Official Luthiers Forum!

I sent an e-mail to RC Tonewoods asking why they steam maple and Peter Cefalu responded that he is not sure why they steam maple but it gives it a pinkish hue...

Truth-be-told, I bought some steamed maple from them a while back because it seemed like a good price. So, I have a back & side set and it's not pink at all...

I'm working on a L-00 with African Mahogany B&S and I'm thinking of binding with curly maple. So - Why is maple steamed? Should I get the steamed or un-steamed maple binding? RC Tonewoods has both... Is one easier to bend then the other?

Thanks,
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

aSteve, why they 'steam' maple is a mystery to me. I can't make a judgement call on the use it. But, as far as binding with a pinkish hue, you might consider sycamore, or even cherry instead. Steamed maple. Interesting. I'm looking forward to reading posts by those who have experience with it.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

Probably the same reason that they do it to Walnut, to even out the colour variation between sapwood and heartwood.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Steaming greatly reduces internal tensions. Steamed wood is much more stable than not steamed wood from the same tree.

To the best of my understanding it's still not fully understood and documented as a pure science, but that steaming improves moisture uniformity and the willingness of heartwood to cooperate in the drying process. At the same time it is known to benefit color qualities in several species, particularly by evening out the color differences between sapwood and heartwood. For reference, check out the article below published in the late 70s by the FPL starting on page 61:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/usda/ah528.pdf