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This pic would have eliminated a lot of speculation (and changed my answer)
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08-21-2024 05:34 PM
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Are you looking at the figure of the vertical grain at the edge between the f hole and the binding? This is very interesting, as I said Ive worked with very little (if any) spruce, in cabinets and millwork we would use VG fir for that kind of figure in soft wood or rift cut w oak or w ash.
Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
This pic would have eliminated a lot of speculation (and changed my answer)
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My screenshot is low quality, I guess, but there's obvious flame toward the rims that I've never seen on a spruce topped guitar.
Definitely a relatively plain piece of maple for a 575. A cool and unique guitar.
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My first violin had a very plain maple back that looked an awful lot like that. Judging from the above photos I'd say maple especially with that slight flame around the tailpiece area. Wouldn't the guitar be a bit more heavy with maple as opposed to spruce?
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Well, thats a good point my spruce top 575 above is 5lb 11oz the sellers is 6lb 9 oz. Mine is no pickguard and wood tail piece not sure how much difference that would make but I agree that makes it weigh like maple, the neck is different also. Originally Posted by Sleeko
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I'm going with quarter sawn maple too. Very commonly used on violins for back and sides. Un figured is common in student instruments.
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Late to this thread, but it looks exactly like the plain maple back on my late 69 JS.
Below is not my guitar, but is the maple back of a '71 L5. In the late 60's and early 70's very plain maple was usually used by Gibson. Many people believe it is more resonant.
Last edited by Woody Sound; 08-22-2024 at 10:31 PM.
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It would be interesting to see a vibration test between figured and unfigured maple, it would make sense that the plain grain vibrates more freely.
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Could be Cav, but figured vibrates more seductively :)
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Is it the swirl of burl or just the hype of stripe?
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I would say it's not the figure that determines what resonates better but the grain orientation and the luthier. When you choose a wedge for figure, that takes priority and the luthier can wind up with beautiful figure but the wood itself may be slab sawn, or even skew cut. When you choose for strength to weight optimum, you can't be so free, and you look for wood for that filet mignon cut, and honestly, the cross grain silk is beautiful but much more rarely endowed with dramatic curl or flame figure.
So a quarter sawn piece of wood, less frequently available with figure, can be graduated thinner and tuned to a specific way, arched for optimum acoustical qualities and yes, it's going to be more resonant.
A good luthier can get good sound from many cuts and types of wood, but the combination of a perfectly quartered piece of wood and a great luthier will give you something extraordinary.
Look at Jimmy D'Aquisto guitars. Yes he could choose from anything out there. Grain orientation always took priority over pretty figure.
Looks can get you the sale, but if you can work it, you've got the sound.
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ps - Notice the straight narrow grain lines that look similar to spruce, like the OP's top. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Late to this thread, but it looks exactly like the plain maple back on my late 69 JS.
Below is not my guitar, but is the maple back of a '71 L5. In the late 60's and early 70's very plain maple was usually used by Gibson. Many people believe it is more resonant.
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I just looked at a spruce top 575 on reverb with weight given as 6lbs 9oz same as guitar in question. So much for the weight theory. Im convinced its maple, Im wondering if there would be an obvious difference in tone between the straight grain and curly grain. The guitar has some nice upgrades like binding and HRW so the top must have been selected for a reason (not just to fool old cabinetmakers). I have a spruce top and maple top 575s they sound quite a bit different.
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For sure. And if you zoom in you see the same maple ray fleck as OP pic. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Quartered spruce can show it too, but the character is different. See the spruce top pic higher up. I think it's known around here as silk but I've never heard it called that in any cabinet shop I've worked in. More of a guitar thing I think?
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Silk, rays, cross flower... many names. Unmistakable look. Originally Posted by ccroft
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I hate to be a shameless self promoter but I have a very nice (a few years older) 575 custom for sale on this site. Pretty sure the top is maple. Same price as the guitar in question!
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I have 2 otherwise Id pounce, frankly I cant believe yours and the one in question are still sitting. I wouldnt consider one newer than '13, the one like yours built under the old guard are amazing deals. Quality equal to anything, completely unique sound. What part of hand carved by the real Gibson dont people get? Ive had (several) spruce and maple top all of them excellent. Its all personal but the only move up would be to a custom ordered from one of the top luthiers. Im really amazed at people paying (a lot) more for a reish '59" 175 or an L4 ces. I respect those players choices There are 2 right here far better players than I but I still dont get it. Not to long ago you could snag an S16 for under 3k now theres few for sale and price is high. Mabey same thing will happen to 575s...the new ones are a shadow of their former selves. Just my 2c Originally Posted by [email protected]
Last edited by Rickco; 08-26-2024 at 03:34 PM.
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Thanks Ricko. Seems like not much love for the older carved models. Don’t know why? To me they are wonderful instruments.
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Why do you think that the new ones are a shadow of their former selves? Originally Posted by Rickco
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plastic pickguard, cheezy tailpiece, inconsistent fret work, limited finish options. The odd thing is the new eagles look pretty good and sound good. The older customs are truly fine carved archtops and many at give away prices.
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