• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Book matched flame with mismatched annual ring - The Strange Maple Top

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
I purchased a custom order flame maple top guitar many years ago and I kept it for 11 years before I sold it.
It weighed in at 9 lb. - 8 oz. and the extra weight is why I finally sold it.
If it would have weighed 1 pound less then I would still have it but the buyer loves it so, that makes me very glad.

The flame maple top on this guitar has always baffled me; why?
The top is obviously book matched because the flame feature is symmetrical and there is also what looks like a knot near the bridge pickup ring that is mirrored on both top halves. That also indicates a basically perfectly book matched top.
What has always thrown me off about the top is how the flame feature is basically a mirror image on both top halves yet the annual ring feature in both halves looks so different.
This is the only book matched maple top I have ever seen where the annual ring feature demonstrate such a major difference on both top halves, even at the center seam.
This was always a fantastic guitar for many reasons but the maple top has always been a head scratcher; the strange maple top.

000_3392.jpg


000_3335.jpg


000_3341.jpg


Bacchus BLS-59 HB.jpg


000_3375.jpg
 
Last edited:

Drayve85

Active member
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
195
I don’t know if I could’ve let that one go! She’s a beauty! With what looks like a, I believe to be, rift sawn neck. She’s just a stunner!! How did she sound???
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
I don’t know if I could’ve let that one go! She’s a beauty! With what looks like a, I believe to be, rift sawn neck. She’s just a stunner!! How did she sound???
It was a tuff call letting this one go as I had it for a solid 11 years but the extra weight is what finally forced me to put it on the chopping block.
My favorite thing about the guitar was the neck; .900" at fret 1 and .978" at fret 11.
The neck was perfection IMO and it felt 'just right' in the hand while playing.

The Mahogany neck is nearly perfectly quarter sawn, exhibits the medullary ray the full width of the neck tenon as seen within the neck pickup route, the full width of the neck heel, and nearly the entire width of the rear of the head stock. The tuning stability of this guitar is right there with the best.

The new owner that purchased it 13 months ago stated that it is his new #1.


000_3349.jpg


BLS-CO 10.jpg


I have a cousin (same maker & pictured below) to the one above that weighs in at 8 lb. - 5 oz. so, that made selling the heavier one a bit easier.
The top on this one is covered with flame but it's difficult to see; it isn't as 'showy' as the one I sold.
I call this one my 'plain' top.


Mposter.jpg
 
Last edited:

MrNubs

Active member
Joined
Nov 2, 2019
Messages
153
It was a tuff call letting this one go as I had it for a solid 11 years but the extra weight is what finally forced me to put it on the chopping block.
My favorite thing about the guitar was the neck; .900" at fret 1 and .978" at fret 11.
The neck was perfection IMO and it felt 'just right' in the hand while playing.

The Mahogany neck is nearly perfectly quarter sawn, exhibits the medullary ray the full width of the neck tenon as seen within the neck pickup route, the full width of the neck heel, and nearly the entire width of the rear of the head stock. The tuning stability of this guitar is right there with the best.

The new owner that purchased it 13 months ago stated that it is his new #1.


View attachment 18472


View attachment 18473


I have a cousin (same maker & pictured below) to the one above that weighs in at 8 lb. - 5 oz. so, that made selling the heavier one a bit easier.
The top on this one is covered with flame but it's difficult to see; it isn't as 'showy' as the one I sold.
I call this one my 'plain' top.


View attachment 18475
my sunshine

you said and a i quote "same maker"

please ... maker who ?
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
they were both produce by Deviser Co Ltd. in the 2004/2005 time frame at the Aska facility in Matsumoto city, Nagano Japan.

The one I sold was a custom ordered (hence no serial number) Bacchus BLS made with African 'hog aka Khaya body and neck and Indian rosewood 'board.

The 'plain' top that weighs over a pound less is a very early production serial numbered Momose MLS-STD/J made with Honduran 'hog body and neck and a Brazilian 'board.

Here is a pic of the Braz board on the MLS.
MLS fgb5.jpg
 
Last edited:

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
Here is another one from the Deviser Co Ltd. Aska facility from late 2011; fantastic guitar :)

Deviser has made some primo guitars over the years

# 1 chair.jpg



BLP test 9-7-19 no flash.jpg


BLP back test (2).jpg
 
Last edited:

Drayve85

Active member
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
195
DUDE!!! They are both beautiful guitars, I can see why you let the heavy one go, if you had the “plain Jane” in the stable! Yeah, my TH58 has a straight rift sawn neck, that’s why I noticed it, and it stays in tune too. The Japanese definitely are master craftsmen!
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
The 'plain Jane' and my Combat are my two favorite LPs; they are both so good there is no way to pick a 'winner' between those two.
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
just saw where Deviser made a limited run of 6 Korina Futuras with Madagascar 'boards under one of their known name brands.
All 6 guitars were listed for retail sale on June 11..
All 6 sold within 24 hours. :cry:


# 1 Deviser Korina FT.jpg
 
Top