Flame tops

siroliver · 09-13-2007, 08:15 PM

From what I have seen, it does not seem like Gibson uses a large variety in the types of figure or flame on their maple tops(unless it's on a Murphy or similar higher end RI). From browsing ebay, google, this site, and others, it seems that they mostly have a very defined, straight flame(almost like a pinstripe). It's starting to look very boring, especially for those of us who like tight, curly flame and subtle, 3D flame that allows for the grain of the top to show. I am acutally starting to favor plain tops a bit more now...

Anyone know of reasons for this lack of variety?

siroliver · 09-13-2007, 08:20 PM

I do occaisionally see a Les Paul with a superb top, but its mainly just straight flame.

BOBBO · 09-13-2007, 08:39 PM

I have to say that sometimes I wish my plaintop had a bit of flame , but I love that I can see all the flowing flatsawn grain !

siroliver · 09-13-2007, 08:45 PM

I totally agree. My favorite type of flame would probably be the slight figuring that is very three dimensional and can be totally transparent at some angles. That way you get the best of both.

Beautiful RI, by the way

zensurfer · 09-13-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

From what I have seen, it does not seem like Gibson uses a large variety in the types of figure or flame on their maple tops(unless it's on a Murphy or similar higher end RI). From browsing ebay, google, this site, and others, it seems that they mostly have a very defined, straight flame(almost like a pinstripe). It's starting to look very boring, especially for those of us who like tight, curly flame and subtle, 3D flame that allows for the grain of the top to show. I am acutally starting to favor plain tops a bit more now...

Anyone know of reasons for this lack of variety?

My experience has been the complete opposite (and I get to see tons of Historics)...

mmcquain · 09-13-2007, 11:08 PM

I know what you guys mean about flames that change based on the viewing angle. This 2007 Historic
1960 Reissue (R0) I just sold could go from almost no flame (first pic) to mild flame (second pic), etc.
My Classic Antique has a similar top. Where as my Custom is much more of the traditional "pinstripe"
thin flametop (last pic)...

HolyGrail · 09-14-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

From what I have seen, it does not seem like Gibson uses a large variety in the types of figure or flame on their maple tops(

Don't know about that .

siroliver · 09-14-2007, 06:51 AM

Now I'm starting to see some variation. Ebay is chock full of pinstripey tops, so I assumed that the majority would have to be the same.

Now I'm a bit more open to saving for a '59...

Thanks for the help, I was a bit worried about that for a while.

The top on that R0 is fantastic.

flameburst · 09-14-2007, 09:32 AM

Have a look at: http://www.historiclespauls.com

There's a real mixture of tops - it's luck of the draw usually to find a great one. Many beauties to be found here though!

Stowburst · 09-14-2007, 04:56 PM

I like tops like mine...mild at some angles and jumping out at other angles!

Covers ON

Covers OFF

siroliver · 09-14-2007, 05:48 PM

Exactly.

I believe I recognise that beautiful burst from youtube if I'm not mistaken.
(Great vids, by the way!)

I love the colour on yours, it's an ideal mixture of a cherry wash and iced tea.
I am glad to see that there is such a good variety in tops, I was quite nervous for a bit(as I wanted to soon purchase one).

Stowburst · 09-15-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

Exactly.

I believe I recognise that beautiful burst from youtube if I'm not mistaken.
(Great vids, by the way!)

I love the colour on yours, it's an ideal mixture of a cherry wash and iced tea.
I am glad to see that there is such a good variety in tops, I was quite nervous for a bit(as I wanted to soon purchase one).

Thanks, glad you like the vids. I'm now going to call my guitar the "Youtube Burst"

Ha!! More vids on the way, gonna be doing WB pickups demo soon

09-16-2007, 01:42 AM

lp59aholicDon · 09-28-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stow

I like tops like mine...mild at some angles and jumping out at other angles!

