Curly Maple vs. Flamed Maple for Guitar Tops: Which One is Right for Your Build?

When building a custom guitar, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right wood for the top. Maple, with its striking grain patterns and tonal qualities, is a top contender. However, within the maple family, two varieties stand out for their aesthetic appeal: curly maple and flamed maple.

As a guitar builder, you’re likely aware that both types of maple offer incredible beauty, but the differences between them aren’t just visual — they also come from the way they’re sawn. While the two types of wood are often compared in terms of their appearance, many guitarists and builders wonder if there’s any significant tonal difference between them. The short answer? No. The visual differences are significant, but when it comes to sound, curly and flamed maple are nearly identical.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into curly maple vs. flamed maple, exploring the visual differences, the sawing techniques behind them, and which wood is the best fit for your next guitar top.

1. What is Curly Maple?

Definition and Appearance

Curly maple, also known as tiger maple or fiddleback maple, is a highly figured wood that features wavy, flowing patterns in the grain. These “curls” are the result of irregularities in the growth rings of the tree.

• The curly figure is typically found in the outer part of the tree, where the grain tends to be irregular.
• When viewed in direct light, curly maple has a distinctive liquid or wave-like effect, which can resemble flowing water or a tiger’s stripes, giving it a soft, three-dimensional look.

How Curly Maple is Sawn

Curly maple is typically flat sawn, meaning the log is cut parallel to the growth rings. This cutting method results in the characteristic wavy patterns that define curly maple.

Flat sawing is the most common way to cut maple, and it produces a surface where the grain is mostly parallel to the face of the board.

This grain pattern causes the distinctive curl, giving the wood a fluid, undulating appearance.

Uses for Curly Maple in Guitar Building

Curly maple is one of the most popular choices for guitar tops, especially in high-end builds. Its eye-catching appearance makes it perfect for:

• Guitar tops: Curly maple is often used in premium guitar builds, where its beauty is as important as the tonal qualities.
• Necks and bodies: It’s also used for guitar necks and even bodies, providing both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

Curly maple’s softer, more subtle figure is ideal for builders who want a sophisticated, vintage look for their instruments.

Check out our current selection of Curly Maple Guitar Tops

2. What is Flamed Maple?

Definition and Appearance

Flamed maple is another highly figured maple, but its grain patterns are much bolder and more angular than those of curly maple. The figure in flamed maple looks like "flames" or "liquid fire", with dramatic, straight lines running perpendicular to the grain.

• The flame effect is created by sharp, distinct stripes that appear as the light hits the wood from different angles.
• Flamed maple is often recognized for its more pronounced contrast in the grain, making it a striking feature for any guitar.

How Flamed Maple is Sawn

Flamed maple is quarter sawn, which is the primary reason for its distinctive, sharp figure. In this process, the log is cut into quarters and then each quarter is sliced along the grain at a 90-degree angle to the growth rings.

Quarter sawing results in straight, vertical grain lines that create the highly defined flame pattern.

The grain structure of quarter-sawn wood is much more stable, and this results in the clear, sharp flame that distinguishes flamed maple from curly maple.

Uses for Flamed Maple in Guitar Building

Flamed maple is often used for premium guitar tops, where visual impact is a priority. Its dramatic flame figure is highly desirable for:

• Guitar tops: Flamed maple is often chosen for builds that need a bold visual statement.
• Fretboards and necks: Though less common, flamed maple is also used for necks and fretboards, where its striking pattern can really stand out.

Flamed maple is perfect for guitars where the appearance of the wood is meant to draw attention, making it an excellent choice for custom, high-end instruments.

Browse our current selection of premium quality Flamed Maple Guitar Tops

3. Curly Maple vs. Flamed Maple: Visual Comparison

The primary difference between curly maple and flamed maple comes down to their appearance and the sawing techniques that create their distinct patterns. Let’s break down how they compare visually:

Curly Maple

• Pattern: Wavy, fluid, and sweeping grain patterns.
• Look: The curl gives the wood a soft, organic appearance. It looks almost like a liquid flowing across the surface of the wood.
• Visual Impact: Curly maple has a more subtle, elegant look, making it ideal for vintage-style instruments or builds that call for a refined appearance.

Flamed Maple

• Pattern: Straight, flame-like stripes with a high degree of contrast.
• Look: The flame figure in the wood is bold and angular, giving it a more dramatic effect.
• Visual Impact: Flamed maple is often more visually striking and stands out due to its defined, sharp grain pattern. It’s often used to create instruments that demand attention.

Key Differences:

• Curly maple has a softer, flowing look, ideal for those seeking an understated elegance.
• Flamed maple offers a more dramatic, eye-catching figure with distinct lines and a bolder visual appeal.

