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RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to tmock)
No maple guitars yet...
The reason. I havent played any maple flamenco I liked, and Cypress is such a wonderfull tonewood. I will probably build one some day, but It´s not first on the list. I will do some tests on alternative negra woods. The rosewoods which are being used for negras (exept indian and a few others) are getting scarce and what is offered is very often VERY expensive and very poor quality.
I´ve played some maple steel string guitars which I liked a lot, and quite a few violins. So you can make it sound.
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
I have one flamenco maple back and was quite surprised by the sound. Clear, but still deep and rich. Very percussive, light weight guitar. Not like rosewood, but it seems to sustain a bit more than cypress by the same maker. In J. Ramirez III's book, he talks in the flamenco section about his grandfather's "Tablao" model guitar, the prefered choice of the pro flamenco players in the early 1900's. The one he owned was made of maple surprisingly. They considered it a "blanca" I think, because of the color.
Anyway, you might want to try some of the Bolivian rosewoods. My friends picked up some guitars from their home town (Cochabamba), and the guitars look and sound great. I like the look better than Indian, and the sound is good too. These guitars were not Pau Ferro, but it looked like that. And I am thinking it is not so famous wood, and not so expensive. My friends said there are MANY such woods that would be good for guitars, even not yet explored. They have one called "Jacaranda", but it is NOT the famous Brazilian Rosewood, but a much lighter color.
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to tmock)
Some 100 years ago, a lot of Spanish builders made their top model Blanca with maple. I know that Santos Hernadez did so as well. Maple was used a lot in stringed instrument building here in europe . Lutes, Vihuela etc. were made with maple. I will build with maple one day, but it will take some time
I know you can get good wood from Amazonas, but at this moment I try to stear clear of those woods. It´s such a mess, what you are offered and prices are way to high. The problem is that sellers put everyhing into categories like Jacaranda and Caviuna because they are not scientifical, so sometimes its Braz rosewood, sometimes its Pau Ferro and sometimes its just a brown wood with no name and no sound flatsawn and completely dead. Its impotant to judge wood (and guitars) with the ears and hands and not so much with the eyes.
Posts: 143
Joined: Jan. 23 2005
From: New York, New York
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to Ricardo)
I had always heard that maple guitars tended to sound kind of austere, even harsh. But lately I've read about and/or heard several maple guitars that have a deep, warm, woody, truly flamenco sound that I really like. And although it's not my first concern when judging a guitar, I love the look of flamed maple.
My curiousity was originally peaked by this guitar Aaron Green built for La Bella. This thing's so pretty it makes me blush. The vintage looking french polish seals the deal. I'd love to hear it! Granted, it's a classical, but if Aaron built a flamenco version with pegs, he just might raise Ramon Montoya from the dead...
Travis.
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Posts: 143
Joined: Jan. 23 2005
From: New York, New York
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
Yeah, quilted maple is incredibly beautiful wood. I don't why though, but I don't really like it on acoustic guitars, especially classical or flamenco, as much as flamed maple. Maybe it's because I associate flamed maple with violins and cellos and quilted maple with PRS electric guitars with lots of abalone bindings and such. I like that stuff on electrics, but it doesn't seem to fit the asthetics of the classic or flamenco guitar. That's just my taste, though.
I could just look at the wood on a nice intrument for a long time. In fact, my guitar teacher and I used to do that when he would get a new guitar in for his shop. I spent a long time just looking at the pics of that beautiful Madagascar Rosewood guitar you posted on the forum a little while ago. I'd love to hear it!
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to JBASHORUN)
I must say that Jose Oribe makes exceptional flamenco guitars - in beauty and sound - in the most beautiful, birds-eye maple! His cedar top/ birdseye maple back and sides flamenco especially has great volume. He makes great guitars - if you can afford them - check out his website!
Posts: 143
Joined: Jan. 23 2005
From: New York, New York
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to JBASHORUN)
quote:
I believe Conde Hermanos make a German Maple version of the A25/R:
Yup, they do. The pic TANunez posted above is the back of a Conde Felipe V in maple. They make an A25/R in maple, too, flamed or quilted.
GailP, I'd never heard of Jose Oribe's guitars, but I checked out his website, and they're really beautiful. They are really expensive, though! $13,000-14,000 for the top models!
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
quote:
Are the Condes Felipe V with Valencia factory ebony reinforcement center strip in the neck?
Anders how did you know? the ebony is from the oldest tree in Africa cut by one man with a razor blade. The maple is also from a tree at Domingo Esteso's house.
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to tmock)
Tom. You know I only use Ebony cut with stone axes
No, I just wonder... Thats it. I find this solution to be the least elegant one and very factory like, and on a guitar of this price, I think they could have made someting better.
If you laminate the whole neck, heal and headstock, meaning that the black line goes all the way through the neck, Its very elegant, but this............
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to tmock)
I think you are right. I´m not an expert on old instruments, but I remember reading about these guitars some years ago. Anyway, its a wonderfull instrument, and I would very much like to try it
I'm looking forward to hearing the guitar and your thoughts on it Anders. From what others are saying I'm starting to think that maple may be half way between a blanca and negra, you know, sweeter than a blanca but not as bassy as a negra.
Sounds interesting, I'll keep an eye on your blog.
RE: Any maple Anders guitars out there? (in reply to Arash)
quote:
Maple Guitars sometimes sound quite good.
Here is one from a 2010 José Marín Plazuelo
Cool video Arash. I like Amir. The guitar does sound good. I also saw a video of Ricardo playing his maple guitar which sounded good. But then again, I'm pretty sure Amir or Ricardo could make any guitar sound good.
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flatsawn and completely dead. Its impotant to judge wood (and guitars) with the ears and hands and not so much with the eyes. 
The vintage looking french polish seals the deal. I'd love to hear it! Granted, it's a classical, but if Aaron built a flamenco version with pegs, he just might raise Ramon Montoya from the dead... 
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