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11-29-2009, 03:38 PM
| | | | Poplar vs Maple
I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all.
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11-29-2009, 05:50 PM
|  | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | Quote:
Originally Posted by GregL  I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all. | What did the makers have to say?
__________________
Famous last words: And with that- Im gone. You will probably read in the paper soon about a deranged kid who burns his bass in front of a luthier. |
11-29-2009, 09:45 PM
| | Banned
Proprietor, Holmes Bass Viol Shop | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Milan, TN | | | A very good question- I hope to sit by and maybe learn something here-thanks |
11-30-2009, 12:01 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | This might help: Maple vs Poplar
Louis |
11-30-2009, 08:11 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Orlando, FL | | Quote:
Originally Posted by GregL I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all. | I have an Upton poplar flatback. I tried both when I was at their shop. Poplar has a warmer sound than the maple. I liked the poplar because it has the immediacy of sound of a flatback but a little more depth that you'd find in a carved back.
I can't speak for cracking issues. |
11-30-2009, 08:48 AM
| | Registered User
Retailer: Shen, Sun, older European | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burlingame, California | | | It's been my experience that poplar is warmer sounding and physically less brittle than maple. |
11-30-2009, 09:23 AM
| | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | Well, GregL, seems you've gotten some informative and authoritative responses. Poplar sounds so good, I guess I'll just have to order another bass.........not! 
FWIW, the Upton poplar-back Professor sounded quite sweet to me.
__________________
Famous last words: And with that- Im gone. You will probably read in the paper soon about a deranged kid who burns his bass in front of a luthier. |
11-30-2009, 05:45 PM
| | | | Thanks all for your input.
I also like the Upton Professor. I'm considering a solid poplar back Professor in Gary Karr dimensions.
More to follow as I continue my education. Love the site. |
11-30-2009, 07:20 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | On this project (which is admittedly taking for ever - I was away running a school for a while; Nick had commissions for violins etc), we have decided to use a poplar back - Nick thinks it will give the bass a sweeter, lusher sound; and we'll probably string with Twine guts. duh... 3-string restoration photos
Louis |
11-30-2009, 08:35 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by GregL Thanks all for your input.
I also like the Upton Professor. I'm considering a solid poplar back Professor in Gary Karr dimensions.
More to follow as I continue my education. Love the site. | No UB Bostonian Concert for you?
Ah, the economy of flatbacks.  |
12-01-2009, 06:55 AM
| | AES Fine Instruments | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brewster, NY, USA | | | By "Poplar", are we talking about tulipwood or true poplar? They are quite different. |
12-01-2009, 08:45 AM
|  | Registered User
Builder for Audiokinesis and Fearful speakers Endorser for EA, Roscoe | | | | | My Golia is made with poplar from the Po river in Italy. Same type as used by the master Italian makers. The sound is much warmer and darker than maple. I wonder, as does Arnold what "poplar" people are using. Tulipwood (which goes as poplar here and is the "poplar" sold at home depot) is not related to the Lombardy Poplar. The only North American wood that I know is called "black poplar". I know that Shen uses willow, but when makers say "poplar" it's pretty meaningless unless described in more detail. |
12-01-2009, 10:10 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | | To confuse the issue further Nick told me "Italian" poplar - I think his actually imported, but... I'll check
Louis
PS: I just thought I'd add what the poplar slab looked like before it gets carved (round back)
Last edited by LouisF : 12-04-2009 at 10:23 PM.
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