Mark IV wood ID

fronobulax

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It became clear in another discussion that we had not really bothered to find out what wood was used in Mrs. Fro's Mark IV. So here are some of the seller's pictures so that those with opinions can offer them :) The seller said it was a 1979 but the serial number dates to 1978. Seller was the original owner so 1979 is probably when it was purchased.

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sailingshoes72

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If I'm not mistaken, the label reads "Mark IV R". That would make it rosewood. That is beautiful wood marquetry around the sound hole on that guitar.

Bill
 

fronobulax

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If I'm not mistaken, the label reads "Mark IV R". That would make it rosewood. That is beautiful wood marquetry around the sound hole on that guitar.

Bill

You are correct. Hans asked me about the serial number and when Hans asks I want to get the answer correct. So I pulled it out of the case, looked at the label and headstock - the numbers matched - and saw MK IV R. If I had looked first I would have had an answer although not as much fun as asking the question.

Top wood?
 

Christopher Cozad

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My vote: (Most probably) EIR (early ones had BRW) back and sides, and (most likely Sitka) Spruce on top (with tinted lacquer, as Sandy pointed out). While not a definitive test, I have found that much, if not all, of the Western Redcedar in use in higher end guitars in those days has impressively close or "tight" grain, almost to the point where you can't distinguish the grain lines. Of course, you could attempt the "fingernail dent" test on the underside of the soundboard - Cedar dents by looking at it, while Spruce is tough stuff.

There is something of a general consensus regarding the use of Spruce as opposed to Cedar. I say general, as it isn't a hard and fast rule. Cedar soundboards are known for tonal "warmth", due to their inherent bias toward enthusiastically reproducing the midrange frequencies. Mid's are more pronounced, hence Cedar's popularity with instrumentalists. Spruce tends to be less vociferous in the midrange, coincidentally making room for the human voice in the mix. Spruce is more "balanced", low to high, hence it's popularity with singers.
 
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