Help me decide which top to choose for a custom build

[frances50]

For a top, I'd pick #3. I like uniformity. Also, I like cedar. My Olson has a cedar top and it's amazing.

[brencat]

Honestly, I vote NONE of the above. Tell him runout and/or two-tone tops are unacceptable under any circumstances and that you want to see more choices.

[amyFB]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Because he said all would work equally sonically. He said visually it's a matter of preference.

I was caught by the remark that "all would work equally sonically...."

It seems to me like saying pick any color car, they all have a motor with 300 hp.
And that is perfectly fine as long as you know that 300hp motor is what you want.

Specific to the OP's poll, my vote is for #3 and I hope you get everything you want from this new custom build. It must be exciting!

[amyFB]

Originally Posted by brencat

Honestly, I vote NONE of the above. Tell him runout and/or two-tone tops are unacceptable under any circumstances and that you want to see more choices.

wouldn't that kind of requirement increase the cost significantly?

[brencat]

Originally Posted by amyFB

wouldn't that kind of requirement increase the cost significantly?

If so, how much are we talking...$100, $200 tops? If I was having a custom built, I'd pay that without a second thought for a perfect looking top without runout. Doesn't hurt to ask if the builder has other stock to pick from. For all we know, maybe he's trying to get rid of the lower quality pieces in his stash first...

[ohYew812]

Well, we've all seen super expensive, and tonally beautiful guitars with tops that have some run out, so that really shouldn't be an issue.

#3 is clearly the winner visually, but I too wonder why the builder isn't working that out?

[Kerbie]

Like jseth said, the tap test is what matters to me. Looks are important, but sound is primary.

[Rosewood99]

I had emailed my builder to give him the results of the poll and here was his response:

#3 is the one I had decided to use. I think its straight and close knit grain will make a great sounding guitar. I also like the color variations. Tap testing a piece of wood is a pretty normal procedure for a guitar builder. However that only goes so far. A piece of wood that may have a good tone when tapped can be ruined by too thick or two thin of bracing and the final thickness of the top itself plays a huge factor in how a guitar sounds. Like they say building a guitar is easy. Building a really good guitar is hard.

[roylor4]

#3

I'm a sucker for tight, straight grained woods.

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by amyFB

wouldn't that kind of requirement increase the cost significantly?

I specified tone first, but no visible runout (if possible) on the last 2 commissioned guitars (1 currently under construction with SCGC) and there was no upcharge on either. Personally, I don’t mind imperfections, character marks and minor runout if the top wood delivers the tone. But all things being equal, I would choose not to have runout.

[Mr. Jelly]

I didn't pick number three. I though it looked like a standard top wood that most people would pick. Luthiers know that looks are very important but they also know the truth about what works. And it isn't all about looks. But it is all about the customer and their experience. By doing this and giving you a choice he has given you a custom build experience you will love to share for days to come.

[jhmulkey]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Because he said all would work equally sonically. He said visually it's a matter of preference.

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I had emailed my builder to give him the results of the poll and here was his response:

"#3 is the one I had decided to use. I think its straight and close knit grain will make a great sounding guitar."

Maybe I'm missing something, but that sounds like he's saying they would not work equally sonically. He believes #3 will be superior in that regard.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by jhmulkey

Maybe I'm missing something, but that sounds like he's saying they would not work equally sonically. He believes #3 will be superior in that regard.

I think you are missing something. He said no 3 would be good sonically. However he did not say the others would not be.

[Von Beerhofen]

I'm all for #3 too, love the tight straight grain, should be good for some extra sparkle.

Ludwig

[handers]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I have a choice of four Port Orford Cedar tops for a Dreadnought I'm having built for me. They all look great to me. Does anyone have a preference for what you might choose?


Attachment 2800

Attachment 2801

Attachment 2802

Attachment 2803

Defer to luthier about which piece would sound best. For me, that is first and only major criterion. Looking at a piece cannot of course determine how it taps, rings, it's stiffness to weight ... The luthier says all would work equally. Hhhmm.. I'd ask him to reevaluate and choose based on tone.

But great that you will have a new guitar coming!!

hans