"bear claw" on top

[jvi]

I was thinking about a nice simon and patric guitar I owned that had some killer bear claw, really loved to be pounded, and I was reminded that I havnt seen many or any standard gibsons with that amazing figure, if you have one lets see it if possible, also do you folks see it much or is it appealling to you ? cheers from the island J

[J-1854Me]

I was thinking about a nice simon and patric guitar I owned that had some killer bear claw, really loved to be pounded, and I was reminded that I havnt seen many or any standard gibsons with that amazing figure, if you have one lets see it if possible, also do you folks see it much or is it appealling to you ? cheers from the island J

 

I've only seen bear claw figure on a few Gibson guitar tops. I've noticed it more commonly on other guitar makers' guitars -- Larrivee,Taylor, Martin. I don't know if Gibson purposely does not acquire much bearclaw-figured wood or what.

 

Here's a 1996 J-200 I used to own; it exhibited a mild chevron bearsclaw pattern:

 

 

Fred

[SC_Wannabe]

I like bearclaw, as long as it's not over the top. My J50 has just a hint of it here and there.

[58 Relic]

I used to own this Takamine lovely figured top but I sold it due to the complex preamp

[Fullmental Alpinist]

Actually I like the look of bear claw if it's done right:

 

 

 

 

Can't stand the look of runout at all. Looks like someone wasn't paying attention when they built the guitar.

[mountainpicker]

That's not bearclaw that's Willie-claw!

[onewilyfool]

[blindboygrunt]

What is the deal with it?

I've read about it . Some folks think it looks great , I suppose it's a way of making a guitar unique

But does it actually makes any difference to anything?

 

It's just the lighter coloured flashes in the top ? right ?

[Fullmental Alpinist]

Here's a good example of bearclaw:

 

 

Besides the unique look some believe bearclaw is an indicator of a piece of tonewood that's particularly stiff, so you can sand it thinner for better sound and it won't collapse.

 

Anyone care to explain how Willie Nelson could get that crater in his guitar? I mean, that couldn't happen from just playing it could it?

[blindboygrunt]

Maybe dropping hot ash on it ?

[mz-s]

Anyone care to explain how Willie Nelson could get that crater in his guitar? I mean, that couldn't happen from just playing it could it?

 

The crater came from using a pick without a pick guard for decades.

[Fullmental Alpinist]

I think I like the hot ash theory better.

 

It's crazy: if you look at Trigger he's even got string grooves. How does the string get close enough to the top there to carve those runnels? I think BK777 has a guitar with grooves like that but his came from trying to teach The Hound how to play.

 

Trigger definitely must go to the Smithsonian when Willie dies. Put him alongside SRV's Number One if anyone will admit to owning it.