What is Rift Sawn, Flat Sawn and Quarter Sawn Wood?

sequoia

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This issue is always confusing people so I thought I would post a great picture from LMI that illustrates the differences.

Sawn-Wood-Referencev2.jpg
 
I have wondered what rift sawn meant. I know we say perfectly quartersawn is best, but I've seen other builders say the wood is OK if a top or back set is glued up like so: /////\\\\\ . I have personally glued up a guitar neck using flat sawn pieces stacked vertically, with the grain glued (((( )))) . So far, so good.
 
Not all wood shows figure well or at all being quarter sawn, but for those that do like oak and maple, the figuring can be pretty impressive. I have seen some quarter sawn cherry and would love to try some on a lap steel guitar project. With a good finish it can look kind of like red Bakelite like you might find on a vintage hot rod gearshift knob.
 
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