Official Luthiers Forum!

What's the difference between a drop top, a carve top....and a les paul top?

I'm reading all this stuff and really getting it all confused. Need someone to clear me up.

I have some really intense curly maple and a board of ambrosia maple that would make good material for you electric folks but I don't want to cut it whilst being so ignorant of your side of this gig.


Chris

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Hi!

The different is all in the thickness...

A drop top is usually a thin top glued-on... Something it could be just a venner, and could go to 1/4''... Flat-top.

Carve top is a thicker top that allows to carve radius on it... Thickness can go from.. let say 1/4 to 3/4... depends on your radius.

Les paul is sort of a carved top. I think you'll need at least 5/8 or 9/16 to recreate a real les paul carving... Usually LP tops are sold at 3/4...


Francis

_________________
Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

Thanks guys.....!!

That clears it up.

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

I will throw my .02 in.

On the drop tops, I like them less than 1/4". That way if I bind them I don't need to sand them down to get them smaller than the bindings. Provided the plates stay flat .15 - .20 would be plenty sufficient.

I hate the .5" carved top plates. It is really just too close for me. I really prefer them to be more in the .75" which has plenty of room.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

On the other hand, I don't bind and like a round over edge and a 1/4" is just barely enough. Then again, I have only built one and am scared to bind!

Mike