Do You Dig A Furniture Or Hot Rod Finish On Electric Guitar?

beaubrummels said:
I want to see the wood grain. Solid colors hide the flawed woods, according to multiple manufacturers I've spoken with.
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Maybe flawed "visually" and that's nothing to care about with a solid finish. Lots of pretty wood out there that doesn't sound so great either (since I know thats what you're getting at). Just because it's trans and beautiful grains doesn't automatically = better sounding. So it's smart if manufactures pick the not so pretty wood for solid finishes. But even some of the pretty trans ones have a nice piece of venere hiding the lesser looking stuff underneath.

On topic:
I prefer solid colors and or graphics. I do like some of the mildly figured tops but don't like highly figured tops at all. They just don't have any "character" I would want in figured wood. Not a stab at anyone who loves them or brands that do it, they just aren't my thing. :)
 
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Mr. 80's said:
Maybe flawed "visually" and that's nothing to care about with a solid finish. Lots of pretty wood out there that doesn't sound so great either (since I know thats what you're getting at). Just because it's trans and beautiful grains doesn't automatically = better sounding. So it's smart if manufactures pick the not so pretty wood for solid finishes. But even some of the pretty trans ones have a nice piece of venere hiding the lesser looking stuff underneath.

On topic:
I prefer solid colors and or graphics. I do like some of the mildly figured tops but don't like highly figured tops at all. They just don't have any "character" I would want in figured wood. Not a stab at anyone who loves them or brands that do it, they just aren't my thing. :)
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If you can see the grain, you can pick the wood. I didn't say all visible wood was good. Manufacturers have told me that if there are too many knots or odd grain patterns from what was nearby knots and imperfections, the wood is less resonant and less consistent across the frequencies. It is possible to find great sounding instruments that are solid colors. I have several. It's just seeing the wood is a preference for me. But whatever people like.
 
It really depends on the axe.

The question made me do a deep dive on my guitars and 3 of my 4 Les Pauls are solid finishes, as well as 3-4 of my Fenders and all 4 of my Ibanezes. Looking through the rest of the collection my Ovation Deacon and B. C. Rich Mockingbird are the only other 6-string furniture I own. So while I love my furniture guitars I would have to say looking at my guitars I guess I am a Hot Rod guy
 
I love all types, as long as they're tastefully done. Solid colors can be garish or boring or great. Wood grains can be sexy or dull. Finishes can be eye-catching and gorgeous or eye-catching for the wrong reasons. I do tend to prefer bolder colors, but I'm pretty open, and I evaluate it on a case-by-case basis.
 
I love a beautiful dark tobacco burst finish where the edges are near black and the center seems to glow from within, but all three of my guitars are black.
 
beaubrummels said:
I want to see the wood grain. Solid colors hide the flawed woods, according to multiple manufacturers I've spoken with.
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And rightfully so. This is simply good sense, isn't it?

As for the question, I like both, and although certain types of guitar tend to lean towards one or the other for me, that is rarely set in stone. I have a translucent blue Kramer Pacer Deluxe that has turned greenish over the years, and although that isn't a type of finish that is typical for those guitars, I love mine.

Kramer-Pacer-translucent-emerald.jpg


This is not mine, but the colour is really close.
 
I will add that I don't normally like the look of flamed or quilted maple. I blame this on having started playing around a time when photo flames became ubiquitous, and to me they simply scream "cheap!". Even for something with a Les Paul I'd much rather have a plain maple top.
 
Sirion said:
I will add that I don't normally like the look of flamed or quilted maple. I blame this on having started playing around a time when photo flames became ubiquitous, and to me they simply scream "cheap!". Even for something with a Les Paul I'd much rather have a plain maple top.
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I prefer understated plain tops, generally, but I do have a couple with a bit of figure.

I totally hear you; those ‘foto flame’ and double stained veneers are a whole new level of ugly.
 
I don't mind raw necks. I have one made of wenge, and it looks and feels nice to play. I don't think I would like a raw unfinished body. It is too much like eating the ice cream cup with the wooden spoon in grade school.
Trying to decide the next Warmoth build. I like the look of Koa, but man, that stuff is crazy expensive.
 
