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Flame maple (tiger maple), also known as ''flamed maple'', ''curly maple'', ''ripple maple'', ''fiddleback'' or ''tiger stripe'', is a feature of
When wood from a tree with undulating grain is split, the wood splits along the undulations, so that the split log shows, and one can feel, the physical waviness.
When the wood is sawn flat, effectively cutting off the "tops" of the "waves", the result is an alternating pattern of end grain and flat grain. As end grain naturally absorbs more stain than flat grain, staining the sawn wood accentuates the striped pattern.
File:Peavey EVH Wolfgang guitar (body) at Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio, Texas.jpg, Curly
File:PRS Custom (1988) Santana guitar (body), MIM PHX.jpg, Ribbon curl
File:Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard (body) edited.jpg, Flame
File:2012 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus body (by ravas51) vertical.jpg, Tiger stripe
File:Ephiphone Slash Signature Les Paul (clip), Juliens Auctions Preview 2011-03-08.jpg, Fiddleback
File:D'Angelico EX-SD body.jpg, Pin stripe
;Other types of figure maple wood (for comparison)
File:Agile AD-3000 body front.jpg, Blister
File:Epiphone Les Paul Classic Birdseye (1994-1998) body.jpg,
maple
''Acer'' is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as maples. The genus is placed in the soapberry family Sapindaceae.Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008 nd more or less continuously updated si ...
in which the growth of the wood fibers is distorted in an undulating chatoyant pattern, producing wavy lines known as "flames". This effect is often mistakenly said to be part of the grain
A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached husk, hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and ...
of the wood; it is more accurately called "figure
Figure may refer to:
General
*A shape, drawing, depiction, or geometric configuration
*Figure (wood), wood appearance
*Figure (music), distinguished from musical motif
* Noise figure, in telecommunication
* Dance figure, an elementary dance patt ...
", as the distortion is perpendicular to the grain direction. Prized for its beautiful appearance, it is used frequently in the manufacturing of fine furniture and musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make Music, musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person ...
s, such as violins, guitars, and bassoons.
During the westward expansion of early settlers and explorers into the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain ...
, curly maple was often used for making the stocks used on Kentucky rifle
The long rifle, also known as the Kentucky rifle, Pennsylvania rifle, or American long rifle, is a muzzle-loading firearm used for hunting and warfare. It was one of the first commonly-used rifles. The American rifle was characterized by a ver ...
s.
About the Wood
When wood from a tree with undulating grain is split, the wood splits along the undulations, so that the split log shows, and one can feel, the physical waviness.
When the wood is sawn flat, effectively cutting off the "tops" of the "waves", the result is an alternating pattern of end grain and flat grain. As end grain naturally absorbs more stain than flat grain, staining the sawn wood accentuates the striped pattern.
Usage in guitars
Figures on (1958-1960)
According to the ''Beauty Of The Burst'' by Yasuhiko Watanabe, the figures seen on the sunburstLes Paul
Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009), known as Les Paul, was an American jazz guitarist, jazz, country guitarist, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid body ...
are categorized into 8 types: 6 types of flame maple (''Curly'', ''Ribbon curly'', ''Flame'', ''Tiger stripe'', ''Fiddleback'', ''Pin stripe''), and 2 other types (''Blister'' and ''Bird's eye
Birds Eye is an international brand of frozen foods founded in the United States and now owned by Conagra Brands in the United States, by Nomad Foods in Europe, and Simplot in Australia.
The former Birds Eye Company Ltd., originally named "Bi ...
'').
"" (For details, see excerpted images oquilt maple
Quilt or quilted maple refers to a type of Figure (wood), figure in maple wood. It is seen on the tangential plane (Flat sawing, flat-sawn) and looks like a wavy "quilted" pattern, often similar to ripples on water. The highest quality quilted ...
.
Figures on
;6 types of flame maple woodBird's eye
Birds Eye is an international brand of frozen foods founded in the United States and now owned by Conagra Brands in the United States, by Nomad Foods in Europe, and Simplot in Australia.
The former Birds Eye Company Ltd., originally named "Bi ...
File:BACCHUS.jpg, Quilt maple
Quilt or quilted maple refers to a type of Figure (wood), figure in maple wood. It is seen on the tangential plane (Flat sawing, flat-sawn) and looks like a wavy "quilted" pattern, often similar to ripples on water. The highest quality quilted ...
See also
*Quilt maple
Quilt or quilted maple refers to a type of Figure (wood), figure in maple wood. It is seen on the tangential plane (Flat sawing, flat-sawn) and looks like a wavy "quilted" pattern, often similar to ripples on water. The highest quality quilted ...
* Birdseye maple
Bird's eye is a type of figure that occurs within several kinds of wood, most notably hard maple. It has a distinctive pattern that resembles tiny, swirling eyes disrupting the smooth lines of grain. It is somewhat reminiscent of a burl, but i ...
Notes