Knot in archtop top

[Map0Spread]

I'm currently looking at an archtop built by a master luthier, and it's got a knot just over the f-hole...

I was just curious, does that make a lesser quality top? Does it affect the vibration and the sound?

[Woody Sound]

I don't think that little knot would have any impact. In fact, looks kinda cool.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I’m not convinced that’s a knot. It looks like it’s probably just a growth-related grain distortion. A knot is the origin of a branch that died but didn’t fall off soon after its death. So the trunk grew larger around it, leaving a disc of dead wood that’s visibly discolored in boards cut though it. I don’t see any interruption of the continuity of the wood - it just took the finish differently, which may be a sign of a focal dense spot.

I’m not a luthier, but I don’t think that’s a problem at all. I’m curious about others’ opinions.

[Jimmy blue note]

I'd like to look at the bookmatch on the other side, should be beneath the pickguard.
My opinion as a luthier: Cool.
There are many types of figure that I personally find beautiful, and add individualism to an instrument. There's a figure called Bear Claw that I seek out. It's like the grain you have but it can be widely distributed and it looks like a bear scratched the tree, but it's just a feature of some kind of growth anomaly. In fact, other luthiers I've talked to feel that figure like that actually makes a stiffer top, easier to work to a lesser thickness, more responsive for the amount of mass, but that's opinion.
It's not a knot as far as I see, and it's kinda like Cindy Crawford's birthmark. Distinction.

[Grez]

I doubt there is any impact on the sound. It's a visual personal preference choice. When you look at it, every time, are you going to think, that's my guitar, I could pick it out of line up, it's unique or, that top has a defect (even if that's not acoustically true) and be bothered by it every time.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I doubt there is any impact on the sound. It's a visual personal preference choice. When you look at it, every time, are you going to think, that's my guitar, I could pick it out of line up, it's unique or, that top has a defect (even if that's not acoustically true) and be bothered by it every time.

The latter cad would also look at Cindy Crawford and scream “That woman’s gotta get her face fixed, Jimmy!”

[2bornot2bop]

Knot? Ha, ha. That’s a beauty mark. No worries.

[Jimmy blue note]

The latter cad would also look at Cindy Crawford and scream “That woman’s gotta get her face fixed, Jimmy!”

That's the difference between a collector and a player maybe? A collector sees imperfections from out front. A player finds perfection in what's in your arms.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

That's the difference between a collector and a player maybe? A collector sees imperfections from out front. A player finds perfection in what's in your arms.

As I see it, the difference is in their goals. Most collectors pursue an abstract (and, most often, unonbtainable) state of physical perfection. Most investors pursue profit. Most players pursue the pleasure of playing and the joys of having a wonderful instrument that meets their needs and desires.

There's room for everybody in the world. Some of the goals of guitar collectors and investors oppose those of players, and others favor us. Visual perfection in a top may push the price of a fine guitar above what most of us would / could pay for it. But if that little irregularity in grain reduces the market value of an otherwise identical guitar, it becomes more affordable. And if a "perfect" guitar, bought at top market price, is then played, even the faint patina of light use is enough to bring down its desirability and resale value to a collector or investor. It then becomes available to us when the big money guys don't want it any more.

Fortunately, players can get a lot more pleasure from a lot more instruments than most collectors and investors can.

[deacon Mark]

This means zero on the guitar, repeat ZERO...................

[Bluedawg]

Now this is a knotty guitar

1993 Benedetto Knotty Pine Special 17" Archtop - One of a | Reverb

[citizenk74]

I’m not convinced that’s a knot. It looks like it’s probably just a growth-related grain distortion. A knot is the origin of a branch that died but didn’t fall off soon after its death. So the trunk grew larger around it, leaving a disc of dead wood that’s visibly discolored in boards cut though it. I don’t see any interruption of the continuity of the wood - it just took the finish differently, which may be a sign of a focal dense spot.

I’m not a luthier, but I don’t think that’s a problem at all. I’m curious about others’ opinions.

Never: It is not a knot. Your description is spot-on, and 2B has it right, it's a beauty mark. OP has no worries.

[Gitterbug]

A seductive blink of the eye.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Never: It is not a knot. Your description is spot-on, and 2B has it right, it's a beauty mark. OP has no worries.

I'm a sucker for dimples in a jazz guitar -



But for the blues, I like one that can really talk trash.....

[AllanAllen]

Now this is a knotty guitar

1993 Benedetto Knotty Pine Special 17" Archtop - One of a | Reverb

In like the name written on the headstock with pencil.

[Map0Spread]

Thank you all, very enlightening!

[Woody Sound]

I'd like to look at the bookmatch on the other side, should be beneath the pickguard.

My own opinion, the mark may not appear on the other side, because of the carve. Even it was on the other side, it may have been small enough to have been carved away.

[Sleeko]

I’ve got a spot or two like that on my Elitist Broadway. Always thought it was called bear claw.

[wintermoon]

I had a prewar Epi Deluxe that had more bear claw on the top that you can shake a stick at. It was stunning looking and in the top 2 of vintage Epi's I've ever heard.
Ii finally went to a friend who wouldn't stop bugging me to sell.

[Woody Sound]

I had a prewar Epi Deluxe that had more bear claw on the top that you can shake a stick at. It was stunning looking and in the top 2 of vintage Epi's I've ever heard.
Ii finally went to a friend who wouldn't stop bugging me to sell.

How's this one:

[Woody Sound]

There appears to be another one left of the 17th fret, unless that is a small dent.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

How's this one:

That's gorgeous! Who made it? How's it sound?

[Woody Sound]

That's gorgeous! Who made it? How's it sound?

Don't know. Just found the image.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Don't know. Just found the image.

Sorry! I assumed it was yours. The luthier really used the figuring well - that’s an artful top.

[Gregc57]

That spot is only a problem if it bothers you!