Members smokeynichol Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 just wondering if guitars with a 'bear claw' spruce top is any different then the regular spruce top guitar-any difference in tone??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 "Bear claw" is strictly cosmetic. No effect on tone whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 "Bear claw" is sought after among some folks. There are those who actually believe spruce with some "bear claw" makes for a better sounding guitar. Personally I doubt I'd hear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Howie22 Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 Personally I doubt I'd hear it. That's the thing. Even if it does influence the tone, would you even be able to tell? Every guitar sounds different, anyway. Even two examples of the exact same make and model will sound a bit different. My Larrivee D-03 has a bit of bearclaw. I think it looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riffmeister Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 Even if it does influence the tone, would you even be able to tell? Every guitar sounds different, anyway. Even two examples of the exact same make and model will sound a bit different. Exactly. I have a couple guitars with bearclaw. If its the right piece of wood, it can look quite beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seagullplayer77 Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 I was always under the impression that bearclaw spruce was solely a cosmetic thing, though I could be wrong. What Howie said about any possible difference in tone is spot-on. I'd be willing to bet that the general tonal variations between guitars would trump any difference in tone due the presence (or lack) of bearclaw spruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastblueheeler Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 It has more of a "growl". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitmo Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 just wondering if guitars with a 'bear claw' spruce top is any different then the regular spruce top guitar-any difference in tone??? Depends on whether it's grizzly or black bear claw: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 Here's what a well-respected luthier (Howard Klepper) says: Bearclaw is structurally different. It's a variation in the direction of the annular latewood rings. It does tend toward a greater lateral stiffness, with individual variation, of course. It isn't needed for great tone, but it is not purely cosmetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members min7b5 Posted October 23, 2010 Members Share Posted October 23, 2010 I love bearclaw. Some say it has a higher stregth to weight ratio and can be made thinner. I've found that I always like the tone of guitars with bearclaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Mooch Posted July 1, 2020 Members Share Posted July 1, 2020 Anything I have read on Bear Claw Spruce says its nothing to do with bears but comes from the way certain trees grow (ie: a genetic thing) & it may be a stronger more ridged top and so give a different sound canvas result, but this may be in the eye and ear of the beholder - some players like it , some hate it, so its a choice issue as all acoustic guitars are - Hooray - personally I've never been a fan but recently i purchased a Lag Tramontane Hyvibe 30 guitar that only comes with Bearclaw tops for this model - so, although the guitar has not arrived as yet I find I'm very much looking forward to hearing and seeing for myself it the beliefs of the Bear Claw characteristics are true if only a little bit . This Lag hyvibe guitar depends considerably on having a stiff responsive top as the top acts as speaker for the characteristics of this "Smart" guitar so the designers are hoping it does a good job - soon I will find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gibson29 Posted July 7, 2020 Members Share Posted July 7, 2020 Hi Mooch! Out of curiosity and a desire for statistics, how did you happen upon this thread? It is 10 years old😆! As for bearclaw, it’s a look, I like it fine, but my belief is that even if it did have anything to do with tone, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell in any meaningful way, your LAG will sound good to your ears, or it won’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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