SPALTED MAPLE - Acer spp. - Acoustic Guitar Tonewood set

Spalted maple is fascinating stuff! I've built with it a few times now and most recently using it in conjunction with Wenge to produce a 'hybrid back' as seen on my latest Model S, 'Ophelia'.

Spalting is simply a fungal discolouration of wood, and can be found on a wide range of wood species and genera. It is found in wood that has begun initial stages of decay, and is then subsequently dried (preventing further decay). The partial decay, called spalting, can give the wood dark contrasting lines and streaks where fungus has begun to attack the wood. If the wood has been rescued from the spalting at the right time, the lumber should still be sound and usable, with little to no soft spots or rotten wood.

[colakeith]

Such a striking look.I wonder how much tonal quality has degraded

[LowGUkeChannel]

Hi Tom, thanks for such an informative video on Spalted Maple. I've owned and played a Kala Spalted Maple Tenor Ukulele for 5 years and I love it. I teach Uke on YouTube and you can check out its tone and look on channel LowGUkeChannel. I had no idea until now what Spalted Maple was. How Fungus!
Greg

[kevingreene]

Yeah... the tap-tone is a bit flat there Tom... but your idea to laminate sound spot on! It will look awesome when finished... btw where did you get the hot weather... it is pretty cold over here in the north west coast... no heat my friend!!

[paulboden]

With the hybrid backs are you doing the same for the sides? Also, wouldn't the inside layer dominate the tonal characteristics?🤔

[tomdalia]

Tommy Tuesday even though it’s Wednesday

[peterjames]

It looks like Acer macrophyllum toi me

[israelc]

That’s what happens when you live in a cave. You don’t know what day is anymore. But that doesn’t matter when you do what you love.