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.
Quilted Maple 5A Laminated Guitar Top Panels – 2-Set Bundle #QMV-018/019
SKU: QMV-018-019
■ Product Description
Quilted Maple 5A (High Grade) Laminated Panels
Decorative Guitar Top Panels – 2-Set Bundle
Item Numbers: QMV-018 / QMV-019
This bundle features 5A (High Grade) Quilted Maple laminated panels, made with decorative maple veneer displaying beautiful quilted figure.
Both QMV-018 and QMV-019 are graded 5A (High Grade), featuring distinctive wave-like quilted patterns with an attractive three-dimensional appearance that changes depending on the viewing angle and light.
The naturally light coloration of maple, combined with its striking quilted figure, creates an elegant and luxurious appearance, adding distinctive character to custom guitars and decorative woodworking projects.
This product includes two sets of 5A Quilted Maple laminated guitar top panels, offered together as a bundle.
These panels are recommended for decorative guitar tops, musical instrument veneers, decorative panels, and various custom woodworking applications.
■ Grade
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QMV-018: 5A (High Grade) Quilted
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QMV-019: 5A (High Grade) Quilted
■ Wood Species & Material
Material: Laminated panels featuring Quilted Maple veneer
English Name: Quilted Maple Veneer
These products are laminated plywood panels, not solid wood.
■ Set Contents
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QMV-018 × 1 Set
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QMV-019 × 1 Set
Total: 2 Sets
■ Size
QMV-018 | 5A (High Grade)
Approx. 510 × 380–410 × 4.8 mm
QMV-019 | 5A (High Grade)
Approx. 510 × 370–410 × 4.8 mm
(Length × Width × Thickness)
The dimensions shown are for each individual product. The width varies depending on the section of the panel. Please confirm that the available dimensions are suitable for your intended guitar design or woodworking project before purchasing.
■ Wood Information
Material: Quilted Maple Laminated Plywood
English Name: Quilted Maple Veneer
Grade: 5A (High Grade)
Construction: Multi-layer laminated plywood featuring decorative maple veneer
The exact botanical species of maple and the composition of the plywood core have not been confirmed.
■ Features
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Both products are graded 5A (High Grade)
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Beautiful wave-like quilted figure with an attractive three-dimensional appearance
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Striking natural grain patterns that change with the viewing angle and light
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Naturally light and elegant maple coloration
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Highly decorative material that enhances the appearance of custom guitars
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Includes both QMV-018 and QMV-019 as a 2-set bundle
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Suitable for musical instrument decoration and various specialty woodworking applications
■ Recommended Uses
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Decorative Guitar Tops
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Electric Guitar Decorative Top Panels
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Custom Guitar Building
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Musical Instrument Decorative Panels
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Furniture and Interior Decorative Panels
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Custom Woodworking and Craft Projects
As these products are laminated plywood rather than solid wood, their construction and intended applications differ from solid acoustic soundboard materials. Please confirm the laminate structure and suitability for your intended application before using them as structural instrument components.
A beautiful 2-set bundle of 5A Quilted Maple laminated guitar top panels, featuring striking quilted figure and elegant natural coloration for distinctive custom guitars and decorative woodworking projects.
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.
Detailed information
Tree species: キルトメイプル
Usage: エレクトリックギター
Ukulele size:
Ukulele set: トップ
Guitar size:
Guitar set:
Guitar grade: 5A
Color:
Format:
Striped pattern:
Dimensions of top thickness:
Top width:
Top length:
Back thickness:
Back width:
Back length:
Side thickness:
Side width:
Site length:
