Moon wood? What’s up with it?

[rbpicker]

I just played a L-03 rosewood with a moon wood top.  BEAUTIFUL SILKING, but that sound is really spectacular.  And it is brand new.  What is the magic in Moon wood?

Rb

[Mikeymac]

Here's a short YT clip where Jean talks some about Sitka Spruce and European Spruce/moonwood.

Video #9 - The Search for Woods

There's a long history (that Jean doesn't go into in this short clip) about the timing of the cutting of European Spruce, during the full moon. Search around on the internet, make some popcorn and you'll have enough to read for quite some time.

[Mikeymac]

Here's some more...

Larrivee D-40R Moon Spruce top

[B0WIE]

It just relates to an old wood harvesting technique that predates Larrivee or steel string guitars. It doesn't mean the wood is going to necessarily be better or sound a certain way. It's just one of many things that can be done to try to get the best use of the logs.

They put it in the name because it's great marketing and people like to know interesting things about their instruments. Some people get really triggered by this and mock it for whatever reason. I've had a Larrivee with one of these tops and I don't think of it as a "moon" top since that isn't really what makes the sound unique. The European spruce does sound different from the Sitka Larrivee most often uses. It's a more harmonically dense and "warm" sound compared to the dry, clear, Sitka sound. So, think of it as an EU spruce Larrivee.

[broKen]

I think its harvested at the beginning of winter, after sap flow has diminished, at time of full moon

[rbpicker]

Thanks so much for the responses, guys.  I find this very interesting, and may become a new L03 owner.  The sound is really clear and rich, and having to do with harvesting coordinated with the sap flow makes perfect sense.

Thanks again.

Rb

[flatlander]

It just relates to an old wood harvesting technique that predates Larrivee or steel string guitars. It doesn't mean the wood is going to necessarily be better or sound a certain way. It's just one of many things that can be done to try to get the best use of the logs.

They put it in the name because it's great marketing and people like to know interesting things about their instruments. Some people get really triggered by this and mock it for whatever reason. I've had a Larrivee with one of these tops and I don't think of it as a "moon" top since that isn't really what makes the sound unique. The European spruce does sound different from the Sitka Larrivee most often uses. It's a more harmonically dense and "warm" sound compared to the dry, clear, Sitka sound. So, think of it as an EU spruce Larrivee.

My sentiments exactly. If people ask I just say Italian Spruce. That being said I really like that wood, having it on 2 guitars.

[AZLiberty]

European Spruce   German/Swiss/Italian/Moon etc. is generally stiffer than Sitka or Engelmann spruce.   So, it tends to sound more like Adirondack than Sitka, with a strong fundamental tone.

Not a fan myself, but I don't really like Adirondack either.   

[rbpicker]

AZ, I agree with you about Adirondack...I don't like it typically.  The guitar I played has the  clarity of adi without the harshness I typically hear from it.  Your comparison is very interesting. Thanks

Rb

[Mikeymac]

I had a Martin with an Adirondack top. It needs to be played in, and even then, it's a different, starker, stronger (some would say "harsher") tone. It cuts through, if that's what you want.

I've also had a C-10 with an Alpine Spruce top and Silver Oak b&s... liked the tone very much, but ultimately sold it because of GAS for another Martin. But my next Larrivee order (a custom version of the JCL 40th Anniversary guitar) will have a "European Alpine Moon Spruce" top ("EAMS" is Larrivee's official name for it on their custom price list sheet).

[B0WIE]

I've got a few adi guitars and a few EU spruce and they're fairly different to my ears. Adi wants to be driven hard. European spruce is generally known for being responsive to a light touch, which is why it's the most popular choice for classical guitars. Adi also has strong midrange overtones that give it that aggressive, in your face tone. EU is a little softer with a full low end. Classical makers generally won't use adi because they don't feel it has the qualities they need in a top.
I'm a fan of both but my favorite steel strings are adi and my fave classical is an EU top. 

Everyone's experiences vary though and I won't say anyone is wrong, because it's entirely possible for an adi top to sound like EU sometimes and vice versa.

[Mikeymac]

I've got a few adi guitars and a few EU spruce and they're fairly different to my ears. Adi wants to be driven hard. European spruce is generally known for being responsive to a light touch, which is why it's the most popular choice for classical guitars. Adi also has strong midrange overtones that give it that aggressive, in your face tone. EU is a little softer with a full low end. Classical makers generally won't use adi because they don't feel it has the qualities they need in a top.
I'm a fan of both but my favorite steel strings are adi and my fave classical is an EU top. 

Everyone's experiences vary though and I won't say anyone is wrong, because it's entirely possible for an adi top to sound like EU sometimes and vice versa.

Great observations/review. And there's nothing wrong with Sitka, either - which has been used on more guitar tops in the last 50-75 years than any of the other woods we're talking about. Much of the popular music of the 50's, 60's and 70's (and beyond) was recorded on guitars with Sitka tops.

[mattwood]

I have an L-03 moonwood/zebrawood that has a great tone.  It does have a full low end but there is something more in the trebles than with sitka.  Kind of a sparkly tone to them. It seems to have a good presence in the lows, mids, and highs and at times I hear overtones in this guitar as well.  I kind of feel like it's a smorsgasbord of tones with lots of nuances.

[mike in lytle]

I kind of feel like it's a smorsgasbord of tones with lots of nuances.

There should be some sort of award for comments like this. 
Mike

[bifenwolf]

Oops, just posted on the acoustic guitar forum bout Moon Wood......I love this quote from Lorenzo Pellegrine; "Once you have found the perfect tree, he says, you have to wait for the perfect day to cut it down. That day comes at the end of autumn when the sap has sunk back into the ground. When the moon is lowest on the horizon, and furthest from the Earth. Because, apparently, the gravitational pull of the moon does not only tug the waters of the sea and make the tides, it tugs up the sap."
I am a guitar nut and the woods used to build the instrument. Any other wood nuts...I would appreciate any thoughts, quotes, info about your favorite tone wood!! 

[songman2]

I guess Stradivarius knew what he was doing. I only know that I love the particular sound of my OM10 RX Moonspruce. It has a clear balanced deep tone which sets it apart from my other guitars. Love it especially when playng a lot of arppegio-like parts in accompaniment together with light strumming. For heavier strumming I usually prefer my other guitars.

[Jasmas]

Does the Euro Spruce/ moonwood tan up like Sitka?  I recently purchased an OO with a moonwood top.  It's very light.  Hoping it'll darken up with age.

[ducktrapper]

Does no one care about the ecological disaster? The moon has been totally clear cut of wood! 

[B0WIE]

Does the Euro Spruce/ moonwood tan up like Sitka?  I recently purchased an OO with a moonwood top.  It's very light.  Hoping it'll darken up with age.

Yes. You can look at classical guitars as a reference as most high quality, EU made classicals are of similar spruce.
My eyes see a reddish/brown hue in the way Sitka tans. EU having a little more of a yellowish tone. Not a big difference by any means.