Spruce Top Tobacco Burst, Or Maple?

[komodo]

Howdy,

I'm trying to get a certain look, but not sure on the wood choice for it. I am going for a tobacco burst or violin like burst. Really less of a burst and more of a deep satiny brown leather worn sort of look like you see on many archtops or violins. No figuring in the wood. Maybe like this:

http://www.roberto-venn.com/Repairs/archtop2.jpg

http://www.ribbecke.com/archtops/athomgf.htm

http://34musicstore.co.jp/cgi/data/img38/24.jpg

I like to keep things simple, like a mahogany body and maple top cap (BTW-this is a solid body electric). But finding really clean white maple with straight grain is almost as hard as finding nice figure. Also, I wasn't sure if plain sooft or hard maples would stain the same way as the archtops do as they are spruce tops if i am not mistaken?

So I guess tyhe question is, should I stick with plain maple? Use a Spruce top cap and carve it just like a maple cap? i don't know what that would do to the overall sound. Or is there another suitable wood that would suit this purpose?

Any help is appreciated. just picking your brains.

KOMODO

Edited June 28, 2006 by komodo