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Let's see some top carves!!! 1959 burst content!

CDaughtry

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner and Moderator
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
12,646
Check out the spectacular top carve on "Rosie." Rosie was one of the ATC's first bursts...pretty good starter burst huh?:dude:



DSC_9047-XL.jpg
 

sws1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
Love that last one.
 
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DOTMKR

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
16
Notice the angle of the carved top where the fretboard will sit. The one that looks a little longer is a shallower angle and will result in the fretboard projecting to a lower height at the bridge. This is the difference between a 59 and one like a 54.
 

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somebodyelseuk

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Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
This carve thing confuses me... What should the carve be like?
I've never owned a 50s LP. My Yamaha SG top carves are basically conical/linear. Various copies and 70s-present USA production models seem to vary between conical to lightly dished.
My 60th Annie R9 doesn't seem especially dished, compared to my Tokai's top.
I have no idea which is historically most accurate, but aesthetically, the Tokai is 'the sexiest'.
 

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Thanks for the pics Charlie and Rev (y)
Many moons ago before I joined here I had a picture in my mind of violin style tops on LPs........well they're kinda curved but not as accentuated as that as I found out.
 

DOTMKR

New member
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
16
This carve thing confuses me... What should the carve be like?
I've never owned a 50s LP. My Yamaha SG top carves are basically conical/linear. Various copies and 70s-present USA production models seem to vary between conical to lightly dished.
My 60th Annie R9 doesn't seem especially dished, compared to my Tokai's top.
I have no idea which is historically most accurate, but aesthetically, the Tokai is 'the sexiest'.
I think it’s more of the relationship of maple to mahogany. But I’m sure there are subtle differences From arching variations. If you look at a 59 standard, they seem to be fairly consistent. The things that are considered pleasing, probably don’t have a lot of affect on the voice. I can go into more detail about arching if there is any interest.
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Thanks for the reply.
I only ask, because there are two ways of looking at it - historical accuracy and/or aesthetically pleasing.
I'm not in anyway trying to imply my Tokai is more accurate or 'superior' to my R9, just that they're both have carves based on specific 'bursts (allegedly), but they're quite different.
It's great studying these photos, because they're the real deal, and not replicas.
 
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