Top making start

   I start making tops. Nylon model has been exclusively using the European Spruce. Second photo is the European Spruce top for the Nylon model. For the SSJ model, I will use a Lutz spruce from a Canadian supplier. Lutz spruce is a naturally hybridized wood between Sitka spruce and Engelmann spruce. This wood has the material property between Sitka and Englemann. Sitka is a very hard material, and generates very strong fundamental tone. Englemann is a very soft material, and not suitable for steel strings guitar tops for me. I like the material between Sitka and Englemann. Beauty of this material is very high quality with decent price. Third photo is the Lutz spruce top for the SSJ model. This material has full of silk pattern. Silk pattern only appears from the perfectly quartered wood. This top has almost perpendicular grains all over the top. This is a true premium grade top material. However, material contribution for the tonal quality is very small. Making and bracing tuning skills define probably 99% of tonal quality. Only 1% is the material contribution. Actuary, I am able to make similar tonal quality form a student level material. Only difference is cosmetically advantages.
   I also am working on the Rosette making. I will use spoiled Tamarind, Ebony, Cocoboro, King wood, Myrtle, and Indian Rosewood.