Grain on bearclaw sitka top

[Justin Bretz]

I joined a heavy figured bearclaw sitka spruce top and went ahead and did the rosette and cut the sound hole and then (of course not before I started), I noticed that grain lines converged on the center line with the apex of the "chevron" pointing toward the neck. I know the common/best practice is to have the grain lines running the full length of the top (i.e. neck block to tail block) parallel to the center line, but I don't recall talk of the grain lines converging. I don't think it will make any difference structurally, but figured this is the place to find out.

[Barry Daniels]

How much are you talking about? If you had to re-joint this top, how much would you have to taper the joint to get parallel grain?

[Dave Stewart]

Not sure splitting/rejoining is an option with the rosette/soundhole done. If it's the "bearclaws" forming chevrons, I'd say that's normal & not to worry. If it's grain lines at a very acute angle (which I'd guess it is, since it didn't jump out at you earlier), IMO I'd also say chaulk it up, make a note so it's not repeated and move on.

[Justin Bretz]

I guess my concern is the strength of the top being able to resist tearing apart when it comes under full string tension. The angle is extremely acute (probably less than 1 degree). This is one of those mistakes that is a shame since the top was a nice piece of wood. That being said, hopefully I can forge ahead without worry. It is a guitar for myself so no worries there.

[Mark Swanson]

Post a photo if you can. Otherwise, I think it'll be just fine.

[Rodger Knox]

I think the only concerns here are cosmetic, that small amount of runout in the joint should have no adverse effect on the strength of the joint.

[Wayne Brown]

My first guitar build was a Stew Mac kit. The top came pre-joined and profiled. The top did not have straight grain, it had sort of a bow to it with a chevron in front of the bridge. This seemed to be against everything I knew about building guitars (which was not a lot at that time). I went ahead and used the top and it is still together/no splits 7 years later. Its a great sounding and loud guitar btw. So...I don't think you have too much to worry about.