Quartersawn — Lutherie Encyclopedia

QuartersawnType: glossaryA sawing method that produces boards with annual growth rings roughly perpendicular to the face, yielding superior stability and acoustic properties.## Definition Quartersawn refers to a method of cutting lumber from a log where the saw cuts are oriented so that the annual growth rings run at approximately 60 to 90 degrees relative to the face of the board. This produces boards with straight, parallel grain lines on the face and results in wood that is significantly more dimensionally stable than flat-sawn (plain-sawn) lumber. In lutherie, quartersawn wood is strongly preferred for soundboards, necks, and braces because of its superior stiffness, stability, and predictable acoustic behavior. The term comes from the traditional practice of first quartering the log lengthwise, then cutting boards radially from each quarter. This method yields less usable wood per log than flat-sawing, making quartersawn lumber more expensive. ## In Practice When selecting tonewoods, a luthier examines the end grain of each piece to assess how closely it approaches true quartersawn orientation. Perfectly quartersawn spruce for a soundboard will show vertical grain lines that are tightly spaced and run straight across the board. Any deviation toward flat-sawn orientation reduces stiffness and increases the wood's tendency to warp, cup, or crack with humidity changes. For necks, quartersawn wood resists the warping forces of string tension far better than flat-sawn alternatives. Builders also value the aesthetic of quartersawn grain, which produces a clean, straight-lined appearance on the face. Some species, like maple, display a distinctive…