Members CenturyStanding Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Spalted maple tops seem to be a very big trend these days, as they are very striking and completely unique from guitar to guitar. I've seen this wood used on custom shop instruments for several years now and I'm even starting to see it on production instruments (Spalted Tele, Spalted ESP Explorer, etc.). That being said, does spalted maple sound the same as regular maple? I know most of the bright, sustaining characteristics of maple come from the fact that it is a very dense, hard and heavy wood. However, I've read several times now that because of the fungal deterioration makes it spalted, the wood is actually extremely soft and porous. Does this mean that is sounds warmer as a topwood than regular maple? I can't for the life of me find a tonal description of spalted maple anywhere, just pictures and descriptions of it's physical properties. Any info you guys have would be great. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted January 7, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 7, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Will Chen Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 I suspect the influx of availability of spalted maple is due to manmade varieties with dye enhanced grain patterns on a thin veneer over a standard maple cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DRPool Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm no expert but isn't a spalted finish more of a cosmetic choice than anything else? I.E. burst v. solid, green v blue, goldtop v faded. Sounds like douchebaggery to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jacobarber Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Spalted maple is a dead maple tree that's been eaten some by fungus. I really can't be sure of this, but I'd imagine the reason someone would choose a spalted piece over a regular maple piece as a top is purely for aesthetic value. A spalted piece would have a tad less weight, maybe, only because of the veins running through it, but not enough to make a tonal difference. As a top, i can't see it being any warmer or brighter than its previously living counterpart. Build a whole body out of spalted and you may find different results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Spalted maple is a dead maple tree that's been eaten some by fungus. I really can't be sure of this, but I'd imagine the reason someone would choose a spalted piece over a regular maple piece as a top is purely for aesthetic value. A spalted piece would have a tad less weight, maybe, only because of the veins running through it, but not enough to make a tonal difference.As a top, i can't see it being any warmer or brighter than its previously living counterpart. Build a whole body out of spalted and you may find different results. This. Also, yes Spalted is usually a vaneer. I have guitars with both and believe me you're going to notice a bigger tonal difference from different pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CenturyStanding Posted January 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Excellent. Thanks for the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members uOpt Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Spalted maple is used in thin veneers, not carved tops like on a Les Paul. It's likely that all these thin veneers have the same slightly dampening but otherwise neutral effect on sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JC777 Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 purely cosmetic and very hard to work with from what I understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 In the guitars listed in the OP, the maple is nothing more than a veneer and won't contribute anything significant to the tone. Even the common 1/8" bent top won't, it's for cosmetic purposes. Otherwise, it would be very hard to determine the differences between spalted, figured or plain maple considering the vast tonal differences between any two blanks of wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Spalted maple is used in thin veneers, not carved tops like on a Les Paul.It's likely that all these thin veneers have the same slightly dampening but otherwise neutral effect on sound. Oh, you can get a think spalted slab top, carved or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C-4 Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Western big leaf maple versus eastern and hard rock maple will have a bigger effect on tone.Western maple is sodfter then eastern and hard rock maple and the differences in tone are noticable. Interestingly enough, Spalted maple is chosen by more leper guitar players then any other type of maple for their guitar tops, probably because it is the closest thing to rotting flesh of all the wood types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted January 7, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 7, 2009 Interestingly enough, Spalted maple is chosen by more leper guitar players then any other type of maple for their guitar tops, probably because it is the closest thing to rotting flesh of all the wood types. I was unaware of that many leper guitarists:cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Western big leaf maple versus eastern and hard rock maple will have a bigger effect on tone. Western maple is sodfter then eastern and hard rock maple and the differences in tone are noticable. Interestingly enough, Spalted maple is chosen by more leper guitar players then any other type of maple for their guitar tops, probably because it is the closest thing to rotting flesh of all the wood types. You talking to me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steadfastly Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Apparently the spalted maple gives a bit more of a spalted sound whereas the regular maple gives more of a regular maple tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CenturyStanding Posted January 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Apparently the spalted maple gives a bit more of a spalted sound whereas the regular maple gives more of a regular maple tone. I will slap your face off of your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fatbagg Posted January 8, 2009 Members Share Posted January 8, 2009 Spalted maple is a softer maple, yes...The grain effect IS REAL, is is decay/molding. Because it is a softer maple, it is a bit warmer/not as bright as flame or most others. I own a usa spalt, and have talked to MANY builders and all have agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fatbagg Posted January 8, 2009 Members Share Posted January 8, 2009 My guitars have 1/4 thick maple, same as most flametops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PanaDP Posted January 8, 2009 Members Share Posted January 8, 2009 Not all spalted wood is soft and spongy. Spalting is a long process. You can have spalted looking wood that works the same and is structurally the same as clear maple. You can also have spalted wood that falls apart in your hands if you're not careful. Any guitar manufacturer worth anything will be using the former and it won't be any different than clear, birdseye, flamed, or burled maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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