Gibson Flame Tops? AA AAA AAAA!! Whats what? Can you help?

[Colo]

I'm seeking education!. What the heck flame top is this? Ive never understood the flame grade thing. Sorry if this has been round before. Thanks guys!

[stickyfiddle]

It's a general reference to the stripiness of the flame. More A's = more stripes. It's just an excuse for Gibson to charge more for the hideous mega-stripey ones imo

That one I'd guess is what Gibson would call AAA

[Colo]

Thanks SF - it made no sense to me like - much appreciated though - thanks!

[stickyfiddle]

Thanks SF - it made no sense to me like - much appreciated though - thanks!

They really don't even know themselves tbh. My 336 is marked "P" for plain top on its certificate, but when I emailed to ask them to confirm the serial number they had it on record as a flametop. It's a lovely subtle flame in real life. Obviously 2 different Gibson employees disagreed!

[Colo]

Haha - sounds like Gibson doesn't it...

[Big Paulie]

It's not just a Gibson thing.

Other manufacturers have equally subjective ways of grading timber (not just maple tops).

[WezV]

its totally subjective. always has been but these days ebay makes it totslly meaningless.

but AAA should be consistent figure on the surface with within no flaws within the main working area and maybe a bit of colour to the maple - not dark, but not pale

AAAAA should be consistent and strong figure right through the piece, but should also be an even (very pale) colour and have no other flaws we sometimes work around like pin holes, bark intrusions, water stains etc. I would argue colour and consistency are more important to the grade than actual figure

on the one above i would say its a strong AAA. notice how the figure is different around the edges, and goes to the very sharply defined flame in the centre. it shows it was not consistent through the piece. they put the flamiest side on top and as they carved through the maple we get to the less defined flamey bits showing. But that is pretty much my favourite type of top

[Colo]

Wow -excellent Wez! thanks!

[ICBM]

I prefer DD tops.

[thermionic]

Are they a well-endowed female ZZ Top tribute band?