The Electra Forums

I've read somewhere on this forum that, on the LP-style guitars such as the Super Rock and X3{2345}0, the tops are pressed laminates instead of carved maple? Is this true? If so, how was that done... is the mahogany underneath carved to support it? Is there an air gap?

On my X310 project there is a maple laminate that is arched over mahogany body. it is only arched in the pickup area and there is open air in that area. Interestingly, Gibs*n is now using that method on some models, calling them chambered.

Great question. Original "Copy" Electras were made by Kasuga and for the most part used the pressed tops - we actually called them chambered back in the day. The idea was that a carved hunk of maple that was 25mm thick was really heavy AND expensive. These pressed tops were actually 5 to 9 mm thick and were "bent" over a press with a bunch of steam, then rough sanded to give a little more detail around the edge.

Some later models were filled with a structural foam that almost looked like a resin composition but was really almost like the consumer foam used today. It tended to fill gaps and eliminated some of the resonance in the body.

Later models were moved to Matsumoku (and Terada) and had carved tops.

A key here is that pressed tops, laminated and molded tops are all different manufacturing techniques with different sonic properties. We didn't make any production models with the molded tops but did make carved (a bookmatched slap carved on an NCR machine), Laminated - (usually a solid-carved top of poplar or mahogany covered with a flamed maple laminate for sunburst finishes), Pressed (5mm or so maple - steam pressed to a jig and then glued to a flat body with underlaying structure). Molded tops were experimental in several factories using a composite material almost like MDF and glued to structure. I know of a couple of companies that produced them but we could never pass QC due to the differences in environmental between the composites and the underlayment. Cracks and or separations were too common in the sample runs.

Some of the chambered (pressed top) models had a really neat sound. They had a character and a bit of overtone at the 500hz range. They would feed back if stressed but I kind of liked it. They were also somewhat lighter than a solid mahogany body with a dense maple top.

My 2 cents worth!

Tom

As always thanks for the insight and the real scoop on how these were done. I have one of the mentioned laminated chambered models and I love the sound it puts out. The weight reduction is nice also but I like the additional yet unusual tone it gives. Great job Thanks again.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

So a wave headstock X330 would be a carved top?? Am I understanding this correctly? Pre Mats were pressed or laminated and Matsumokus were carved?

I practice a lot with both my X340 and X330 right out of the case - unplugged;

They both have a really great acoustic sound which is definitely noticed when they are plugged in.

When I have them out playing at gigs I have gotten a lot of positive comments in this regard and a few questions - are they chambered? Always answered that they must be.

They have great controlled feedback with sustain.

And now it has been confirmed thanks to Tom Presley.

RCSBlues

Wondering if Tom can provide any insight on the Electra Strat copies from the early 70's.

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-Andy
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1970's Electra Les Paul
'83 Electra Westone x185
'84 Electra Westone x195 with Kahler Flyer (first guitar ever)
'84 Electra Westone Dynasty
'84 Electra Westone x195
2x 1990's Crate Electra
'90 Westone Villain with Modulus Graphite Neck