Question regarding gravure tops and photo Flames.

Timanator · #1 03-25-2003, 12:38 AM

After reading through tons of links after a search I guess the best way to explain is pictures.

If this thing is a Gravure, then why is the Flames so bad(not intense at all) and there is a definet top section of this guitar.

See the separate top piece?

Look how loose and non intense the Flame is on this top.

Once again, thanks for all the info. Learning alot pretty quick in here.

**jemsite** · #2 03-25-2003, 12:50 AM

is that a '92 RG570FM with a replacement Gold trem? It looks like a maple top (not photo flame on later models) from the rough photos. You should be able to tell by the grain patterns on the edge of the body. Also that is about the thickness expected and the photo flame would typically be missing the maple edge on the body sides... glen

EKG · #3 03-25-2003, 12:58 AM

First off, let me say that that is NICE!!

Looks to me like a mahogany back with a maple top. Very much like the PGM10th only stained that beautiful blue. Although, the top isn't really figured, I think it looks great as is.

Congrats!

Timanator · #4 03-25-2003, 12:58 AM

In this thread,

http://www.jemsite.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=20447

I was explained to that it was a 95 RG570CTTB

The serial# is F435483. which indicates a 94 model?

It has the AANJ, and all gold hardware. The neck is alot thicker compared to my 520 QM (The Veneered one). But it certainly looks like a real maple top instead of the Photo Flame right?

**jemsite** · #5 03-25-2003, 01:07 AM

what colors are the 'tuners? More photos would be nice, but if that is a photo flame than the builders @ hoshino deserved a raise... i don't see how you get the paper to wrap with the grain (assuming the grain patterns are continuous). When you get a minute, take a few more photos... including the routed areas (trem, pickups) to determine wood vs paper... glen

Rich · #6 03-25-2003, 01:11 AM

Dennis always said they'd fool anybody, and the gravuer tops do wrap over the edge like that

**jemsite** · #7 03-25-2003, 01:15 AM

i hear you... they shouldn't fool anyone *in person* (JPGs are always spotty).

I'd like to see a comparison with later model photos to reference? Most i've seen had body edges that camaflage the paper and the trem/PU routing obviously is a giveaway....g

EKG · #8 03-25-2003, 01:17 AM

From the pics...sure fooled me

darren wilson · #9 03-25-2003, 02:01 AM

The newest Samick guitars use real maple tops, but they apply flame/quilt pattern using a photo technique. It's probably a thin transparent decal that's heat-formed around the edges, not paper. That's how they can do it on a carved top, as well.

I've seen Washburns that had a photo burl finish, and up close, you could see the halftone dots of the printed texture, especially where it wrapped around a corner or a curve and the substrate stretched the pattern to fit.

My guess is it's real maple, but fake flame.

caprile · #10 03-25-2003, 09:01 AM

It looks like a killer guitar for the price, regardless of the top

kabuki · #11 03-25-2003, 10:41 AM

I have had 2 of the CT models and they are most definitely foto-flame tops. I stripped one and the "flame" just melted off in globs. The 570CTs came in amber (AM) and trans blue (TB). They had gold hardware, a Lo Pro edge, alder bodies, direct mounted pups, and (I think) a pau ferro fingerboard. I admit, they are very real looking tops, but they are fake.

Timanator · #12 03-25-2003, 01:14 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I just didnt see a reason to do a different top for the guitar and then top it off with such a weak Flamed top veneer?

I will try to get more pictures. What angles do yall want the pictures of?

vaijem777 · #13 03-25-2003, 01:36 PM

The reason? To make it look like a more expensive guitar than it actually is.

By giving the guitar a standard, non-figured maple cap, it still offers the tonal difference of having a maple top. But, by adding the photo-flame finish, it creates the appearance of having a much more expensive figured maple top. As you can see, it's not easy for most people to tell the difference between the RG570CM and a guitar with a "real" flamed maple top. The guitar looks great, plays great, and looks great. That's all that really matters, right?

kabuki · #14 03-25-2003, 03:41 PM

Let me clarify: the CTs did not have a seperate top. As I remember, mine was a 1 piece solid alder body. There is no maple or any other kind of wood cap. The '95 catalog states the spec as "alder with graveure maple top". Regardless, I still think this is my favorite RG that Ibanez ever made. I swapped the pups in both of my CTs to AN/Blue Velvet/TZ combos and it was killer. There were a few forum members here who played my scalloped CT. It was nicknamed "Scallopini". I had stripped the finish, tung oiled the body, swapped the pups, changed the hardware to black, and had a black pearl pickguard made for it. Well, I guess it became my favorite after that slight bit of tweaking

Dang, I miss that one

JESTER700 · #15 03-25-2003, 05:03 PM

It's difficult to tell a photo flame from real in a pic. It's very easy to do so in person in good light. I've never seen a photo give the 3d effect that even a mediocre real flame has.