OK - So I Guess I Love Maple

[tippy5]

Maple is the "new" Brazilian!

I also just got a new quilted maple cutaway.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by tippy5

Maple is the "new" Brazilian!

I also just got a new quilted maple cutaway.

You know the rules .. pictures please!

[N+1]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I bought 3 guitars this year - all of them very different from each other but all of them Maple .... and I love them!

Do I have a problem?



Huss & Dalton MJ Custom
Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo
Epiphone EJ-200

Beautiful instruments. The loveliest guitar I ever played was a Bob Dylan signature SJ200 - maple back and sides. I recognised that the sound of it was exactly what I had always hoped to get from a guitar without actually knowing that I did - if you see what I mean. The 'standard' SJ200s I've played since then have been lovely, but not quite 'up there' - a case of one specimen differing from another, I guess.

But that 'maple' sound (I take the exquisite looks for granted without further mention) attracted me the first time I heard it and recognised it as different - surprisingly, in a Taylor 214ce-QM-DLX (see picture on the left below). It rings out clear as a bell, recognisably of maple character, even though the back and sides are layered maple (inside and out).

The same goes for the guitar I acquired more recently - a Sigma SG200 (modelled on the SJ200, like your Epiphone). It too has back and sides made of layered maple - but my ears heard 'maple' well before I knew the specs.

It is a frequent experience to play either of these guitars, thrill to the look, feel and sound of them, and ask questions about my other far more expensive Taylors (810 and 914ce) and Martin HD28v.

[Blasted Coyote]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I bought 3 guitars this year - all of them very different from each other but all of them Maple .... and I love them!

Do I have a problem?

A problem is not finding what you like! You are all set my friend.

[Earl49]

I've been playing my maple/spruce Taylor 615ce jumbo a lot over the past week. Now I remember why I bought it. That big body adds some bass to better balance the bright, trebly nature of maple. It is all black, so the back and sides are probably not highly figured. (I could look inside......).

[edward993]

Originally Posted by IndyHD28

Personally, I am thrilled to seeing Maple finally gaining traction in the acoustic market. Screw CITES.

HAHAHA!...right there with you, man!

Edward

[1Charlie]

My main performing guitar is a maple Guild F-50.

It sounds better to me, amplified, than either mahogany or rosewood.

Balanced, clean tone, not too "woofy".

[Muddslide]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I'm in trouble, my wife just found my stash of Canada trip brochures.

Uh-oh. My advice is: high-tail it to Mexico.

See, she's expecting you to zig, but you'll be zagging like a champ.

I am not sure about the quality or availability of Mexican maple syrup, but I know they have some unspeakably great blue agave tequilas. Not a bad alternative.

[Rodger Knox]

That middle guitar only has four strings....
Is that the problem?

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I'm in trouble, my wife just found my stash of Canada trip brochures.

Well, there is lots of maple up here. Some of them border these cleared out spaces on mountains called ski runs. They have proved to be very addictive over the years.

[Teleman52]

Ive been gassing on the waterloo scissortail.

[blindboyjimi]

Kopp back


Kopp side


1936 L-Century back

This beautiful Kevin Kopp was made for me in 2013-14. I let it go after I retired and smaller body guitars were harder to play than bigger ones (back trouble not shoulder) but as a Nick Lucas it is a deeper body. It has incredible bass for a little instrument and was a great finger picker with large sustain yet fundamental. Its in the For Sale section right now by Cobraguy so I can’t say no affiliation but it’s a great little guitar at a great price by a great seller. I wish I could buy it back but I’m swimming in guitars as I’ve taken in 4 guitars in 4 months. I just bought back my 1935 L-00 so it’s just the wrong time but if anyone is thinking of taking a chance I was quite happy with it. Kevin makes a J-185 and a 12 fret J-200 out of Maple and those are special. I wish I could buy back tons of my old guitars but that’s the fun of switching around the “collection”. Plus it gives the luthiers some work! In the right hands Maple makes a great guitar.

[Martz911]

Maple is a wonderful tonewood. And it is usually sourced right here in the USA. Here are back closeups of my maple Goodalls.

A Curly Maple Concert Jumbo Cutaway:



A Birdseye Maple Jumbo:



A Quilted Maple Jumbo:



A Curly Maple Jumbo 12-string:

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Martz911

Maple is a wonderful tonewood. And it is usually sourced right here in the USA. Here are back closeups of my maple Goodalls.

You win!
Those are ALL amazing.
Not only are the maple variations simply stunning but I also love the different contrasting binding on each guitar.
Beautiful.

[tadol]

I have a few maple Santa Cruz Fs - a couple FTCs (their carved back), a couple standard Fs, and a 12 string - love the maple! But a nice Bosnian maple Sexauer might be the ultimate -