This $20,000 Guitar Will Make You Rethink Everything You Know About Maple!

Driftwood Guitars demos a Grand Session model acoustic guitar with Birdseye Maple back & sides, and a Western Red Cedar top.
To learn more about Driftwood Guitars, visit: www.DriftwoodGuitars.com

[@WagesofGear]

about dang time, been missing some good ol quality driftwood content

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

I hate this assumption that a piece of wood can be defined by its species. I could take a birdseye maple log and cut it up any number of ways, then dry it any number of ways, and achieve a litany of different results... All wood isn't the same, even from the same tree, every single piece is unique and its just as much the affinage as it is the piece of raw material itself that determines the end result. I've got hickory right now thats as strong as some ebony and lighter than any spruce I've ever held... So anyone who writes off a species of wood is generalizing way too much for their opinions to have any merit.

[@joshuapaulsen7414]

Finally...a new Driftwood vid. I've been going through withdrawals for quite some time.

[@smandez2023]

Yeah Chris- that's a fabulous looking and sounding guitar. Well done!

[@nathancourtney2006]

The passion I saw when you described this guitar. You are most definitely proud of it and you should be. It’s always a plus and pleasure when a luthier can play as well. Wow what a beautiful guitar!!!

[@teladan5]

I worked in construction and the first time I saw birdseye maple was many years ago when it was used as a veneer in a high-end tenant improvement. Absolutely beautiful wood. Beautiful looking instrument! Sounds great as well!

[@jaypeterson7637]

The sound balance is exceptional! Fantastic appearance...🎵👀🎶

[@glenngarver687]

Another BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENT CRAFTED BY A MASTER WOODWORKER, Luthier & Musician!! Love your channel and the demos of instruments created! 👍👍👍

[@waltersguitars3336]

Great job! Very well balanced tone, very rich organic woody sound!! Thanks for sharing

[@claudestewart5465]

That's one beautiful guitar. I was so glad to see this video come up on my feed.

[@josephknudson5097]

Sounds awesome Chris! God bless you.

[@7dc379]

Sounds great, looks absolutely stunning!

[@msigersYT]

Wow, that birdseye maple is stunning! Incredible guitar Chris!

[@hymnplayer]

That guitar looks and sounds AMAZING! Well done.

[@proguitarsetups137]

Beautiful understated elegance and sounds great!

[@keithgossage90]

Thank you for the demonstration. I had a guitar built almost 25 years ago and it is quilted maple and shares many of your spot on building techniques. Occasionally my shoulder doesn't like the extra depth but the sound is undeniable! I love your work!

[@nateavard6081]

I know it doesn't have the typical Driftwood bling, but man... I think that might be the most beautiful guitar I've seen on this channel. It sounds incredible too! I feel like the highs and lows start out very separated from each other, but converge as the notes ring out. Incredible work Chris!

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

Absolute stunner Chris! Thanks for taking us inside your design thoughts on this one as well.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Thanks! We’re excited to see your new side bender! It looks fantastic.

[@brianblair1478]

Congrats... Seriously, beautiful instrument. You've got yourself a winner.

[@locngo]

The bridge material and design are outstanding

[@scottakam]

Looks good. Sounds good. Always nice to see some "local" woods used in guitars.

[@1101964]

it's got a really nice mellow warm sound . I love it . Beautiful looking guitar also.

[@georgejames8718]

A beautiful guitar. Well done, as always.

[@lesstone9005]

This is an absolutely beautiful guitar! Simple, dressed down yet elegant. I believe that is the finest Birdseye maple I have seen to date. The western cedar, the ebony and walnut binding, the headstock overlay on both front and back all compliment one another perfectly making in my opinion just a stunning guitar. As a hobby guitar builder I can really appreciate the love and craftsmanship that went into it. My prize acoustic guitar is a 2017 Martin D28, which I love because of its its deep, rich woody tone. Through my speakers I hear that same familiar woody sound, which is a real achievement given the maple and cedar combo. Well done my friend!

