Question of the week March 15, 2010

[mullyman]

OK guys, I'm going to try something here. A question of the week for everyone to discuss. If anyone wants to toss in a question for the following week feel free to drop me a PM. I'd prefer if I take care of it so we don't get 50 questions at the same time and totally remove any reasoning for doing something like this.

Rules for this particular thread.

1) Debate all you want but respect the other person's opinion enough to not get nasty with them. That means no name calling and acting like an ass.

2) See rule number 1

3) Questions must be guitar/bass related. Amps, effects, guitarists, albums are all fair game. ANYTHING to do with guitar/bass.

4) See number 1

First question will be up in my next post.
MULLY

 

[mullyman]

So I'm looking through the Warmoth Showcase and I come across this stunning beauty....

I must say that my jaw dropped and I seriously started thinking about maybe grabbing it. Then, after the excitement of such a beautiful guitar had settled a little, I noticed that it's a one piece top. That ruined it for me. I would prefer that it be book matched and have the line running down the center.

So, the question is this.

Would you prefer a 1 piece top like this or one that is book matched? Also, what would the advantage be of having a one piece top? Would it have any effect on the tonal properties of the instrument? And vice versa.

MULLY
Thinking I could probably win another GOTM with this baby :headbang1:

 

[whyachi]

Would it have any effect on the tonal properties of the instrument? And vice versa.

This made me go  :icon_scratch:. Would a one- or seventeen- piece <1/8" in top have any impact at all? Hell I think you could pour concrete on it that thin and not notice anything but the weight.

 

[Schlieren]

I don't like flame maple nor do I like quilted maple tops because they are gaudy as all hell, but a one-piece like that makes me re-think it a bit.

First of all, a bookmatched set rarely matches up even relatively closely, so what's the point?  And second of all, the stripe down the middle, for me, takes away from the natural beauty of the wood by reminding me (bear with me) that the whole thing is totally artificial.

Of course the fact that it's, you know, a GUITAR should also clue in my aesthetic sensibilities, but at the same time, I guess I just don't like feeling like my nose is being arbitrarily rubbed in it.

I usually feel like odd person out when people are drooling over flame maple guitars, because to me they're nearly always tacky.  But that one-piece is making me re-think my stance... it's just got that extra little bit of uniqueness which makes me see it in a different light.

I couldn't possibly comment on the second part of the question except to theorize that the single piece would have a different sonic spectrum than that same piece if it had been bookmatched, but the difference would not be audible.

 

[-CB-]

OK guys, I'm going to try something here. A question of the week for everyone to discuss. If anyone wants to toss in a question for the following week feel free to drop me a PM. I'd prefer if I take care of it so we don't get 50 questions at the same time and totally remove any reasoning for doing something like this.

Rules for this particular thread.

1) Debate all you want but respect the other person's opinion enough to not get nasty with them. That means no name calling and acting like an ass.

2) See rule number 1

3) Questions must be guitar/bass related. Amps, effects, guitarists, albums are all fair game. ANYTHING to do with guitar/bass.

4) See number 1

First question will be up in my next post.
MULLY

So what makes this so special - thats what happens every day, every hour......

 

[Cagey]

I saw that body yesterday or the day before and had the same thought - what would be wrong with building something up on this little lovely? That's a fine-looking piece of work.

As for book matched vs. one-piece, I think you have to judge the piece on its own merits. In this case, the one piece is gorgeous. But, usually you don't get pieces that wide with any consistent grain, which is often why book-matching is done in the first place. Sometimes, though, book-matching is done on purpose to achieve a unique grain pattern that gets mirrored and has a different presentation that's often very attractive. I've seen in some cabinet work where they'll actually cut 4 or more pieces for a door or drawer front and book match them in such a way as to create a "flower" or "kaleidoscope" effect with the grain. Very nice.

Tone-wise, I seriously doubt there's any audible difference between a one-piece or bookmatched top. Once you start laminating wood, you kill most of its resonance anyway. That's why Les Pauls are almost inaudible when they're not plugged in, while a typical one-piece solid-body will ring out more. It's also why on acoustic guitars you want a solid top and sides vs. ply. You'll find the cheaper the acoustic, the more plywood has been used in its construction and the less character the thing has. A good Martin or Taylor will always use all solids while midrange guitars will usually at least have a solid top.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Book matched is great to get good flame coverage on a top. BUT, I would take that one piece any day, the flame is very uniform and that is rare.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Unwound G]

A book matched veneer top gives symmetry which in itself becomes a design using the wood's natural patterns.  Positioning of each side of the mirror image can enhance the looks of the guitar.  On a Flying V style guitar a V grain pattern arrangement will balance with the shape of the body  and on some flat top guitars, a book matched Quilted face may give an illusion of a carved top from a distance.

As far as tone from a single veneer or a book matched veneer is concerned, a single glue line is not going to affect much resonance considering that whole slice of veneer is glued onto the body core anyway.

On the other hand, a wide slice of Flame Maple is rare because these patterns are only possible from quarter cut slices and therefore the source timber has to be big.  That alone will  enhance the value and rarity of the top.

 

[hannaugh]

I like one piece and bookmatched tops.  Either way, as long as they look nice. 

 

[whyachi]

I like one piece and bookmatched tops.  Either way, as long as they look nice. 

Its easy to love bookmatched tops with your LP.

 

[22frets]

I'm with Death by Uberschall- typically I prefer a bookmatched top, but this particular one is worthy of an exception.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Another thing to remember is book matched tops on carved top bodies don't always keep their "match" very well, where on a flat top they hold their pattern better.

 

[hannaugh]

Whoa, Mully... you neglected to mention that this beast also has a one piece mahogany back.  Someone please buy this so we can all see the finished product!

 

[AprioriMark]

I'm a HUGE fan of one-piece tops.  I often hate bookmatching because it looks too angular in certain cases at certain angles.

-Mark

 

[imminentG]

If you ask me, I'd agree that bookmatching can be tasteful if done at a certain angle, BUT I'll always favor the direction of MORE wood, LESS glue/plastic.

Will it affect anything sonically? Probably not enough for you to tell.
Will I sleep better with 1-piece construction?  :guitaristgif: you'd better believe it

 

[Mor Paul]

I like some one piece tops. It depends on the piece. This one is great. Bookmatched is more consistent.

 

[dmraco]

I like both...but prefer 1 piece especially with flame maple.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

You guy/girls do realize there is still a layer of glue under the one piece just as with the two piece? The only difference is the seam down the middle of book matching.

 

[hannaugh]

Damn, I thought it was held together by magic!

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Damn, I thought it was held together by magic!

:doh:  :laughing7: