Exotic Woods

[jorge_s]

I am very curious to find out why guitars and basses made today have such beautiful wood.  Particularly maple guitars have such incredible figure.  Even inexpensive brands are able to have spectacular tops.  When I look at electric guitars from the 50?s and 60?s you just don?t see that as often.  I have seen some beautiful Les Pauls and stunning archtops but even these were usually not bookmatched.  I wonder if it is due to a more ?global? economy and better distribution of exotic wood?  Perhaps I just haven?t looked hard enough.

[hydrargyrum]

Well,
 
If I may care to venture a guess, Fender did a lot to spur on the painted guitar phenomenon in the above mentioned era.  At the time, the sleekly painted stratocasters were the height of the modern manufacturing age.  Some felt they looked futuristic compared to the traditional wood grain and sunburst guitars of the past. This may have influenced the market for decades to come.

[valvil]

That's an interesting question. I 've thought about it myself on occasion; I can think of a couple of reasons which might explain it.
 
I bet that most companies did not use really fancy woods because they thought it would be overkill;
in the early days, companies (Leo Fender for sure) were looking to make mass produced instruments that the general public could afford. Topping them with expensive woods, would have not helped. Painting the instruments with solid colors makes it possible to use cheaper woods with plain grain or even cosmetic blemishes, thus reducing the cost of materials.
 
It really wasn't until Alembic and other small makers got into the action that you started seeing  fancy woods on a regular basis. To compete with the big boys you need something special to make your instruments stand out, and fancy woods are a great way of doing that.  
 
I think your observation on the more global-internet fueled economy is also quite valid and likely has a lot to do with the fact that we see so many instruments with nice woods these days.  
 
 
Valentino

[bigredbass]

Another point not to be missed is that so many other makers use solid finishes.  Ever see the wood under a stripped Black Les Paul Custom?  THAT's why they painted them.  
 
Sonically it sounded great, but eliminated hand sorting, book matching, saved money, all of which is REAL important when you're slamming out a couple hundred guitars a day.  That sort of hand-picking the woods was usually reserved strictly for the best archtops or box guitars:  Straight grain spruce, fiddle back/ flame maple for the back and sides, etc., since these were usually in see thru finishes.  Solid bodies were regarded as a lesser instrument after these, so in the mindset of the day, you didn't see the fancy woods in them as often.  That's how you wind up with flame top Pauls from the late 50s that are obviously NOT book matched on top, yet so dearly lusted after.  Archtops were Lincolns, solid bodies were Fords.
 
It's just become the standard style for traditional electric guitars.  You can see very expensive Custom Shop Fenders and Tom Murphy Gibsons all over the place, but the twists applied are rarely the body or neck wood.  Fender occasionally offers 'other wood' examples (they're offering Koa Strats this year, Gibson periodically reissues something in korina) but these will NOT be big ticket items at Gruhns or Elderly 20 years from now.  The only exception I can think of are the Rosewood Teles because of George, but they're usually so heavy it limits their appeal.
 
I'm hoping as more and more acoustics show up in exotic woods, this will influence electric style.
I'd be interested to pick the Warmoth Brothers' mind, what would be the rough mix of Strat bodies and necks they sell in traditional (ash, alder, maple) vs. non-traditional (mahogany, koa, laminated top, etc.) woods.  Or the percentage of ebony fingerboard necks.
 
Guitar players are way more locked into a more narrow tradition than bassists, instrument wise.
Except for our friends here who drive Tributes, California Specials, etc., obvious examples of much higher intelligence and impeccable taste ! !
 
J o e y

[jazzyvee]

Beware of some of the cheaper guitars that have seemingly highly figured wood tops and backs. These are photorealistic laminates similar to those you see on laminated floors and not genuine good quality exotic wood.

[David Houck]

Wow!  I didn't know that.

[jacko]

I very nearly bought a dining table like that. Even the underside had a laminate  so that the whole looked like solid wood. Turned out to be MDF! You really have to read the small print these days.
 
Graeme

[lidon2001]

Fender Foto Flame.  I always liked this rumor.
 
http://www.bunnybass.com/e-zine/amusing/amusingbass24.shtml

[keith_h]

Fender foto flame ....  
The pattern looks more like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas to me.  
 
Keith

[David Houck]

I don't understand.  What exactly is a photo realistic laminate?  What is it made of?

[dadabass2001]

Very thin slices of lamb, wedged between photos of a Radio Shack warehouse.
 
(yum, yum)
 
the midday punster

[David Houck]

Mike; Radio Shack - Realistic; hah!  Lunch is over, go back to work!

[lidon2001]

Dave, I assume the process uses a clear film that has the flame figuring printed on it.  The film is applied to the body parts, then finished over.
 
T

[811952]

My Lakland Skyline fiver has a photo-realistic veneer.  Looks awesome with a tobacco sunburst, but certainly seems like cheating to me.    John  

 

[keith_h]

Boy John you sure seem to have held up well over the years. LOL.  
 
Keith