Is this silking or bear claw?

[Pura Vida]

At first, I thought you were referring to the medullary rays, which are plentiful in your top. But then I saw the faint root shadow, which is what I think you're really talking about (long, straight line). Alan already described it above, but it's not distracting to me. I have a more prominent one in one of my tops, but that top is probably the stiffest, most lush top I've ever owned, so it doesn't bother me at all. Wood is a natural substance, and those things provide character to a top. If it was perfect and boring, it may as well be made of plastic.

[slopeshoulder]

143D8442-79ED-47B1-902E-01A2B41E15A5.jpg

This is an example of some bearclaw I think.

[SkipII]

This is silking and it looks gorgeous. Be thrilled that you have it because it is a marker of high-grade spruce.

Bear claw can show up on any wood that is quarter-sawn (look at really old white oak furniture or flooring). I don't find it as attractive but it is hardly a defect. It generally will stay lighter than surrounding wood over time.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by slopeshoulder

Attachment 43775

This is an example of some bearclaw I think.

Yes, it’s got quite a bit of bearclaw in it.


whm

[pdx]

That is silking.

John Arnold and Bruce Sexauer do a good job explaining it here:

https://umgf.com/silking-medullary-r...n-t112735.html

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by BigOrangeBox

Very nice piece of Sitka. I tend to look for the silk on the guitars I purchase.

Same here. And I don't mind a bit of bear claw as well. But the silking makes me weak in the knees.

Anyone want to guess why my favorite spruce is Sitka?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Pura Vida

If it was perfect and boring, it may as well be made of plastic.

Like carbon fiber guitars, for instance?

Originally Posted by SkipII

Bear claw can show up on any wood that is quarter-sawn (look at really old white oak furniture or flooring).

That is usually called ray fleck, or similar. Highly desirable in old (and new furniture), particularly, quarter sawn white oak.

[kego]

I would also call the OP's example silking, and very nice at that!

I've never liked bear claw, I'm pretty sure that term originated from a builder who received a load of crap wood and needed to sell guitars...lol

YMMV of course...

:-)

[vive]

Originally Posted by Alan Carruth

Since knots, like medullary rays, run along the radius of the tree a small knot will run along the cut surface of a well quartered piece. In this case the knot was in another piece near (probably 'below') that one, and you're seeing the 'ripple' in the grain that went around it: a knot shadow.

Bear claw is much different; seldom straight, usually somewhat random, and extended in all directions rather than the simple crosswise 'wave' of that knot shadow. In the past some manufacturers counted 'claw' as a defect. It's still a bit of a problem if there's only one mark, since that can look like a dent was made in the wood during manufacture. Otherwise it's a matter of preference; some folks like it and some don't.

There is a lot of ray pattern in that top, too.

Al, it’s great to see you here and have the benefit of your knowledge and experience!
A knot shadow (!) in the midst of a sea of medullary rays (aka silking).
That is one beautiful GS-mini top!

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by kego

I would also call the OP's example silking, and very nice at that!

I've never liked bear claw, I'm pretty sure that term originated from a builder who received a load of crap wood and needed to sell guitars...lol

Guitars that have a lot of bearclaw in their tops are not musically inferior, nor are they musically superior, either. That bearclaw figure doesn't seem to have any real impact on the tone.

So I'm neutral when it comes to bearclaw's musical impact.

Still, I can't pretend that I like the way it looks. The presence of bearclaw is not something that will keep me from buying a guitar that I otherwise like a lot, but by the same token I would never seek it out, much less pay extra for it.

But more power to those who love bearclaw. Many guitar companies used to discard any tops that had noticeable bearclaw figure, but nowadays they not only use bearclaw tops, but often charge more for them, too!

I think that's great. Anything that helps keep acoustic guitar companies in business by giving them a bit more of a profit margin is fine so far as I'm concerned.


Wade Hampton Miller

[stormin1155]

A magnificent top whatever you choose to call it. Taylor sure sources some beautiful wood!

[Pura Vida]

Here's a photo of the root shadow on my guitar:


The pickguard covers most of it:

[Simon Fay]

As usual, Alan got it right - definitely not a medullary ray as some have claimed. Cosmetically, that one "squiggle" (technical term) would be considered a flaw/blemish and would detract from the grading of the top.

Some flaws bother me but this one certainly doesn't.

[MHC]

Whatever it is, I like it.

[LeftyKev]

Why would any wood be 'distracting'? Very strange analogy.

Its your choice, its your guitar.