Who is responsible for the proliferation of flame/quilt/burl tops/veneers?

[LLL]

I would blame Paul Reed Smith in the 90's and 2Ks for really kicking the fad into overdrive... and to a lesser extent, Carvin.

Gibson etc always had the flametop Les Pauls, but when PRS was coming up, they were really pumping out the super flame / curly maple tops.

Carvin always had the super flame / curly maple top options in the 80's.

Once upon a time, having a flame top or curly map on your guitar was a big deal; not anymore with the over-saturation.

I personally never cared for them.

[El Dunco]

Basically none of my guitars besides my Am-strat (not a lot of choices being a lefty and all, it’s the standard tobacco sunburst) Washburn (tiger maple) and Schecter (quilted maple) are anything other than one solid colour. Whoever said the detail is lost on stage gets it. At least the tiger maple is orange on red for more contrast. The Schecter maybe gets a second of “oh, nice” factor from the burgundy-on-black but no-one would say it looks bad without the quilted maple.

Even my Ibanez Les Paul has a thick maple cap and keep it solid black which to me seems like it’s more about utility than aesthetic (I know, I can’t prove it makes a difference, what am I gonna do, saw it off?) Some figured tops I’ve seen that aren’t painted on looks like it’s a millimeter thick, like they’re being really stingy to save money and you can’t tell wher it begins and ends.

[Mr. 80's]

Never been a fan of figured top guitars, especially highly figured tops. I'll take solid colors and graphics any day. I've only ever gotten one figured top guitar because the price was really good and it plays, sounds fantastic. I would love to get it repainted solid someday and maybe a cool graphic or something.

[ThreeChordWonder]

If it's a nice piece of wood great. Either the complete "plank" or a decent thickness (like 3/16ths or so and up) top. If it's faked or paper thin veneer over sh#twood no thanks.

[uOpt]

I like veneers as long as it is real (although thin) wood. Carved tops can be over the top.

[soulforger]

Both Carvin and Hamer back in the 80's were building guitars with solid figured bodies. Not Figured tops but solid figured bodies and necks. Had a Hamer Vintage S that was solid quilt maple as an example. Some of the highly figured Carvins in both flame and quilt maple plus highly figured KOA were absolutely stunning many with equally highly figured necks. My early to mid 90's Washburn USA guitars with quilt drop tops are absolutely jaw dropping in the flesh and no photo does them justice. Had a late 70's flame Green Burst X shaped Aria U 60 Deluxe that was also a real looker and one of the best guitars I ever owned. Gibson was the first I remember seeing seeing but a lot of others had figured top and bodies in the late 70's.

Definitely Carvin, I remember in the early '80s I sent away for a catalog and I had never seen so much quilted and flamed (what they called "curly) maple...and the Koa! Lots of gold hardware and those 22 pole pickups! I really wanted a V220, never did buy one though!

[weepingminotaur]

I like most of them, unless they look like diseases under a microscope, or if it is all way too busy.

Same. To me, figured tops are great if they are simple and the pattern is there to support the look, rather than an end in and of itself. Schecter, Jackson, and Charvel have a few "disease under microscope" patterns that don't do it for me at all.

Edit: And liking figured tops doesn't mean I shun solid colors. I will always appreciate a "tuxedo" single-cut (black with gold hardware), and I'm a fan of specific shades of blue and pink on Strat-style guitars.

[NegativeEase]

Ive never cared about fancy tops, I'm trying to make sounds. All of my dozens of guitars are player grade and abused.

But I understand that a lot of people like the artistic and collectable side of a guitars beauty.

And they keep the makers in business.

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I blame Dean! and I'm calling my lawyer!

[devastone]

I can take or leave maple tops, depends on the guitar but I agree with LLL, I think PRS really started the proliferation of maple tops in the late 80s.

[JOLLY]

I love flamed and quilted tops on guitars. I can't stand satin paint jobs.

[weepingminotaur]

People who think the aesthetics of the guitars they play and own don't factor into purchase and playing are kidding themselves. Looks matter for all of us, regardless of our specific tastes.

[Aceman]

I like a supremely flamed top. It distracts from my mediocre chops.

That said - all 4 Les Pauls basically plain tops.

[Mincer]

I love flamed and quilted tops on guitars. I can't stand satin paint jobs.

See, I like flame and quilted satin finishes.

[Demanic]

My favorite pattern is spalted. Next is burl, flame and tiger, tied. Quilted has it's place too.
And as far as photofinish or veneer, as David Spade once said, real that look like they're fake, fake that look like they're real.
Either way, I'm good.

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