Why did the maple guitars have to use pressed laminate Maple for the backs?

[dreadnut]

No complaints on my arch-back D25M. Ol'' Louise really sings.

 

[Wilmywood]

I have both a '72 G37 maple archback and a '00 DV-52 rosewood flatback. I prefer the sound of the G37.

But that's picking nits. They're both GREAT sounding guitars.

 

[adorshki]

Among others, F-50R, F-412Special, F-512. I think that old rockstar rosewood slothead signature protoype also had an arched back (?)

Actually, only about 12 F50R's got arched backs, they were "specials", and only a few F512's got arched rosewood backs made at the same time as the arched back F50R's in fact I can only think of 2 we've seen here. And F412 Special was the name of the early 512's.

A mentioned earlier, only 2 or 3 regular production arched rosewood backs ever built: DCE-5, F5ce, and those F50Rs IF one considers them "regular production". (Which I'm willing to do in this case even though it was an "experiment").

 

[chazmo]

Al, experiments or not, those were production models because they were sold to customers.

 

[F-412Spec]

Here's one of my past guitars - 48159 - an ordinary production F-512 archback.

 

[chazmo]

Here's one of my past guitars - 48159 - an ordinary production F-512 archback.

Nothing ordinary about that. . Just beautiful! I don't think I've seen a spread of that one before, Brad.

What was unusual about those rosewood arch-backs is the bookmatched wood. I don't think/know if they ever did bookmatching with maple backs.

When you have a chance, can you show us a shot of the interior as well? If it's like my '67 F-50 Rosewood, the interior is also slices from the same flitch and the grain looks like the exterior.

Best wishes!

 

[Canard]

Late to the party.

I once asked my favourite luthier about the use of maple laminate vs solid wood--it is a common practice, not just Guild. She said: Maple laminate is strong, hard, dense, and has good properties for use as tone wood. Most people would be hard pressed to hear any difference between it and solid wood in the same context. Some luthier-builders actually prefer its sound. And it is very robust and stable which makes it very suitable for use in high tension instruments like 12 strings.

 

[davidbeinct]

Late to the party.

I once asked my favourite luthier about the use of maple laminate vs solid wood--it is a common practice, not just Guild. She said: Maple laminate is strong, hard, dense, and has good properties for use as tone wood. Most people would be hard pressed to hear any difference between it and solid wood in the same context. Some luthier-builders actually prefer its sound. And it is very robust and stable which makes it very suitable for use in high tension instruments like 12 strings.

But, but, but… all solid wood construction is ALWAYS superior!

 

[fronobulax]

But, but, but… all solid wood construction is ALWAYS superior!

Fixed that for you...

But, but, but… all solid wood construction is ALWAYS superior in furniture and cabinetry!

 

[wileypickett]

Most people would be hard pressed to hear any difference between it and solid wood in the same context.

"Hard pressed" -- good one, Canard!

 

[Canard]

"Hard pressed" -- good one, Canard!

Thanks, I think. Always nice to be acknowledged for one's sparkling wit even when there was no intentional carbonation. The fizz here was accidental, I can assure you.

 

[General Dreedle]

Love my JF 30 arched back

 

[adorshki]

Al, experiments or not, those were production models because they were sold to customers.

"Specials" are production models, too.

 

[adorshki]

Late to the party.

I once asked my favourite luthier about the use of maple laminate vs solid wood--it is a common practice, not just Guild. She said: Maple laminate is strong, hard, dense, and has good properties for use as tone wood. Most people would be hard pressed to hear any difference between it and solid wood in the same context. Some luthier-builders actually prefer its sound. And it is very robust and stable which makes it very suitable for use in high tension instruments like 12 strings.

The point is, when it's used in backs and sides the laminations are sound reflectors more than anything else and the outer layer is what determines the reflected frequencies.

 

[GGJaguar]

is what determines the reflected frequencies.

What's the frequency Kenneth?

 

[12 string]

What's the frequency Kenneth?

I'd Rather not say....

' Strang

 

[richt54]

2000 Taku Sakashta Jam Master Custom | Reverb

Here is a circa 2000 Taku Sakashta Jam Master Custom. S#20651 3/4" Nut25.25" ScaleThis instrument is an exquisite example of the late master's craftmanship. It was commissioned by the present owner in the early 2000's. It is one of the finest instruments that we have seen. It is a solid carved...

reverb.com

A carved solid arched back maple guitar. I guess this is another reason for lamination.