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Wood p@rn - why do we bother?

reverendrally

reverendrally

Jun 7, 2008
2,622
1,979
Sydney Australia
obsofaboganpastor.blogspot.com.au
#1
Disclaimer: Just wanna start by saying, I have the enormous respect for all the builders on here. The comment I'm about to make is not a shot at anyone by rather an observation and a question about the nature of the luthiers scene as it seems to occur in most places.

Wood P@rn - why do we bother with it?

Now, I'm not wanting to start a tone wood debate or whatever, but I have noticed that there are certain things within luthier circles that are looked upon as "the thing to do". The main one, from what I can figure out is laminates of figured wood. Properly made guitars apparently should have it. All of the standout basses on this forum appear to be covered in it. In some cases to the point where it literally hurts my eyes. Different burls, birdseyes and whatever all on the instrument.

What I want to know is, beyond visual aesthetics, does it actually add to the instrument?

Now I know music is about 50% aesthetics. That's as it should be and we're creating paintbrushes for artists, if you will. But it still leaves me wondering.
 
#2
Music is 100% aesthetics, whether its visual or aural.

Figured wood certainly isn't necessary, but it looks nice, and people want nice looking stuff. Well-made guitars don't need it, but people spending gobs of money on a custom instrument want it to stand out. I suppose it could be called a bit of attention-whoring, but it's mostly harmless (as long as the wood in question is not endangered or anything).

I won't get into (what I see as) the pedantic sillyness of what different woods do or do not add in terms of sonic contribution...I guess I just like those woods because they look nice and are fun to work with. Figured woods can be a lot more complicated to work with, and a lot more delicate. From a practical perspective, it's probably more trouble than it's worth.
 
#7
reverendrally said:
What I want to know is, beyond visual aesthetics, does it actually add to the instrument?
Click to expand...

Absolutely nothing. Haven't you seen enough $200 instruments with 5A Curly/Quilt Maple veneer over plywood? It's all about aesthetics; people choose highly figured woods because they look nice.

If you keep laminate tops thin, it won't hurt the tone, but some might even argue against the use of figured woods on the grounds that some can be tonally dead. If you take a burl top, for example, it is the deformed growth of the tree, including a great variation of structure and density.
 
#8
Yes, figures look good, and they attract attention, but they also do so for the builder. Many builders who build high quality instruments do not use heavily figured woods, and many of them fly completely under the radar while maintaining a steady clientele. There are so many builders using really eye popping tops these days that it has almost become the "Black Fender" ethic. People charging $4-7K for an instrument basically because it looks awesome, like a black fender it has become standard in the custom community. It adds to sale value for the builder beyond what the player sees. It's about attracting attention and jacking up the price for most these days, and nothing else.
 
#11
reverendrally said:
The silly thing about that is, with burled tops and the like, the only person who can tell they look amazing is the bass player and 2 people in front of him. To the rest of the room it's just a brown blur. :D
Click to expand...

I couldn't care less, personally. My basses look good so that I can enjoy them. Whether or not anyone else notices (or appreciates) my aesthetic choices is not my problem.:hyper:

On the other hand, there are plenty of players that like having their image. But they can choose their woods and/or paintjobs accordingly.

Side note, burls aren't always brown.
You can end with with red, tan or grey.
 
#12
you are right about most other people not noticing - I pulled out my kala ubass for a few songs in a gig the other night and out of a whole bar full of people I think only 3 or 4 people noticed.

On another related note, our intruments are kind of like golf clubs - you always play better if you like your club/instrument.
 
#13
I always think figured woods on a bass look pretty vulgar to be honest. Like the sort of dining table a lottery winner might buy - ostentatious and ugly. But then I've never thought of getting a personalised plate for my car. Or buying a massive gold chain. Or a medallion with my initials on it. Etc.
 
#14
kevteop said:
I always think figured woods on a bass look pretty vulgar to be honest. Like the sort of dining table a lottery winner might buy - ostentatious and ugly. But then I've never thought of getting a personalised plate for my car. Or buying a massive gold chain. Or a medallion with my initials on it. Etc.
Click to expand...

Once again personal taste. Many people do not like Figured tops, they like Paint, or plain woods, or clear plastic. It's all conjecture.
 
#18
Same reason we don't all drive the same color car,or all play the same song the same way,everyone's got difference tastes.I love the individuality and character of figured wood,doesn't mean it makes an instrument any better than a painted one,it's just what appeals to me personally.
 

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