Mincer said:
I don't mind raw necks. I have one made of wenge, and it looks and feels nice to play. I don't think I would like a raw unfinished body. It is too much like eating the ice cream cup with the wooden spoon in grade school.
Trying to decide the next Warmoth build. I like the look of Koa, but man, that stuff is crazy expensive.
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Is it even possible to get Koa from them any more? I can only find the laminate option. In general, my impression is that you basically need to be Reb Beach to get a guitar made out of Koa these days.
 
Sirion said:
I will add that I don't normally like the look of flamed or quilted maple. I blame this on having started playing around a time when photo flames became ubiquitous, and to me they simply scream "cheap!". Even for something with a Les Paul I'd much rather have a plain maple top.
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I feel the same way with most AAA,and all AAAA and up to 10 tops, they just look fake/cheap and have no character at all. I just love a more random pattern AA or less. Not a fan of figured photo tops at all. We all have different taste and that's a good thing. :)
 
Koa only comes from one place in the world - Hawaii. The supply was already limited, and demand has remained high since the 50's for fine instruments and fine furniture. Yes - I love its' buttery golden hues and rich mahogany tones. I'm lucky to have samples of it in small amounts - but I'd give a large stack of tall green to acquire some in billet form to build one piece solid body guitars from it. It's gorgeous in every way, and desirable as hell.
 
ICTGoober said:
Koa only comes from one place in the world - Hawaii. The supply was already limited, and demand has remained high since the 50's for fine instruments and fine furniture. Yes - I love its' buttery golden hues and rich mahogany tones. I'm lucky to have samples of it in small amounts - but I'd give a large stack of tall green to acquire some in billet form to build one piece solid body guitars from it. It's gorgeous in every way, and desirable as hell.
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Plain Koa is beautiful on guitars. Beautiful color/hues a very subtle but bold natural grain to it. Does look great. The others are fantastic for furniture IMHO. I love all highly figured woods on furniture and crafts, just not guitars. I know I'm weird, but in a good way. :)
 
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ICTGoober said:
Koa only comes from one place in the world - Hawaii. The supply was already limited, and demand has remained high since the 50's for fine instruments and fine furniture. Yes - I love its' buttery golden hues and rich mahogany tones. I'm lucky to have samples of it in small amounts - but I'd give a large stack of tall green to acquire some in billet form to build one piece solid body guitars from it. It's gorgeous in every way, and desirable as hell.
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Someday I’ll own a Koa Taylor. I should probably make it sooner rather than later, or it might not happen.

Those Koa logs are $ Millions each. I’m glad they are harvesting in a sustainable manner or it would be gone in a generation or less.
 
Sirion said:
Is it even possible to get Koa from them any more? I can only find the laminate option. In general, my impression is that you basically need to be Reb Beach to get a guitar made out of Koa these days.
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You can get it as a laminate top. I wouldn't want a whole guitar, as it would be too heavy, I am guessing. But as a laminate top, you get the striking look with a lighter/less expensive back (thinking black limba).
 
If anyone ever wants koa but is scared off by the price or availability, they should keep an eye on figured walnut, too. Very occasionally, figured walnut can come out looking remarkably like koa once a clear gloss finish has been applied, and it's usually cheaper. 99% the same weight and tone, too.
 
I lean towards the furniture look.

Coincidentally, regarding the Koa top discussion: the 2nd one on the left - an Ibanez ART400 - has a Koa top. And it was made for only 1 year - 2008. It's my favorite as far as "feel and fit" go amongst my electrics, although the other ART series guitars in the pic are very close behind. The ART400 just happens to have a slightly thinner body profile which makes it rest against me a little better when standing up - so more ergonomically pleasing - vs the other two. I've read that Koa is supposed to be warmer than maple, but this guitar compared to the other two ART guitars which have maple tops - this Koa one seems snappier than them.

The Mahogany HSS Squier on the left was recently acquired and will be undergoing some pup and pickup selector option changes coming up soon.

The brown caimen-textured ART300 is the one that I use for pup and wiring experiments. In this pic it is still configured as an SS guitar - where I was experimenting recently to see if i could get (enough) quack using real singlecoils but without a middle pup.

The Schecter CR-6 furthest on the right has since had the stock Apocalypse II pups pulled and sold (way too hot and sizzly) and a Dimarzio Breed Neck pup installed in the bridge slot. I am awaiting delivery of a Dimarzio Dominion Neck for the Neck slot.
 

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