[@lostinthecarolinas]

This is the best-sounding guitar I've ever heard. Clear without being brittle and yet, wonderfully vibrantly and rich. Well done!

[@darrell3368]

That’s a beautiful guitar and sounds awesome

[@busabrye]

Sounds incredible, looks amazing, wow!!!

[@BrianWMay]

Should be for that money !!

[@duelenigma7732]

I'm very happy to own a Larrivee OM , quarter cut maple . Thirty years old now and a gem .

[@theragingpony1]

Such a natural sound. I love that

[@deanallen927]

Wow, haven't checked in for a while; letting the ol' hair go wild for a while! Looks good. I love this guitar which, after the videos I've seen looks a bit of a departure. Super articulate and clear sounding. Great note separation. Sounds VERY alive. If I had the money for one of your guitars I would want one based on that. Nice work!

[@NickMcC]

Just lovely! Well done. Fresh and woody.

[@WoodshopMike]

Great work my friend. Looks great and sounds amazing!

[@kmichaelp4508]

Greetings from Sebastian Flarda 🤣 Ole buddy, you hit a home run with this one!!! I have always loved maple. And now? THAT SOUND 🙏🙏🙏

[@yellowcat1310]

That guitar sounds even better than it looks. you absolutely knocked it out of the park and I think set the standard. i have major work to do to ever make one of those. amazing. your client is going to be thrilled.

[@kalleblom5564]

best sounding maple guitar I've heard so far. Great job!

[@kamarienedwards1757]

Boucher makes some really good torrified maple guitars

[@Maplefoxx-vl2ew]

@@kamarienedwards1757 and i bet they are not base price 20thousand dollars.. this actually is an insane thing to do is sell guitars for the prices of cars.. it's like those insane priced oboes.. cuz the black wood from africa.. we need to stop cutting down rare trees.. especially redwood cedar.. i can not respect a person who still using redwood cedar at this point in history.

[@red58impala]

What a pretty guitar, not only aesthetically but also sonically.

[@donaldboyett7682]

Fantastic sound on this one. Its owner is going to have a ball taking it on a test drive. Excellent work!

[@JS-hu7pv]

Yikes man. That’s aesthetically and sonically beautiful. A sweet balanced tone with consistent intonation. Ya knocked this one out of the park.

[@murlyn2]

It sounds amazing! I’m a Taylor guy. I love the necks and the sustain. Your guitar has the tonal qualities I wish my Taylors had.

[@jamesstephenlee]

What an amazingly rich, woody, and round tone from a maple back and sides guitar. Well done!

[@P-J-W-777]

Sounds beautiful and probably one of my favorite sounding acoustic guitars now. You’ve proven maple can be beautiful.

[@aprendeguitarra8146]

Beautiful sounds

[@mitchmullenbach2004]

Absolutely gorgeous look and sound!

[@kevinlucken8558]

I’m in love with that sound

[@CMRWoodworks]

Beautiful work!

[@gpower]

Sounds beautiful!

[@JarrettAndrew]

Bro! One of the best I’ve heard from your collection! Very familiar woody tone with your trademark sparkle!

[@SUPERFLASH-activate]

You’re my favourite luthier so far, probably the best…. you always amazed me of every masterpiece you have made…

[@BassistThan]

YES! YOU’RE BACK!

[@NoraphonKaedklung]

It's very nice sound. Thank you.

[@texhaines9957]

Yum. Nice guitar Thanks

[@clamshell3898]

Stunning work brother! A fine heirloom instrument for sure.

[@dropdbass]

Great sounding guitar! Bravo!!

[@newffee]

Beautiful build Chris! Sounds great. Cedar really pairs well with Maple.

[@robnic52]

Beautiful proportions and simply fabulous wood, lovely minimal slotted headstock. Really like this one. Sounds beautiful. Well done luthier and customer great decisions.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Beautiful sounding instrument! Great job!

