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I am currently fine sanding my first top plate, partly to graduate the thickness while I have strings on to test, partly to remove the various scratches and nicks, and this figure revealed on the bass side lower bout. I don't think i noticed anything like it in other ppls guitar pics so I'm wondering...i hope it's not a bad sign, like for runout 

Sorry for the ignorance.

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Build log

Hi Alex,

I posted a picture of a piece of spruce that looked just like what you have here, I too noticed this figure when fine sanding the top, Mario P. who used to post here said it was not unusual to see this type of figure when fine sanding spruce. I have since noticed it on many tops, so I think Mario was correct, nothing wrong with the top, and the figure is not unusual. I've also noticed that it tends to disappear a bit when putting finish on it, even if you want it to stay visible.

Cheers,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Thank you Greg !  The thing scared me a bit, even if it looks quite nice from certain angles. 

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Build log

Those are ray flecks/medullary rays that get very pronounced when fine sanding. Medullary rays show up when your top is quartersawn. I think it looks kind of neat.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I call it silking (I might be wrong in that phrasing). I occurs when the wood is perfectly quartered, especially in Sitka. For that reason it's actually a good thing.

Moire pattern, chatoyance, silking, medullary rays, whatever you label it, it's pretty. I built an "M" shape(Martin style) and a dreadnaught that exhibited that silking.

btw it's (more?) common in Sitka. Very rich looking, to at least.

I've seen it in Sitka....I've also seen it in the 10 or so sets I cut from a single billet of Lutz.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

I think it's called silk too. I think it's beautiful. The more the better for
me.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Hmm so it's a type of extreme silking show off.  I only knew that those app. 1cm long flecks, perpendicular to the grain, are called silk. 

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Build log

I find that the fine sanding of tops shows this in perfectly quartered sections of spruce and sometimes red cedar a fair bit - it also usually doesnt disappear once finished, but sometimes you need to get into the right angle of light to see it again - its still there ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

G'day Alex,
             I'm working with an Englemann top which also shows the same silking .





I think most builders are happy to have these medullary rays in their soundboards.


.

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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[QUOTE=KiwiCraig]                I'm working with an Englemann top which also shows the same silking .[/QUOTE]
Craig, did you make that beautiful rosette? Even if you didn't, your addition of the inner lines is a perfect balance.