Wood joint with pictures

jolly · #1 12-08-2003, 03:35 PM

Just wondering where will the woods get joint together of a 2 pieces body.
Here are some pics for you guys, my case is the brown one.

leftward

central

frankfalbo · #2 12-08-2003, 03:47 PM

Most guitars will be joined down the center.

I don't think the line in the mahogany S is the joint line. Mahogany can have distinct lines in it where it seems to change grain. Or the reflectiveness of the grain is different so in the right light it looks like a separation.

The mahogany JS700 with soapbars was Korean, but Joe is holding a Japanese one in one of the catalogs. (can't remember which) But the difference is stunning. The Korean looks dull and lifeless, while Joes sparkles in the light. His actually looks like several pieces about 1" wide glued together, because of the way the mahogany is. Mahogany also hides joints very well, and that could be why the grain path looks more like a joint than the real joint.

jolly · #3 12-08-2003, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply!

But mine one(JS1000 BTB) is made of basswood and the situation is just like the S series one 'cos I see the line from the bottom to the place between two pickup rings and then, is it normal?

frankfalbo · #4 12-08-2003, 04:01 PM

So you have a BTB, and you can see the line off center? That's just carelessness then. Most JS bodies are painted, so they might not really care how the body is joined. But then, when the BTB's were made, you get an off-center line. It's too bad, but it doesn't hurt the sound of the guitar.

Some bodies (not JS) are three piece, and some are multiple pieces, depending on how far the factory wants to stretch its money. Using smaller pieces/scrap is more cost effective.

jolly · #5 12-08-2003, 04:13 PM

That burnt pattern is being made by painting?????? I never knew...

I thought it is the natural grain.

Why it's bad when the joint is not centered? Does it affect the structure.

I think the strape screw will come off someday if it's in the centered joint line, will it?

Thanks for your info!!!

darren wilson · #6 12-08-2003, 04:38 PM

No, the burnt patterns are the natural woodgrain. What Frank was saying is that most JSes are finished with opaque colours, so the location of the joints is inconsequential on the vast majority of them.

jolly · #7 12-09-2003, 04:53 AM

natural grain :P

So if it's a off-center joint, does it do anything with the structure?
I'm going to get a JEM 7v, where could tell if it's center joint?

gkelm · #8 12-09-2003, 02:45 PM

Since a properly planed joint w/wood glue is often stronger than the wood itself, I don't think structural integrity would be an issue...more a cosmetic issue. It is generally thought that the more body pieces, the less quality of tone. On a painted guitar, you might be able to see a center joint in the neck pocket or cavities.
Greg