European maple vs Bigleaf maple, which one do you prefer and why ?

[Johan Madsen]

European maple vs Bigleaf maple, which one do you prefer and why ?

[Johan Madsen]

I mean in terms of tonal properties of course

[Athens]

Also know as Sycamore across the pond.

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by Athens

Also know as Sycamore across the pond.

The Taylor 612 is Big Leaf maple , isn’t it?

[The Bard Rocks]

I know less about European maples. In my opinion Big Leaf is more often prettier than Eastern (hard) maple, but tonally inferior. I suspect European maples are closer to Eastern than to Big Leaf. Someone can set me right on that.

Then there are the usual disclaimers: it's more about the top and even more about the maker.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Johan Madsen

The Taylor 612 is Big Leaf maple , isn’t it?

Taylor's web site shows the origin of the maple for the current 612 as "Pacific Northwest", so I guess big leaf would be correct for that.

As far as mine and others from back in the 90's, I'm not sure but my guess would be Big Leaf.

My 612 seems to fall into a period where their record keeping wasn't up to par. They can give me a few of the basics but not a lot of detail.

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I know less about European maples. In my opinion Big Leaf is more often prettier than Eastern (hard) maple, but tonally inferior. I suspect European maples are closer to Eastern than to Big Leaf. Someone can set me right on that.

Then there are the usual disclaimers: it's more about the top and even more about the maker.

Haha I hate those disclaimers, what’s the point of chatting about tonewoods if it always ends up with its all about the builder (even if the builder obviously is the most important factor)

[sdelsolray]

I owned a guitar with European maple, a SCGC F. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I've only played a few others with European maple, they were good instruments.

I've had more experience with Oregon Big Leaf maple. In the hands of the right luthier (there are many), they can be wonderful. I currently have a Webber Roundbody with Oregon Big Leaf maple and sitka which sounds and behaves great.

I do not have enough experience with various maple guitars to distinguish between European maple and Big Leaf maple.

[Herb Hunter]

Whether European maple or American big leaf maple, is far less important than the quality of individual pieces of wood.

I’d rather have a guitar made of an exceptional sample of any maple or other extraordinary individual pieces of many another species of wood than one made of mediocre Brazilian rosewood.

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

I owned a guitar with European maple, a SCGC F. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I've only played a few others with European maple, they were good instruments.

I've had more experience with Oregon Big Leaf maple. In the hands of the right luthier (there are many), they can be wonderful. I currently have a Webber Roundbody with Oregon Big Leaf maple and sitka which sounds and behaves great.

I do not have enough experience with various maple guitars to distinguish between European maple and Big Leaf maple.

Thanks for your input, I do think the difference is subtle

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Whether European maple or American big leaf maple is far less important than the quality of individual pieces of wood.

I’d rather have a guitar made of an exceptional sample of any maple or other extraordinary individual pieces of many another species of wood than one made of mediocre Brazilian rosewood.

I totally agree of course

[Johan Madsen]

Originally Posted by Athens

Taylor's web site shows the origin of the maple for the current 612 as "Pacific Northwest", so I guess big leaf would be correct for that.

As far as mine and others from back in the 90's, I'm not sure but my guess would be Big Leaf.

My 612 seems to fall into a period where their record keeping wasn't up to par. They can give me a few of the basics but not a lot of detail.

Yes I believe Taylor actually use Big Leaf, no idea though if they did in the past

[Johan Madsen]

No one else ?

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Whether European maple or American big leaf maple is far less important than the quality of individual pieces of wood.

I’d rather have a guitar made of an exceptional sample of any maple or other extraordinary individual pieces of many another species of wood than one made of mediocre Brazilian rosewood.

This...

On average (key word, individual sets may vary), Sycamore Maple is a denser, somewhat stiffer and harder species with a paler hue to it. Bigleaf tends to have more contrast to its figure if those aesthetic aspects matter. But honestly it will come down to the individual sets in the context of how they are being used by a builder. Great sounding and beautiful results can be achieved with either species.

[Orfeas]

See, I had no idea up until this thread that there are two species of maple. Good to know.