Which Rosewood Back is More Sought After?

[DaveJTR]

Is there a general preference between the two as far as color and grain? Is "1" or "2" preferred?



Back 1 (above)



Back 2 (above)

[jschmitz54]

Neither would be a deal breaker for me but given the choice I’d pick the first one.

[SRL]

I'd prolly pick the second cause I like darker wood but they're pretty similar.

[DaveJTR]

I read that grain and color have very little effect on tonal qualities. I could be wrong, but maybe some people who know more about wood characteristics / tonal characteristics can chime in.

It seems like so far it's coming down to personal aesthetic preferences?

[Quickstep192]

I might withhold judgement until I saw both in person. I’d bet the grain in #2 looks more interesting in person than it does in a photo.

They’re both nice, so it would come down to sound for me.

[DaveJTR]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I might withhold judgement until I saw both in person. I’d bet the grain in #2 looks more interesting in person than it does in a photo.

They’re both nice, so it would come down to sound for me.

Interesting. 2 replies that seem to be based on personal aesthetic reasons, and your response about sound. 3 different answers. Gotta love it.

[warfrat73]

I'd think that 2 would grade a little bit higher because of its more uniform grain and color.

The wiggles in the grain on 1 would ding the grading a bit.

[varmonter]

Funny i thought this was going
To be about brazilian vs madi or EIR..
But i like the grain on 2 better.
.

[DaveJTR]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I'd think that 2 would grade a little bit higher because of its more uniform grain and color.

The wiggles in the grain on 1 would ding the grading a bit.

Interesting. I knew woods were graded, but I didn't know the criteria. Based off what you're saying, it seems like consistency of color (and not necessarily lighter or darker), grain (uniformity), and a combination of the two as a whole, are what make grade higher.

I've heard that people say darker is better, but it makes sense that it's about the consistency of color, and not necessarily just the shade.

[brencat]

#2 hands down -- dark and hard to see the stripes

[Bridgepin]

I like the straight grain on the second one.

[Erithon]

Two by far: the lines are tighter and more uniform. One looks to me like newer, plantation grown wood; it won't sound any better or worse as a result, but number two looks like something more akin to the Rosewood on vintage builds and I like that.

[Hoyt]

Both are fine.

I’ve had two OM-21s. Nice guitars, but the 21s seem to have the least appealing rosewood back and sides. Didn’t detract from sound and playability.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I'd think that 2 would grade a little bit higher because of its more uniform grain and color. The wiggles in the grain on 1 would ding the grading a bit.

I'm thinking the same thing.

[Steve DeRosa]

Neither for me - I'd want the tight grain of #2 with the lighter color of #1...