How Light Affects the Grain:

Both curly and flamed maple respond dramatically to light. The grain patterns seem to shift and change depending on the angle of light, enhancing their visual impact: Curly maple will have a more fluid, ripple-like appearance, while flamed maple will present more sharp, angular contrasts that “dance” in the light.

4. The Sawing Technique: How It Impacts Both Appearance and Wood Structure

Flat-Sawn (Curly Maple)

• Grain Structure: In flat-sawn maple, the growth rings are parallel to the face of the board, which leads to the characteristic wavy curl.
• Stability: While curly maple is still quite stable, flat sawn wood can sometimes be a bit more prone to warping or movement compared to quarter-sawn wood.
• Visual Effect: The softer, flowing figure that comes with flat sawing gives curly maple its unique, liquid-like appearance.

Quarter-Sawn (Flamed Maple)

• Grain Structure: Quarter-sawing cuts the log at a 90-degree angle to the growth rings, creating straight, vertical grain lines that are more stable.
• Stability: Quarter-sawn wood is more dimensionally stable and is less likely to warp, shrink, or expand with changes in humidity, making it ideal for areas like guitar tops where stability is important.
• Visual Effect: The sharp, angular flame pattern in quarter-sawn maple is the result of this sawing technique.

Comparing the Sawing Techniques:

• Curly maple’s flat-sawn grain gives it a more natural, flowing pattern that tends to be a bit less stable but still works well for most guitar applications.
• Flamed maple’s quarter-sawn grain results in better overall stability and a more defined, angular flame that is often preferred for high-end guitar tops.

5. Does Curly Maple or Flamed Maple Affect Tone?

One of the most common questions builders and players ask is whether curly or flamed maple has a significant impact on tone. While the visual differences are clear, the sonic differences between these two types of maple are negligible.

Curly Maple

• Curly maple has similar tonal properties to plain maple: bright, clear, and with great sustain.
• The curl of the wood does not influence its acoustic properties. The tonal characteristics of curly maple are more influenced by the wood’s density, thickness, and the overall construction of the guitar rather than the grain pattern.

Flamed Maple

• Flamed maple offers the same tonal qualities as regular maple, contributing to a bright, crisp tone with excellent sustain.
• The quarter-sawing method may slightly alter the way the wood resonates, but again, this difference is minimal and doesn’t have a significant impact on sound.

Key Takeaways:

• Both curly and flamed maple offer virtually identical tonal qualities.
• Any perceived difference in tone is more likely due to the specific piece of wood or the guitar build rather than the figure of the maple.

6. Choosing the Right Maple for Your Guitar Top

When it comes down to choosing between curly and flamed maple for your guitar top, it’s really about aesthetic preferences rather than tonal considerations. Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right choice:

Aesthetic Considerations

• Curly Maple: Ideal for builds that call for a subtle, vintage look. Curly maple’s flowing, wavy figure is perfect for guitars that need elegance without being too flashy.
• Flamed Maple: Perfect for bold, attention-grabbing builds. The dramatic, flame-like figure makes it the ideal choice for guitars where the wood
• is a central visual feature.

Practical Considerations

• Curly maple is great for builds that need character without overwhelming the design, such as vintage-styled guitars.
• Flamed maple is perfect for modern designs or high-end custom guitars that need extra visual impact.

7. Working with Curly and Flamed Maple

Both curly and flamed maple require some extra care when working with them, due to the highly figured grain. Here are some tips:

Cutting, Sanding, and Shaping

• Avoid Tear-Out: Both types of maple are prone to tear-out due to the irregular grain. Make sure to use sharp blades and cut along the grain when possible.
• Use Light Sanding: Sanding should be done lightly to avoid damaging the figure. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper and move to a finer grit as needed.
• Work Slowly: Take your time to allow the tools to glide through the wood, especially when working with highly figured maple, as this can prevent damaging the grain.

Finishing Tips

• A clear finish is often the best way to highlight the figure in curly or flamed maple, allowing the wood’s natural beauty to shine through.
• Consider using oil finishes or lacquer to enhance the depth of the figure.

8. Conclusion

When deciding between curly maple and flamed maple for your guitar top, remember that visual preference is the key factor. Curly maple offers a softer, more fluid appearance, while flamed maple delivers a bold, dramatic look.

Both types of maple have virtually identical tonal properties, and any difference in sound will be minor at best, depending on the specific piece of wood and how it’s worked into the guitar. So, choose the one that best fits the aesthetic of your build and the look you’re hoping to achieve.

Whether you go with curly or flamed maple, both woods will give you a stunning visual appeal and excellent tonal qualities for your next guitar top. Happy building!