Vintage Eastern Maple Ribbon Flame Matched Top Set LP Beauty Of The Burst

  
I have photographed and showed "matched" options for the front and back of these 2 panels (there is a pencil outline and template overlay with measuring tape for fit and visual reference)- you will have a difficult time picking which option to use! This listing is an exceptional well figured Eastern maple- two (2) panel halves pre-cut to shape to fit a Les Paul Single cut-away pattern for re-top or conversion. There are slack and space to move the pattern around if need be within the cut shaped foot print of each halve- see measuring tape and template for fit reference. Both front and back side photographed along with a tape measure, LP pattern for fit and for visual reference.

This listing for LP guitar top matched set has been seasoning for 55 plus years. This has developed a patina, desirable character like the mineral brown flecks, excellent growth rings and excellent bright tap tone.

This board is not flat and the thickness is approximately. 965- this will require to be jointed planed/surfaced so both faces are parallel and even thickness. Will yield a workable 3/4. This eastern maple matched top set (red maple; acer rubrum) that is well seasoned (55 years) from my wood library collection. This old growth, vintage Eastern maple from the east coast region came from a highly figured veneer grade exceptional log.

This has excellent growth ring spacing, all sapwood, rough surfaced 2 face with medium density. Ideal for a re-top conversion or restoration- ideal ingredient candidate if you are trying to recreate the essence for that vintage "beauty of the burst" project and require a period correct old growth, seasoned material- this might be just the IDEAL matched set for that deep dish carved top re-top or conversion!

Matched Set technique/applications were used back in the 1950's for burst top guitars- the 2 panel halves could come from the same board or from a flitch from a log and were either flip matched, slip matched, etc. In order to form a top set and/or give the "illusion" of being book-matched! LP single-cut outline and template overlay is approximately 17-1/2" long, 6-1/2" + wide for fit and proposed lay-out. Please see photo's with measuring tape measurements for approximation.

This has excellent chatoyance with excellent figuring depth with excellent tap tone! This will require additional flattening/surfacing to your thickness specification.

Dimensions (approximate shown in inches and measured at the lowest point). Panel 1 (non single-cutaway halve). Width = 6-15/16" at lower bout / 7-5/8" hips / 4-7/8" waist / 5-9/16" at upper bout width. Old growth/air dried/kiln dried/well seasoned (currently 10-11 percent moisture content). Cream to yellow color tone is from oxidation and surface patina from aging over time. Rough surfaced two face/side edge rough milled cut. This raw blank will require additional drying time per your acceptable build specifications and will also need need proper acclimation to your shop prior to fabrication. Clear shellac/denatured alcohol mixed applied to the surface to help show color, grain and figure (if any). Photographed with exterior natural lighting conditions. Ends sealed with Anchor seal. Physical weight is approximately 5.66 pounds. There is a fine cup about 1/16 on the one board at the end and in the middle section- about a thickness of a US dime/19 cents.

053- see photo's with measuring tape for reference. The side edge is not flat and has some chip out from rough milling from the mill- I have drawn a vertical line offset by 1/8 to show a flat edge and surfacing this will also remove the chip out. Properly jointer planeing and surfacing opposite face should yield a generous 3/4 thickness or. There is a pin size hole about 1/32" in diameter and about 1/4" deep when I probed it.

There is a mild remnant of mineral deposit inside the pattern of the lower bout- see photo for reference. This could be surfaced to reduce it and/or this should drop off as this is the lowest point of the perimeter recurved area.