[Birdbrain]

Originally Posted by redir

Some folks though just don't like cosmetic flaws so that's really what grading is all about. A mater grade top is typically one that looks good, uniform color across, no defects, even grain lines and so on. The only structural consideration in master grade tops is that they are perfectly quarter sawn and even that is probably more for the cosmetics of silking. No one as far as I know grades tops on their stiffness and acoustical properties.

Au contraire- the Godin companies (Seagull, S&P, Norman and La Patrie) advertise "pressure tested" top woods. The best are set aside for the top models, and their stiffness allows them to be thinned accordingly. This process is briefly visible on factory tour videos and mentioned often in promo materials.