Museum quality wood?

[soli528]

I was reading a thread in the guitar emporium that mentioned "Museum Quality birdseye maple." For me this is one of those 'compared to what' kind of scenarios. I mean what does "museum quality" mean in reference to a piece of maple? What museum?
I could understand that title being given to a piece of vintage gear (for example, hi-fi components, McIntosh, etc...) that was in immaculate condition, so much so that it could be seen in a museum featuring that type of subject. But guitar necks? Is this just semantics/marketing, or is there really a classification of woods known as museum grade?

[David Collins]

That's just one of the silliest things I've heard in a while.

I'm off to get some museum quality pizza, and maybe a museum quality cup of coffee.

[A-Bone]

Given the premium prices charged on "museum grade birdseye maple", I sure hope that there is something to it beyond marketing hyperbole.

[soli528]

I didn't mean to poke fun at the guy's sale ad or his description; but is there actually such a thing as museum quality wood? And if so, what does that refer to, what distinguishes it as "museum quality" over a lesser piece of birdseye?

[Okay, maybe I intended like 30% tongue-in-cheek, 70% serious.]

[dk123123dk]

Well wood is graded usually. So it would be more appropriate to list the grade of wood, example: AAA Flamed Maple.

I think this was either posted in a hurry, or the person doesn't understand/know the grade of the wood. Probably just exaggerating.

dk

['70 RS]

Museum quality woodwork? sure, why not.
Museum quality wood? no.....unless The Smithsonian is putting on a 'Raw Materials' retrospective.

[Dana Olsen]

Originally Posted by David Collins

That's just one of the silliest things I've heard in a while.

I'm off to get some museum quality pizza, and maybe a museum quality cup of coffee.

I have a museum quality sense of humor, and I know some museum quality jokes ... but so far, no offers to put it on display anywhere.

Dana O.

[Quarter]

Just another marketing term, much like "genuine simulated wood grain", or "Now with blue crystals!"

[Mr.Hanky]

The more figured the wood the more expensive, and the more expensive it is the better it sounds, everyone knows that silly.

[GregoryL]

My mind immediately went to that 'guarantee on the box' scene from Tommy Boy.

Museum quality wood ... just like all those eBay ads for those rare Fender American Standard sunburst strats.

[bluesjuke]

That is creative and does paint a mental picture.

[Polynitro]

I'd visit the Museum of Wood if there was such a place.

[crosse79]

Just a way to say - Better quality wood. I have Godin Birdseye maple neck that will blow away ANY museum quality wood. Haven't seen any that comes close. Godin does not even mention it as such - just a high grade Birdseye Maple. No fancy terminology.

[A-Bone]

Originally Posted by dk123123dk

Well wood is graded usually. So it would be more appropriate to list the grade of wood, example: AAA Flamed Maple.

I think this was either posted in a hurry, or the person doesn't understand/know the grade of the wood. Probably just exaggerating.

dk

Probably not, as makers as diverse as Suhr and Warmoth utilize the term "museum grade" to describe the highest figured burl available on birdseye maples (typically 5A maple for Suhr), and it seems from a cursory Internet search that other woodworking context make use of the "museum grade" term to describe other woods, such as oak and the like.

More likely the person posting the add simply restated what he was actually told was the quality and description of the wood used by the maker or the retailer.

[Drowned Rabbit]

Originally Posted by A-Bone

More likely the person posting the add simply restated what he was actually told was the quality and description of the wood used by the maker or the retailer.

Yep. "Museum Quality" is an option on the Suhr site.
I'm sure it's meant as a way to differentiate between
grades of wood such as AAA & AAAAA maple tops.