[@ZionForman]

I once owned a maple/cedar topped guitar. loved it. this one sounds great.

[@wallygoots]

The brightness of maple without harshness. Great sustain and mellowness of the cedar really compliment the maple.

[@geraldponce8336]

Your bracing and voicing is what really let the sound blossom on that guitar. Probably about as free and resonant as it gets without the bridge pulling the sound board off the body. Lol. Again just a tremendous build. Super awesome job. Also the cedar top, box size, and bridge material.

[@rbrock00]

Wow, I love that guitar. I am surprised at how well it sustains. The sound is warm, but not muddy in the least. You can hear every note clearly. Fantastic instrument.

[@ZanderWyatt]

Reminds me of a Gruhn quad. Smart design with the snappy mids from the maple which helps tighten up the lows from the large lower bout. Love it man!

[@kevinlucken8558]

What a gorgeous instrument

[@mimeeks3]

I appreciate the craftsmanship and looks of those elaborate inlays, but I agree with you about enjoying the simplicity and letting the guitar do the talking

[@riffraffrichard]

Looks and sounds beautiful!

[@FiddleSticks800]

My first good sounding guitar was a cedar top. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of my younger years, those cedar top steel strings speak to me. Amazing guitar, excellent aesthetics and sound.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I have a takamine ean-10c cedar top' mahogany back and sides' EB aluminum bronze strings' is one of the best sounding guitars I've ever had/heard.

[@MartinReiter143]

I have a small jumbo 12-string, Sitka and Maple and it sounds amazing. Play it soft or hard, up the neck or down, it never breaks up, always shimmers, and sustains for days.

[@RichardCramer-tq9nu]

Imagine how this instrument's sound will blossom as it ages. I love its simplicity. I have a maple bodied Guild 12 string and I like its sound also. Safe travels.

[@ikravchik]

Cedar has a lovely natural distortion

[@yfz450rider39]

That is a work of art!! Perfect choices of wood all around. That is a guitar I'd be curious to hear in person to hear how it reacts.

[@MatthewCuda]

Beautiful work as always. I am a sucker for quilted maple

[@dmontalvo1983]

I’m an amateur luthier and I’ve been hoping to build a guitar out of maple and walnut that sounds just like yours! But I’ve been reluctant due to its reputation. But now I know that beautiful sound can be achieved. Thank you 🙏

[@Maydoggie]

"Clarity" is the word that comes to mind when I hear this guitar. I am in awe of the blingier guitars you build, because your talent is so impressive. That being said, I like very subtle looking adornments on a guitar. (Even Martin 28s are a bit too blingy for my personal tastes.) This is a beautiful guitar and my personal favorite of the builds of yours that I've seen.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Wow. That is a wonderful guitar, in every way.

[@genegambardella6393]

Amazing guitar!! I would love to see a video about your bridge design. Looks interesting.

[@ScottHz]

Back in ‘80, I ordered an electric (double cutaway) Carvin with flame maple body (cap on Alder) with birdseye maple fingerboard - beautiful! (natural finish)

[@denniswilliams2385]

The resonance of that guitar is just, Wow!

[@Natethefarmer89]

Love it. I love the cedar top!

[@samuelmutungi6718]

Wonderful sound

[@martindl9897]

Beautiful guitar.

[@dougcrowe1226]

Always love your jamz also❤

[@JM46jm]

Beautiful.

[@Thexpertoneverything]

Listening on my Yamaha HS8 studio monitors. Sounds absoluteley amazing! Love from Sweden.

[@redbirdjazzz]

This may be my favorite looking and sounding Driftwood guitar so far. Absolutely gorgeous. Reminds me a bit of some of the Gibson Nick Lucas Specials I've heard, which were deep-bodied guitars, many of which had maple backs and sides. This one has more high end sparkle to my ears, though.

