But on a cellular level, people have looked at the grain of maple and found it’s almost corrugated where the rings are connected and some people feel that gives it a strength. The main [neck] wood I really despise is figured wood. It’s not because I don’t think it looks pretty but, personally, there’s just something about many of them that bugs me — I might not like them because of the way they’re adjusting or how hard it was to get them to stay straight or because I don’t like the tone. I don’t ever remember having to replace a plain grain neck for a customer. I can definitely remember [replacing] a flame maple neck. Flame is so bad that we don’t use it. The other problem with figured necks is that often they need more adjusting than any of the other cuts. It’s diseased wood so I think we’re going to announce that we’re not even gonna offer bird’s eye in the new year.
I read this interview again on the newstand...I am recieving soon the most expensive guitar I have ever bought, my NOS 1993 Washburn SS80, with a maple quilt top on poplar body and what is termed, museum grade birdseye maple neck. Reading what John says, I am praying that my new guitars neck will be stable.
Anyone else have experience with a birdsye maple neck, hopefully more stable than say a flamed maple neck, I hadn't heard of that until John mentioned it.
Since the guitar was built for delivery to Steve Stevens himself, and was in the possesion of the owner of Washburn guitars museum/private collection, that all is well!!



Any experiences are welcomed!!
Diseased wood indeed??
Dave