Flamed maple tops VS plain maple tops

[purestmonk]

Hi guys

It seems like flamed maple tops are more sought after these days.
I wonder what are differences in tone etc?
some input will b appreciated!

[Lawn Jockey]

No difference in tone.

Plain tops are a sexy beast baby!

[JimH]

In my humble opinion no, there is no tonal difference. perhaps people think plain sound better because really they sound just as good and are seemingly less sought after - but I think that's psycho/wallet acoustics at work. I can see people saying they're more structurally sound but to me there are too many variables and it's too small a difference to worry about.

[XKnight]

They look nicer to some and cost more for all.

[Help!I'maRock!]

i like plaintops.

[fullerplast]

I wouldn't have thought there was a predictable difference either, but I've changed that opinion.

I posted a link in the "old wood" thread a while back that showed a study using acoustic resonance imaging was able to positively identify figured species (both birdseye and flame) from the non-figured wood, based strictly on the resonance of the wood. To me, that's pretty convincing evidence that there is a difference.....better or worse is another issue entirely.

[Blue4Now]

Since i prefer golt top LP's, I guess I am more in the plain top camp.

[Sniper-V]

I got love for Flame, Plain, and Gold.

The tone can be in any of them.

[sqadan]

Originally Posted by fullerplast

I wouldn't have thought there was a predictable difference either, but I've changed that opinion.

I posted a link in the "old wood" thread a while back that showed a study using acoustic resonance imaging was able to positively identify figured species (both birdseye and flame) from the non-figured wood, based strictly on the resonance of the wood. To me, that's pretty convincing evidence that there is a difference.....better or worse is another issue entirely.

This makes sense since the structure of the wood is different.

I'm sure there is a difference - but is it a difference that a human can detect all other factors being equal? I doubt it.

but my eyes can tell the difference! :BEER

[stuagu]

mark knopfler reckons the plain ones sound better but i cant see how? i like the flame ones & the plain ones but with the plain ones i think you look more at the design of the guitar rather than the wood.

[schmerf]

I prefer plain tops. I like flame on classical instruments.

[bynt]

I gotta chime in too. I didn't know so many people liked plain tops. I'm just afraid to really "play" super quilted guitars for one, and I think they are a bit over the top. I get it, and can see why people like them so much, but I'd rather have plain any day of the week. Just damn sexy!!!

[NatDeroxL7]

I have had some sick flame and quilt tops.

In the end, the one guitar I am keeping, the one with the most excellent tone and playabilty, is a Gibson R7 goldtop. I heard some of these guys from early on actually have some hidden flame tops under them, but I don't care to find out, I'd be afraid of a re-fin changing the tone!

Close your eyes, you turn out happier that way.

[purestmonk]

but i mean ... what about tone-wise?? any difference?
on the warmoth website, it seems like plain maple is a bit brighter

[tfancil]

For me plain tops are for gigging and flame tops are for hanging on the wall I've owned some really nice 10 top guitars but I tend to spend more time cleaning them then I actually play them! I don't have the kind of extra cash to be dinging up a $4K guitar.
tfancil