Covers ON

Covers OFF

My 60 Re Issue , Miss Honey, does that and yeah its kinda incredible, right kinda light and the mineral streaks and flames just get wild

Red Baron · 09-28-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmcquain

This R0 looks superb... exactly the type of top I prefer, underlying grain character as well as some nice subtle flame

pinefd · 09-29-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

From what I have seen, it does not seem like Gibson uses a large variety in the types of figure or flame on their maple tops(unless it's on a Murphy or similar higher end RI).

Anyone know of reasons for this lack of variety?

Lack of variety? Here are four of mine from '06 and '07...tell me there's a lack of variety.

siroliver · 09-30-2007, 12:01 AM

nice.
I'm a big fan of iced tea burst.

now it is established that there is good variety, let's change topic:

What is your favourite type of flame??

pinefd · 09-30-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

nice.
I'm a big fan of iced tea burst.

now it is established that there is good variety, let's change topic:

What is your favourite type of flame??

The kind you find on Maple!!!

More specifically, it would be a fairly wide flame, with lots of depth, wiggle and movement; maybe some cross grain and mineral flecks/streaks. Probably the closest I have to meeting all those criteria is this one:

lp59aholicDon · 09-30-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefd

The kind you find on Maple!!!

More specifically, it would be a fairly wide flame, with lots of depth, wiggle and movement; maybe some cross grain and mineral flecks/streaks. Probably the closest I have to meeting all those criteria is this one:

Dammmmmmmmmmmmmmn Knock Me over with a Feather ! Nice one Dude

siroliver · 09-30-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefd

More specifically, it would be a fairly wide flame, with lots of depth, wiggle and movement; maybe some cross grain and mineral flecks/streaks.

I definitely like mineral streaks, and cross grain is certainly welcome(gives the top new dimension).
Personally, I like a subtler flame, but there are a certain few that are exceptions(for example, pearly gates),This being a prime example.

I agree with lp59aholicdon, this is a choice one.

MIDNIGHT · 09-30-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyGrail

Don't know about that .

beautiful burst HG!

thumbs up!

jpatrickgreen · 10-12-2007, 12:53 AM

Using the flash kind of brings out the "clownburst" in this but in natural light it has a very nice shade IMO.

FlameTop · 10-18-2007, 05:26 AM

Another non-pinstripe, my R8 Authentic

pinefd · 10-18-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameTop

Another non-pinstripe, my R8 Authentic

That's absolutely gorgeous! Congrats! And welcome to the MLP. What year is your R8?

Frank

FlameTop · 10-18-2007, 10:17 AM

If my memory serves me correctly its a 2003 (perhaps 2002).

Thanks for the welcome. Just found this forum from a recommendation over on the Birds&Moons forum.

pinefd · 10-18-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameTop

If my memory serves me correctly its a 2003 (perhaps 2002).

Thanks for the welcome. Just found this forum from a recommendation over on the Birds&Moons forum.

It's likely not an '03 because there were verrrrrry few flametop R8s produced in '03.

You can tell by the serial number on the headstock. If, indeed, this guitar is an R8, the first digit would be an 8, which would indicate an R8 ('58 reissue), and the second digit would indicate the year built. So if the second digit is a 2, then it would be a 2002 model, a 1 would be a 2001 model, an 8 would indicate a '98, etc.

MikeG59 · 10-19-2007, 10:11 PM

95

Curlymaple · 10-20-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeG59

95

Wow! Mike, she's gorgeous ....I mean the guitar.

siroliver · 10-20-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlymaple

Wow! Mike, she's gorgeous ....I mean the guitar.

What guitar???

MikeG59 · 10-20-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siroliver

What guitar???

lol

09-13-2007, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Flame tops From what I have seen, it does not seem like Gibson uses a large variety in the types of figure or flame on their maple tops(unless it's on a Murphy or similar higher end RI). From browsing ebay, google, this site, and others, it seems that they mostly have a very defined, straight flame(almost like a pinstripe). It's starting to look very boring, especially for those of us who like tight, curly flame and subtle, 3D flame that allows for the grain of the top to show. I am acutally starting to favor plain tops a bit more now... Anyone know of reasons for this lack of variety?

