Maple
Maple Tonewood

Botanical Name: Acer saccharum (Hard Maple) / Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)

Average Dried Weight: 44 lbs/ft³ (705 kg/m³) for Hard Maple

Acoustic Properties & Overview:
Maple is a cornerstone of guitar manufacturing. Known for its high density and stiffness, it produces a bright, focused, and articulate tone with quick note decay. This strong fundamental response provides exceptional note separation, making it the industry standard for bolt-on necks, fretboards, and highly decorative electric guitar drop tops.

Workability & Appearance:
Generally featuring a creamy white to pale reddish-brown hue, Maple turns and machines well. What makes Maple truly exceptional is its ability to absorb colored dyes and undergo resin-stabilization processes perfectly. This brings out the striking depth of figured variants, making it a favorite for custom aesthetic builds.

🌟 Figured Maple Variations

Beyond standard straight grain, Maple is world-renowned for its stunning natural figures, highly prized for premium guitar tops and veneers:

  • Flame / Curly Maple: Features a horizontal, tiger-stripe pattern that creates a beautiful 3D illusion (chatoyancy) under finish.
  • Birdseye Maple: Dotted with small, swirling "eyes" that resemble bird's eyes, extremely popular for high-end fretboards and custom cues.
  • Quilted / Pomelle Maple: Displays a rippling, 3D bubbly texture, offering a spectacular visual depth when dyed.
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