[@SamplePerspectiveImporta-hq3ip]

Love the aesthetics and simplicity of this guitar! I daresay I like it even more than the ancient sikta one with the crazy inlays.

[@rockers2rockers616]

It already sounds quite 'open '. Wonderful. I think you're on to a winner.

[@timb350]

Beautiful sounding guitar...and beautifully made. Wondering what strings you are using?

[@mikeb792]

Gorgeous

[@kristopherk5454]

I built a stew mac om kit that had maple b/s with engleman top. Very rich for maple, but a nice dryness too.

[@jefffuhr2393]

*A Thing of Beauty* A joy to behold and especially to listen to. Not a lot was said about that fretboard, but wow! Great intonation 12th fret and higher. You strung it with strings that resonate with all the "sawdust" that went into crafting it. FWIW-watched video on 40" 4K monitor with Surface Pro 2 over-ears headphones-good enough to appreciate what you were sharing.

[@JoelK]

Reminds me a lot of my maple back J185 both in shape and tone.

[@drzainnas]

There are similarities between wood tones and medical practice that every situation has it's unique approach even they share the same condition. This guitar has its unique tones and you can hear it clearly in a studio sound analysis' devices and monitors. Well done Chris great work as always. Best regards from England UK.

[@lebe220]

My Takamine has a cedar top. Brings warmth

[@kevinkeener]

What I'm hearing on my studio monitors is nice upper mid clarity without being trebly. Very warm with a very controlled lower range. I think this guitar would shine best at being played fingerstyle rather than strummed. The clear mids and tight bass give it the voice to articulate plucked notes. And the birdseye is a striking aesthetic. I'm also a huge fan of a clean look; not crazy about a bunch of busy adornments on an instrument. This is a gorgeous guitar.

[@christianvidigalmiranda4229]

The perfect sound

[@lotus-e-clan]

In 1974, when just a naïve 18 yo, I commissioned John Levoi (England) to make me a J200 equivalent as I couldn't afford the real thing and Cat Stevens was my hero. I left the details to him. The result was a top quality timbered maple b/s cedar topped 5.5 inch deep monster (deeper than yours) with a massive mahogany V neck that I couldn't play! It cost £130 (I month NHS salary). The sound was to die for but my Cat Stevens singing attempts couldn't be heard over the top. Eventually I impetuously swapped it for a lowly Yamaha FG360 that I could play better and be heard over. Regret the swap now. The naïve 19 yo in me didn't realise just how good that John Levoi guitar really was!

[@bradfitz999]

Listening on Mackie studio monitors and the clarity and attack of that guitar is incredible! Your amazing playing definitely is a bonus. What is the song you're playing at 11:44?

[@Charlie-hp2oh]

played a Guild F model once, maple + cedar. was amazing

[@MrPab1lb]

Hiya Chris, I am an amateur builder with a model I call the "Phoebe" and the first I ever built is WRC top and Flame Maple back and sides. I agree, it sounds gorgeous when playing finger style, which I do mostly. Started playing with a bluegrass mob and find it a bit thin and tinny when I'm digging in and making my attempt at lead breaks. I've retrofitted a K&K Pure Mini pick up which helps, because I don't need to dig in. Interesting, but I'm loving it. I'll somehow work out to send you a pick or two. Cheers Paul

[@mrz80]

Years and years ago I toured the Martin factory and they had hanging in the lobby a custom-shop special, the D-60. Picture a D-28 only the back and sides are maple. It was the most amazing sounding dreadnought I've ever played. It had all the depth and bass of a dread, but with the clarity and sparkle (good lord did I just write that? 🙂 ) of a 000. It was magnificent.

[@sil.lum.quan.]

Beautiful guitar and nice balance. I thought the same about maple until I bought a Falcon II from Ricky Barlow with a Burma Lindera top and a curly maple body and I later bought a quilted maple Ibanez GB40th. Maple's cool when done by a master luthier.