09-13-2007, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops I do occaisionally see a Les Paul with a superb top, but its mainly just straight flame.

09-13-2007, 08:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
BOBBO MVP Clown Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 19,477 Thanks: 237 Thanked 463 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Flame tops I have to say that sometimes I wish my plaintop had a bit of flame , but I love that I can see all the flowing flatsawn grain !

09-13-2007, 08:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops I totally agree. My favorite type of flame would probably be the slight figuring that is very three dimensional and can be totally transparent at some angles. That way you get the best of both. Beautiful RI, by the way

09-13-2007, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
mmcquain Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tarpon Springs, FL Posts: 1,684 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Flame tops I know what you guys mean about flames that change based on the viewing angle. This 2007 Historic 1960 Reissue (R0) I just sold could go from almost no flame (first pic) to mild flame (second pic), etc. My Classic Antique has a similar top. Where as my Custom is much more of the traditional "pinstripe" thin flametop (last pic)... __________________ Rock, Blues, Christian player mmcquain@mcquain.com Gibson CS-356, Fender Strat, BreedLove AD25/SR Peavey Marshall Behringer POD Tech21 Boss MXR Dunlop Danelectro Digitech Dean Markley D'Addario http://www.mcquain.com/LesPaul http://twitter.com/memcquain http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-McQuain/1443821315 http://www.myspace.com/mmcquain

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09-14-2007, 06:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops Now I'm starting to see some variation. Ebay is chock full of pinstripey tops, so I assumed that the majority would have to be the same. Now I'm a bit more open to saving for a '59... Thanks for the help, I was a bit worried about that for a while. The top on that R0 is fantastic.

09-14-2007, 09:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
flameburst Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Inbetween the pink plush Posts: 535 Thanks: 8 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Flame tops Have a look at: http://www.historiclespauls.com There's a real mixture of tops - it's luck of the draw usually to find a great one. Many beauties to be found here though! __________________ flameburst MY THREE HISTORICS 1997 - R9 Monster top: "THE WILD ONE" 2003 - R9 Yamano Ultra-aged Murphy: "OL' TANG" 2003 - R0 Brazilian (First production model): "DOUBLE 07" aka "LUCKY SEVEN"

09-14-2007, 04:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Stowburst V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,766 Thanks: 25 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Flame tops I like tops like mine...mild at some angles and jumping out at other angles! Covers ON Covers OFF Last edited by Stowburst; 09-15-2007 at 04:10 AM.

09-14-2007, 05:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops Exactly. I believe I recognise that beautiful burst from youtube if I'm not mistaken. (Great vids, by the way!) I love the colour on yours, it's an ideal mixture of a cherry wash and iced tea. I am glad to see that there is such a good variety in tops, I was quite nervous for a bit(as I wanted to soon purchase one).

09-16-2007, 01:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
SKATTERBRANE Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Flame tops

09-30-2007, 12:01 AM	#17 (permalink)
siroliver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 363 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops nice. I'm a big fan of iced tea burst. now it is established that there is good variety, let's change topic: What is your favourite type of flame?? __________________

10-12-2007, 12:53 AM	#22 (permalink)
jpatrickgreen Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops Using the flash kind of brings out the "clownburst" in this but in natural light it has a very nice shade IMO.

10-18-2007, 05:26 AM	#23 (permalink)
FlameTop Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops Another non-pinstripe, my R8 Authentic

10-18-2007, 10:17 AM	#25 (permalink)
FlameTop Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops If my memory serves me correctly its a 2003 (perhaps 2002). Thanks for the welcome. Just found this forum from a recommendation over on the Birds&Moons forum.

10-19-2007, 10:11 PM	#27 (permalink)
MikeG59 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flame tops 95

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