Veneer Decision Time

byudzai · #1 10-20-2020, 04:58 AM

So the beloved piece of Monkeypod I selected back in February wrinkled and tore when they tried to make my X20. SUPER sad about that beause it was unparalleled.

Some nice koa pieces right now though. I can't decide between these two, what do y'all think?

Jim in TC · #2 10-20-2020, 06:09 AM

Full disclosure: I ordered the X7 with regular old amber (and it looks great).

That said, if I was choosing between these I would go for the one on the right - just seems a bit more symmetrical to me. But, hey, either one will look terrific.

David Eastwood · #3 10-20-2020, 06:33 AM

I don’t think you could go wrong with either of those - my preference would be for the one on the left, for reasons I can’t explain

Earl49 · #4 10-20-2020, 07:07 AM

For what little it is worth, I would pick the left one — more colorful overall. Although in a vertical orientation like that I can almost picture the right one looking like a fire. More flame density at the bottom spreading out as you get higher. I’m a big fan of koa, the main reason that there are still wooden guitars at my house.

Captain Jim · #5 10-20-2020, 07:13 AM

Sorry to hear about the monkeypod veneer, but either of those koa options are gorgeous. I'm leaning towards the one on the right.

Working with those thin veneers has to be a challenge. It makes me wonder how far along in the building process the veneer comes into play?

jaan · #6 10-20-2020, 08:22 AM

I like the one on the left better. But with all the color / variation of your X30, I wonder if you could do better as both are somewhat subdued.

RP · #7 10-20-2020, 08:28 AM

I would go with the brighter one on the right - I believe the finishing process while accentuating the grain will tone down the lighter areas. While Emerald's glamour shots tend to make their guitars look "flashier" than in typical indoor lighting, here's an idea of what a finished KOA Emerald might look like...

raysachs · #8 10-20-2020, 09:25 AM

In their current state, I find the one on the left prettier / more interesting. But once Emerald sucks all the light out of them with it's finishing process, I think the one on the right will work better in real life in anything other than the brightest lights. So I'd probably go with the lighter one...

-Ray

jdinco · #9 10-20-2020, 10:09 AM

I like the flame on the left one.

steelvibe · #10 10-20-2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdinaz

I like the flame on the left one.

My choice too and for the same reasons. I also like the bold striping in it better.

new2guitar_eh · #11 10-20-2020, 10:36 AM

No other Monketpod available? What you had chosen was much more "'flowing"' than either of these .....

Goodallboy · #12 10-20-2020, 12:34 PM

The one on the right.

#13 10-20-2020, 03:03 PM

Given the pictured bridge, both look unbalanced to me.

ac · #14 10-20-2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvanB

Given the pictured bridge, both look unbalanced to me.

More than once they've made a bridge with the point in the center position, although off to the side is the norm. Maybe they could do this again. It would look better, I think.

Or, the bridge with no point at all. That appeals to me most.

David Eastwood · #15 10-20-2020, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac

Or, the bridge with no point at all. That appeals to me most.

If it’s a current X20 (which seems reasonable to assume) it will have the pointless bridge by default, won’t it?

They need to make some new templates to match