Body Woods

[Moreau]

I am going to start a body. I want to make it with a carved top. Carved as in like a picture carved, not a traditional carved top. My question is, Is using a two piece body made of say birds eye maple going to sound any good? Id like to use quilted maple, but its rather pricey. Im not sure what to use. but im going to stain it red and clear coat it. Do figured maples carve well? thanks

[GuitarMaestro]

If you want to use figured maple for looks the common way to do it is to add a top or cap of figured maple to a body made from common wood. Usually the top is about 5mm to 15mm in thickness. Using only maple for the whole body makes for a very heavy and bright instrument. There are people who like it that bright though. Kirk Hammet's signature guitar has an all maple body and some guys on this forum do all maple bodies for the brutal attack and cutting tone it provides which is good for heavy distortion because the sound still becomes not muddy then.

I suspect figured maple is not the best wood for carving though, as the heavy figure is likely to tear out and the wood responds different to tools every fraction of an inch because of the change in figure.

P.s.: I never tried to carve quilted or birdseye maple so this are only my thoughts and no knowledge gained from hands-on expirience.

[unclej]

if you are going to carve the top and then stain it red i'd suggest you might think about solid mahogany. it carves pretty well, stains well and sounds great.

just my 2cents worth.

[Moreau]

Hey thanks for the tips, but im curious as to how mahogany would look stained. im making a guitar with red acrylic headstock, and i figured maple would be the brightest red. I like my heavy metal as well so maybe just plain maple will work? how will it stain. or dye i guess is whats best to use isnt it? will the carved spots dye differently? id like to use mahogany, but im worried it wont be bright enough once its dyed. thanks