Life in Colour Series - Dreadnought Guitar Top - AAA Grade
Like people, each tree has its unique qualities. These tops have a delicious reddish-brown colour throughout the whole tree which is perfect for the most creative luthier to work with. The colours streaking within each piece means that each instrument built with it will be truly unique. For this series, we grade our usual grading scale with the exception of colour. Scroll down for more information regarding our grading criteria.
Whenever possible we like to use standing dead trees for tonewood. This is when the tree dies of natural causes in the forest without falling to the ground. This means it ages naturally in the forest and is dry and ready to use as soon as it is cut up.
Approximate measurements each half:
216mm wide
5mm thick
534mm long
Sold as a book-matched set.
Grading of tone wood is very subjective to the eye and experience of the grader. The grade description below attempts to capture the major characteristics involved in assessing the soundboards and will be used as a guide.
Master grade is a traditionally beautiful top without any defects, narrow even grain across the top and cross grain is very stiff.
AAA grade is a near perfect top, narrow even grain, and cross grain is very stiff.
AA grade have even or graduated grain, and cross grain is stiff. Can have only one minor defect. Possible defects can include faint colour, slight winter growth, light run out, localized deviation in grain, progression grain up to 10gpi at lower bout only (symmetrical), light knot shadow, very slight curve in grain.
A grade tops might contain contrasting colours, light compression, or wider grain (8gpi). Defects can include faint colour, slight winter growth, light run out, localized deviation in grain, progression grain up to 10gpi at lower bout only (symmetrical), light knot shadow. Grain may be uneven and cross grain stiffness will be acceptable.
