Maple tops are only a then sheet, like 1/4", of maple placed on the front of the guitar and it cost, but can effect the tone of the guitar for the better. The flame maple sheet has a grain design the looks striped as if flames were crawling up it, I think, because there are also spralted, quilted, and birds eye tops too. This sheet is usually stained some transperent color and finished with a clear coat so that you can see the wood grain.

I'm no expert on guitars with tops but I think I'm right about all this. Hope I helped out.

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