strangegrey Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Hey folks, what's the difference? (other than the obvious geographical one) Which is more commonly used for maple tops on LPs, PRSs, etc?? Thanks for any clarification... -Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.ph...l=eastern+maple You will find more if you try the forum's search facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 They are both very nice woods that can be used as tops. Eastern maple or "rock" maple (Acer Saccharum, or sugar maple) the hardest of the lot (very good for necks), heaviest, and can show a really nice flame. Birdeye figure is (AFAIK) seen exclusively in rock maple. Black maple (Acer Nigrum) is pretty close to rock maple in hardness, density and figure. Western "bigleaf" maple (Acer Macrophyllum) is softer and lighter, and can show wide flame and quilted figure of various kinds. It would be easier to carve than rock. The high-figure quilted maple you see is western (A. Macrophyllum). There are various other kinds of maple that grow in the east, Red Maple (A. Rubrum), Silver Maple (A. Saccharinum) that are softer than rock maple, they are fine for tops but I would not use any maple but rock for necks. There is some debate as to the kind of maple on LPs and PRS instruments; if its quilt then its western, but if its flamed then it could be anything really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangegrey Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 There is some debate as to the kind of maple on LPs and PRS instruments; if its quilt then its western, but if its flamed then it could be anything really. Thanks, this is more the info I'm looking for....what does Gibson and PRS use in their stock...I guess it could be anything.... -F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 on solid colors they use rock maple, it has a better sound, gives more"sparkle" for flamed and figured tops they use western maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 There is actually a bit of a discussion about this on the LPF right now, as to what kind of maple was used on vintage LPs. My money's on rock maple; in the 50s Gibson was using a lot of rock maple for necks on hollowbody guitars, and it would not make sense that they would buy anything else in large quantities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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