Jazz guitars,,, Why flame maple?

rustyAir · #1 10-08-2010, 05:46 PM

Hi,

Is there any reason why archtop luthiers uses flame maple for back&sides?

I have seen a few curly maple or quilted maple archtops and etc,,, but mostly with flame maple archtops.

Howard Klepper · #2 10-08-2010, 05:49 PM

Violinmaking tradition.

Dotneck · #3 10-08-2010, 07:46 PM

And its pretty...

Plus maple guitars can be designed to have less sustain which is is beneficial when chunck, chunck, chuncking out a beat behind a big band. Or when you're ripping through complex solo lines...its almost the opposite kind of tone than what is required for new age type fingerstyle guitar...

OddManOut · #4 10-08-2010, 08:17 PM

Mmmm...maple.

NoPicks · #5 10-08-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Violinmaking tradition

Yep. That's my take on it as well. A part of the general violin aesthetic that was carried over along with the structural feature of arched top and back

Interestingly enough, Orville Gibson himself seemed to favor walnut for backs and sides, as did Epiphone for certain models like the mid-1930's Broadway. Definitely not the norm, though. Maple was (and still is) used for the vast majority of archtops that I've seen over the years, and the curly figure seems to be the default standard for higher-grade instruments

mstuartev · #6 10-09-2010, 05:04 PM

my dad's '36 Epi Broadway has a walnut back. Killer tone. Maple cuts through a band mix pretty well.

Teletodd · #7 10-10-2010, 09:46 AM

Eastman has mahogany back Jim Fricsh and Pisanos models. Theres also a flame maple Pisano.

Rick Homan · #8 10-11-2010, 08:52 AM

In his book on building archtops, Robert Benedetto comments on the use of maple for the necks of fine archtops. He points out that mahogany is a better choice for a neck, being lighter and more stable; maple is more prone to hidden irregularities which can cause eventual twisting. Nonetheless, he says, at some point maple simply became associated with higher-end archtops, and so customers expect it.

I suppose it's like rosewood being more expensive because it is harder to work; buyers then think that because it is more expensive, it must be better.

Howard Klepper · #9 10-11-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Homan

I suppose it's like rosewood being more expensive because it is harder to work; buyers then think that because it is more expensive, it must be better.

Where did you get this idea? Most rosewood works easily with sharp tools, bends easily, and holds detail very well. As to its price, I suspect that supply and demand have had some influence greater than its workability. If the latter were poor, why wouldn't that result in lower demand?

jmarmck · #10 10-11-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teletodd

Eastman has mahogany back Jim Fricsh and Pisanos models. Theres also a flame maple Pisano.

Just bought one of those. The top is mahogany too.

Rosewood is choosen for its tone. It has its own characteristics that make it unique as a tonewood. I am also of the opinion that there are overall tonal differences between brazilian, indian, africian rosewoods. Then again tone varies from tree to tree. Brazilian rosewood's price reflects this and the embargo of brazilian rosewood.

RussMason · #11 10-11-2010, 11:54 AM

Those who play jazz, particularly single-note lead phrases, do not want a lot of resonance, as one would normally get from rosewood or mahogany.

With maple, the single notes stand out clearly.

Chris Kemp · #12 10-11-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Where did you get this idea? Most rosewood works easily with sharp tools, bends easily, and holds detail very well. As to its price, I suspect that supply and demand have had some influence greater than its workability. If the latter were poor, why wouldn't that result in lower demand?

Got to agree with the klepmister on this. Rosewood is one of the easiest tone woods to work with. Its just that sense the Brazilian government stopped export it is showing up less and less.

I think it is the buying market that has taken arch tops to the flamed maple. Think for a minute is a red, orange, or blue burst going to show up on rosewood? Jazz arch tops are known for their intricate detail and over the top color schemes and I think that the buying market expects it.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #13 10-11-2010, 04:43 PM

They are not all Maple.

http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/4...nsong_Jazz.htm

Chris Kemp · #14 10-11-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarpman

They are not all Maple.

http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/4...nsong_Jazz.htm

Might not be maple but it definitely is an over the top color scheme.

Bruce Sexauer · #15 10-11-2010, 06:10 PM

That's not tiger stripe maple? How do we know?