about spalted wood is that every piece is truly unique. Unlike curly, birdseye or quilted which tend to have similar characteristics. Visually, it doesn't get any nicer than this top.

Ian Anderson

07-23-2005, 02:06 AM

r9 are those flames or pantograph marks? Looks like a killer piece!

r9player

07-23-2005, 05:09 AM

All real flame I'm told, didn't see it in personal just the pics.

tonedaddy

07-23-2005, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by r9player
[B]Hi Jamess the guitar is a Barbarossa 000 with cutaway uses some gorgeos Walnut on the back and has a special double medieval dragon inlay (more pics) and slotted headstock.
Luthier is Jim Blilie
Here is his site, he has some really great bear claw and walnut available still.
Barbarossa Guitars (http://www.barbarossa-guitars.com/)Very nice work and wood, r9, and very nice pricing, too, from what appears in the pics!
Congrats!

tthompso7

07-24-2005, 08:21 PM

Korina, it's not "top wood" but it's simple, spanky, all tone...

http://www.hipomelet.com/images/Gear/Hamer/Hamer%20Korina%20Jr%20004.jpg

Stike

07-25-2005, 09:17 PM

Metalflake dammit!

decay-o-caster

07-25-2005, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by Stike
Metalflake dammit!

But you can't get any old-growth metalflake anymore, and the treaty grown stuff just doesn't cut it, tone-wise. If we'd only been more aware of sustainable growth of metalflake back in the day, we'd have plenty for all of us now! :(

;)

hawkeyeinexile

07-25-2005, 11:38 PM

plain old mahogany. the older (& lighter), the better ;)

:cool:

fretnot

03-01-2006, 10:44 AM

Anyone have any experience with Ziricote, either for a fretboard or other part of a guitar?

waxnsteel

03-01-2006, 11:52 AM

http://www.magdonmusic.com/guitars/PRS/images/guitars/TMRWBRZBMQ491c.jpg
I think this is pretty cool.

EunosFD

03-01-2006, 12:47 PM

Metalflake dammit!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/473711002/1473264907075617209DiDIUB

Woo hoo! :dude:AOK

Scott French

03-01-2006, 02:33 PM

I think Claro Walnut is my all time favorite, but latetly figured red gum eucalyptus has been at the top of my list.

With just a coat of sealer this stuff explodes!
http://www.scottfrench.com/images/linked/euc.jpg

EVO

03-01-2006, 02:37 PM

My personal favorite lately has been quilted mahogany
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL19/1984863/9269632/131177573.jpg

martyncrew

03-01-2006, 06:34 PM

does black phenolic count?

Serious Poo

03-01-2006, 07:01 PM

It's a REALLY tough choice, but I think I'd have to go with Burl Maple. Depending on the stains used, it can come out truly spectacular.

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9618/ps983back6iz.jpg

http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/9871/prsc22artbmcu3ub.jpg

MOJO

03-01-2006, 07:20 PM

Sausage Quilt : Bad name good looks :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/cmoray/nb3.jpg

Shame this builder just disappeared..i really liked his stuff..

Can't think of the Brand name again?

abergdahl

03-02-2006, 09:04 AM

Flamed Birch, for over the top look:
http://web.telia.com/~u89404043/bilder/duke9liten.jpg

For an understated classy look NOTHING beats spruce (not to mention TONE);
http://www.beggat.com/planket/abergdahl/ChapinHawk/Bild165.jpg

bailnout

03-02-2006, 09:15 AM

I voted for "quilt" in the poll but I don't think it sounds the best. When I went to have my dream guitar built I went with what is right now the lead horse in the race.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/bailnout/J.jpg

To see this one in person it will nearly give you motion sickness.

hendrix2430

03-02-2006, 09:23 AM

I don't really care, in general for fancy tops, but this one is just beautiful. Possibly the best looking guitar I've seen. Only problem: I'd be too scared to play it, which is why I prefer more basic looking instruments.

http://www.huber-italia.net/images/guits/redwood.jpg

For reference...this is my type of guitar, and almost as beautiful IMO. ;)

http://groshguitars.com/images/albu/81-rc7.jpg

Mike_C

03-02-2006, 09:23 AM

I voted quilt but I'm really split 50/50 between quilt and flame maple.
the flame
http://www.hamermuseum.com/forum/uploads/1138234639/gallery_21_6_3648.jpg

the quilt

http://www.hamermuseum.com/forum/uploads/1136379881/med_gallery_21_6_322519.jpg