tsl602000 Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 Although I'm still in doubt what wood to use (swamp ash or alder) for my strat project, I'm planning to use a quilted maple veneer top (1/32" thick). I was wondering if this top will harm the sound qualities of the guitar in any way. Thanks, Coen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 6, 2003 Report Share Posted January 6, 2003 If it was a much thicker piece that was say a larger percentage of the body then yes, but at that thickness I doubt you could tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsl602000 Posted January 7, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Thanks Brian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsl602000 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2003 Brian, I read on alot of web sites that a thin veneer top could damage your sound... more mud. Any thruth behind those stories? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aMpaGe Posted January 9, 2003 Report Share Posted January 9, 2003 Brian, I read on alot of web sites that a thin veneer top could damage your sound... more mud. Any thruth behind those stories? NO way. A veneer that is 1/30" or 1/40" thick will do absolutely nothing to modify the way a guitar would sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 9, 2003 Report Share Posted January 9, 2003 I'm with aMpaGe If that were true then a pick guard and the screws used to hold it on would change the tone a bunch too....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsl602000 Posted January 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2003 If that were true then a pick guard and the screws used to hold it on would change the tone a bunch too....... yes... forgot about that. Well, thanks... I'll add a nice striped maple veneer to my strat. If I only could decide what color it's gonaa be. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave M Posted January 9, 2003 Report Share Posted January 9, 2003 Everything changes the tone a little bit. That thin a veneer shouldn't hurt your tone though. Remember, though, even the finish can alter tone. Be careful how you glue that veneer on. I have seen people use tons of glue, and real flexible stuff at that, and that would change the tone. Make sure your surfaces are smooth, and do a neat job of gluing it. Also don't use rubber cement, or a silicone based adhesive. (Don't laugh, I have seen these used) Squeeze excess glue out of the way, but don't leave a gap either. (BUZZZZZZZ!) (Don't ask me how I know veneer will create an untraceable buzz when not glued down correctly) Sounds like a great project. I have done veneered teles before, and I have always been pleased. How will you hide the edges? Bindings? trim?, or a sunburst finish, with opaque edges? I hate to do bindings, so I always cop out, and slap on a sunburst. If you get really brave, you can use Marquetry techniqes to inlay a design into the face fo the guitar. I am considering a tele like this someday. I have veneers of several different colored woods laying around now. Good luck, and have fun Dave p.s. funny story from helping a music store set up and sell at festivals a few years back, with a customer who did the following "Upgrade" at the Evart dulcimer festival, after buying a pickguard from us. I watched this guy use tub and tile sealant right out of a caulking gun, lay down a big zig zag bead of the stuff, and slap his pickguard right down on it, and let it set up. Must have had the guard 3/16" off the face of the axe, with most of the void filled with silicone! That night, he wondered where his tone went... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsl602000 Posted January 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2003 Dave, Thanks for your reply. Do you have any pics of your projects? As my guitar body is strat style, I rounded the corners, so a binding is out of the question. However, I'm thinking of a natural wood binding although that seems alot of work to me. Thanks! Coen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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