Color
Bigleaf Maple typically displays pale cream, off-white, or light yellowish-brown tones. Some boards also show golden hues or subtle reddish coloration. Its appearance can change with lighting and finishing.
What is Big Leaf Maple?
Premium North American Figured Maple
Bigleaf Maple
Quilted & Flame Figure
The flowing, three-dimensional patterns of quilted maple. The striking ribbon-like stripes of flame maple. Native to the Pacific coast of North America, Bigleaf Maple is admired by luthiers and woodworkers for its distinctive natural figure and versatile woodworking applications.
01
What Is Bigleaf Maple?
Origin & Botanical Information
Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), also known as Oregon Maple, is a hardwood native to the Pacific coast of North America.
Its natural range extends from British Columbia, Canada, through the western United States. The wood generally features a pale cream to light yellowish-brown color and a relatively fine texture.
Bigleaf Maple is used for furniture, cabinetry, veneers, musical instruments, and decorative woodworking.
Some trees produce exceptionally attractive figured wood, including quilted and flame patterns. These natural figures are particularly desirable for electric guitar and bass tops, as well as fine furniture.
- Common Name
- Bigleaf Maple / Oregon Maple
- Scientific Name
- Acer macrophyllum Pursh
- Family
- Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)
- Native Range
- Pacific coast of North America, including Canada and the United States
- Average Dried Weight
- Approximately 545 kg/m³ (reference value; varies by specimen)
- Common Figures
- Quilted, Flame, Curly, and Fiddleback Figure
- Primary Uses
- Electric guitar and bass tops, furniture, veneers, and specialty woodworking
02
Wood Characteristics
Color, Grain & Workability
Grain & Figure
The grain is generally relatively straight, but variations in fiber orientation may produce distinctive quilted, flame, or curly figure.
Density & Hardness
A moderately dense hardwood, Bigleaf Maple is generally softer than the species commonly sold as Hard Maple. Density, stiffness, and strength vary between individual boards.
Workability
Usually suitable for conventional cutting, sanding, gluing, and finishing. Strongly figured areas may be more difficult to plane cleanly because of changing grain direction.
03
Quilted Maple Figure
Depth & Three-Dimensional Patterns
Quilted figure resembles the soft, raised patterns of quilted fabric or ripples spreading across water.
Changes in the orientation of wood fibers produce shifting reflections, creating an impression of depth and movement across the surface.
Visual Depth
Changing light and shadow can make the wood appear almost three-dimensional, even when its surface is smooth.
Irregular Patterns
Broad waves, cloud-like shapes, and rounded quilt patterns give each piece a distinct natural appearance.
Decorative Guitar Tops
Quilted figure can become the visual centerpiece of electric guitar and bass body tops.
Finishing Possibilities
Clear finishes and carefully applied stains can emphasize the contrast and apparent depth of quilted grain.
Quilted figure is primarily a visual characteristic. Figure intensity alone does not determine structural quality or acoustic performance.
04
Flame & Curly Maple Figure
Ribbon-Like Stripes & Natural Movement
Flame Maple displays repeated light and dark bands that resemble tiger stripes or flowing ribbons.
It is often associated with the terms Curly Maple and Fiddleback Maple, although these descriptions may be used somewhat differently depending on the wood supplier and appearance of the figure.
Distinctive Stripes
Repeated bands of contrast create a recognizable striped figure that may range from fine and tight to broad and flowing.
Changing Reflections
The light and dark bands may appear to shift as the viewing angle changes, creating natural visual movement.
Instrument Decoration
Flame Maple is used for electric guitar tops, decorative neck components, headplates, and veneers.
Versatile Finishes
From natural clear coats to transparent color finishes, careful finishing can bring out the contrast of flame figure.
For neck applications, examine grain orientation, stability, dimensions, and mechanical suitability in addition to the appearance of flame figure.
05
Quilted vs. Flame Maple
Understanding the Difference
Quilted and flame figure can both occur in Bigleaf Maple. The distinction mainly concerns the visible shape and arrangement of the grain patterns.
Quilted Maple
Figure: Broad, irregular waves and rounded quilt-like patterns.
Visual Character: Soft, dramatic depth with large flowing shapes.
Typical Uses: Decorative guitar and bass tops, veneers, and fine furniture.
Flame Maple
Figure: Repeated light and dark stripes, often resembling ribbons or tiger stripes.
Visual Character: Distinct, flowing bands of contrast.
Typical Uses: Decorative guitar and bass tops, suitable neck components, and veneers.
Neither figure is universally superior to the other. The best choice depends on the intended design, individual material, dimensions, and personal preference.
Figure names describe visual grain patterns, not separate wood species. Density, stiffness, grain orientation, and moisture condition must be evaluated for each individual piece.
06
Instrument Applications & Grading
Tonewood Selection & Figure Quality
Figured Bigleaf Maple is widely appreciated for electric guitar and bass tops, body caps, and decorative instrument components.
Thin decorative tops can highlight the grain while allowing builders to combine the figured layer with a separate body wood. Thicker caps and other components may also be appropriate when the dimensions and mechanical properties are suitable.
Maple is sometimes associated with a clear tonal response and articulate attack. However, these are general descriptions rather than guaranteed properties of any individual piece.
In electric instruments, the final sound is also influenced by construction, pickups, electronics, hardware, and setup. Quilt or flame figure alone does not determine compatibility with humbuckers or single-coil pickups.
Figure Intensity
Consider the depth, clarity, and visual contrast of the figure under changing light.
Figure Distribution
Examine how consistently the grain pattern appears across the usable surface.
Dimensions & Cutting
Confirm usable length, width, thickness, and grain orientation for drop tops, body caps, or other components.
Material Condition
Inspect for cracks, knots, warping, moisture content, and other defects relevant to the intended application.
Maikai Wood Hawaii Grading
Maikai Wood Hawaii uses an in-house grading scale from 1A to 5A+. Figure intensity, consistency, and other visual characteristics are evaluated according to the material and product category.
Because quilted and flame figures have different appearances, review each product's grade, photographs, dimensions, and specifications before purchasing.
07
Working, Drying & Storage
Practical Workshop Considerations
Bigleaf Maple is a relatively fine-textured hardwood generally suited to conventional woodworking, including cutting, sanding, and finishing.
In strongly quilted or flame-figured material, changes in grain direction can make planing and machining more challenging. Tear-out may occur when cutting against the grain.
Use sharp cutting tools, controlled feed rates, and light cutting passes where necessary.
During drying, potential problems include end checking, warping, and discoloration. Required drying time depends on board thickness, initial moisture content, drying conditions, and the chosen method.
Before precision instrument work, check moisture content and dimensional stability. Allow the wood to acclimate to the workshop environment before final machining.
About Drying Time
A general estimate such as two to three months for boards 20–30 mm thick cannot be applied reliably to all drying conditions. Actual moisture measurements and material stability should take priority over a fixed timetable.
08
Choosing Bigleaf Maple for Your Project
Recommended Applications
Electric Guitars
Quilted and flame drop tops, body caps, and decorative tops for custom builds.
Electric Basses
Figured body tops and decorative components that showcase the natural grain.
Instrument Details & Custom Parts
Suitable neck components, headplates, veneers, and other custom parts. Structural requirements should be checked for each application.
Furniture, Veneers & Crafts
Fine furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, wooden accessories, and specialty woodworking.
Quilted and flame figure each offer a distinctive expression of Bigleaf Maple. Choose material according to the intended appearance, dimensions, and physical condition.
At Maikai Wood Hawaii, we appreciate the unique character of every piece and offer specialty wood for luthiers, instrument makers, and woodworkers around the world.
