I read the whole thread posted on that link you provided and I assume that is "The Suhr" of Suhr guitars, who contributed a good post to that thread. However, no one has demonstrated a complete understanding of the combination of climate, soil, tree variety, or insects that reliably produces the valuable maple." So far, they have seemed to discount several theories, namely that pecking birds deform the wood grain and that an infecting fungus makes it twist. These beautiful collectors items seem to shimmer and swirl under the curling circles of birdseye.īeing able to cultivate birdseye, or bird's eye, in hardwood would be such a valuable commodity that researchers and arborists vigorously study the mysterious phenomena. Boxes and bowls for jewelry, thin veneer, humidors, canes, furniture inlays, handles, and guitars are made from the decorative wood. Its cost in boardfeet can be hundreds of times that of ordinary hardwood. Since it is such a rare and unusual lumber type, it's very expensive and in short supply. Refined specialty products, such as the dashboard of a Rolls Royce, are made of birdseye maple. Although there are a few clues in a tree's bark that indicate the lumber might have birdseye, it is ususally necessary to fell the tree and cut it apart before you know for sure. These trees that grow in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States yield the heftiest supply, along with some varieties in the Rocky Mountains. Millers also find the deformation in red maple, white ash, Cuban mahogany, American beech, black walnut, and yellow birch. After it's finished, birdseye maple doesn't scratch easily.īirdseye maple, occurring in Acer saccharum, only refers to the most common species of tree. Woodworkers prize the timber because it "turns" well on a lathe, meaning it can be shaped into decorative canes, chair legs, or handles. Depending on the frequency of the birdseye swirls, each 1/8" to 3/8" wide (1/3-1 cm), the wood may be extremely valuable. The inner rings, called heartwood, might be deep amber or reddish with dark brown birdseye. The outer rings of the tree create lumber that's usually a creamy, light amber color with darker birdseye patterns. Perhaps the valuable anomaly showcases wood's reaction to a fungal or viral infection, genetic mutation, bird pecking, climate change, soil conditions, growth history, or some other mysterious element.īirdseye maple has a medium density and variable color.
Birdseye maple isn't a variety or species of maple, but rather a phenomenon that occurs within several kinds of timber due to an unknown cause. "Birdseye maple, one of the rarest kinds of wood on the planet, has a distinctive pattern that looks like tiny, swirling eyes disrupting the smooth lines of grain.
So in summary I'm gonna quote the inernet. the maple on my ball is fine, it creaks a bit but no bother in all the time I've had it, and I'm sure my Dargie delight will be even better. It could also be down to the type of truss rods they're using. Suhr make kick ass guitars, and if the article is true and they only warranty birdseye necks for 90 days then so be it.
I had an old G!bson Les Paul Custom - neck was like a bannana - and no birdaseye in sight! I just think it looks cool on a neck, hence the reason I'm changing 90% of my guitars to EBMM's -(Just might take a while) as for the stability of said woods, I would say you're just as likely to get problems with rock maple, alder or most thers. Woood due to it's very nature will change with age, if you don't beleive me go bury your neck in the garden!