sequoia
Well-known member
Going to do a so called "bear claw" figured sitka spruce top on my newest project. Now I think there is a lot said about bear claw that is probably questionable.
First, I remember a friend of mine showing me his new "Bear Clawed" top on his guitar and he said that the store owner that sold it to him said the wood came from spruce trees where bears sharpened their claws on the tree thus "bear claw spruce". This gave the wood a special sound also. A bold sound like a bear I suppose. Gotta hand it to those guitar salesman, they don't miss a trick. Anything to move the product.
Second, I was trolling the web and came across a luthier that said that bear claw figured spruce was actually stronger than straight grained spruce. He has a lot of experience with the stuff, so I don't disbelieve the claim. I don't think it necessarily weakens the wood, but I'm not sure it contributes anything to integrity. Personally I suspect it doesn't mean much either way.
Third, that change in density makes a more complex sound. Not sure about that claim, but I will say having worked with it a little bit that there are definitely differences in wood density. A little scary to plane.
Finally, I don't know what to think. I think it probably doesn't make much difference either way, but it sure does look cool. Pictures below don't really show the "claw" too good at this stage. Will look better and more 3-D once finished out.
First, I remember a friend of mine showing me his new "Bear Clawed" top on his guitar and he said that the store owner that sold it to him said the wood came from spruce trees where bears sharpened their claws on the tree thus "bear claw spruce". This gave the wood a special sound also. A bold sound like a bear I suppose. Gotta hand it to those guitar salesman, they don't miss a trick. Anything to move the product.
Second, I was trolling the web and came across a luthier that said that bear claw figured spruce was actually stronger than straight grained spruce. He has a lot of experience with the stuff, so I don't disbelieve the claim. I don't think it necessarily weakens the wood, but I'm not sure it contributes anything to integrity. Personally I suspect it doesn't mean much either way.
Third, that change in density makes a more complex sound. Not sure about that claim, but I will say having worked with it a little bit that there are definitely differences in wood density. A little scary to plane.
Finally, I don't know what to think. I think it probably doesn't make much difference either way, but it sure does look cool. Pictures below don't really show the "claw" too good at this stage. Will look better and more 3-D once finished out.