Can some explain the "AAA" +/- wood grades?

[Flavum]

After reading the bazillionth eBay auction for an Historic LP with a "AAAAA" maple top ("...they don't use wood like this anymore..." ad nauseum), could someone explain the rating system for flamed maple?

Does the width of flame matter? Depth? Crossgrain? Evenness? What separates AAA from AAAAA?

It really seems that some (read: most) of these sellers are just making it up as they go along. There's never any documentation to vouch for their claims. I'm not trying to sound derogatory, but some of these ads are just a little incredible (as in "hard to believe").

Might be a good topic for a future FAQ?

Thanks - Tom

PS: My '02 R8 from Wildwood has nicer flame than some of these $6000+ AAAAA eBay hypes. IMHO, of course. spin

 

[nicholas]

I always thought Gibson described their most killer tops as AAA tops. I think it was e-bay that spawned the AAAAAAAAAAA tops

 

[Black Bear]

Add the confounding issues of AA on the R8's and AAA on the R9's officially, when visually we all have seen countless exceptions to the rule.

Does the AA and AAA rating have more to do with maple wholesale grading, or is it Gibson's stamp?

 

[1959burst]

it seems that it all depends what kinda drugs the guy at gibson was using the night before, on what tops go on r8 or r9's!:lolspin :lolspin :lolspin :lolspin :lolspin :lolspin

 

[fl_799]

I'll open up a can of worms....the "10" top. Who has been rating these for the past 5 years over at PRS?

 

[bluesroom]

1)Plaintop= little or no figure -----LP58P
2) AAA (3A)= figuretop ,nice flame might have mineral streaks or slight flaws-------LP58F
3)AAAAA (5A)= killertop ,highest grade of wood ,flame or quilt, highly figured-------LP59K

 

[real59]

. . . could someone explain the rating system for flamed maple?

Does the width of flame matter? Depth? Crossgrain? Evenness? What separates AAA from AAAAA?

It really seems that some (read: most) of these sellers are just making it up as they go along. There's never any documentation to vouch for their claims. I'm not trying to sound derogatory, but some of these ads are just a little incredible (as in "hard to believe").

Tom,

I asked Edwin Wilson the same question a couple of years ago at a show in Nashville; he was very cordial in fielding my LPR questions and I believe his answer was correct. I've not had any luck in finding any independent confirmation on his answer, however, here it goes, as best I remember:

Most wood is graded graded based on "clearness", i.e., lack of mineral streaks, irregular color and grain etc. Another criteria is added for Maple, based on figure. If I understoodd correctly, no distinction is made for width of flame, depth of curl, irridescence, etc. - these are all the subjective qualities that can make a top really stand out. Lumber graders use A, AA, and AAA - there are no higher classifications among lumber people. I remember Edwin defining AAA as " figure all the way across the board, or to within a (small) minimum width from the edge (I don't think he stated an exact distance), and with no (or a very minimal number of) blemishes - i.e., mineral streaks or spots. I'm not sure if the figure had to be all the way across the board from all angles - but keep in mind, these guys are grading billets or planks of unfinished wood, and the figure can hide a little easier than after the wood is stained (but I digress). The AA rating was for boards with "some figure" and some level of blemishes - again, Edwin didn't quote any objective or quantifiable level of blemishes to define AA. I don't recall him mentioning A, other than to say it had none or virtually no figure. I don't know how much blemishing might be allowed before even an 'A' board is completely rejected.

So where do AAAA and AAAAA come from? Or '10' top classifications? I believe the AAAAA grading was a marketing technique of Gibson's to identify the "Killer Top" in '98 or '99. The AAAA naturally came into use by promoters (eBay sellers) who knew they didn't have a real Killer Top, but wanted to pump up their guitar a little. Likewise with the '10' top ranking, it is PRS way of tagging their best tops (or at least the best that get out of "Private Stock").

If you look at the '97 and '98 R8's, which were supposed to be "figured tops" as opposed to R9 "flame tops" or "Killer Tops", you usually see some mineral streaking or some serious blank spots in the figure. Some of the '01 and '02 R8's appear different, however. They often don't show any blank spots or obvious mineral streaks and appear to be AAA, even though these were the first years Gibson marketed an LPR model as AA.

My impression is that the grading scheme has been picked up and modified/expanded a little to give a higher grade (above AAA) to those tops that have really deep curl (lots of 3D) and are very irridescent (flash and flicker).

Hope this helps. Anyone with more info please chime in.

 

[Flavum]

real59: Very informative! Thanks! I'm actually somewhat relieved, since the '02 R8 Authentic I purchased at Wildwood (#82146) would probably fall into the "AAA" catagory. Yippee!

 

[Black Bear]

Good explanation...Thanks!