best cuts for build.

[spazgrinder]

Sup. i'm going to consruct a guitar body, and was wondering if the cut type (ie riftsawn, quartersawn or flatsawn) makes a difference to the sustain.
i seem to think that one piece would probably vibrate more naturally than several pieces glued together, anyone got any techknow about this.
im probably going to use mahogany but am open to any suggestions.
on another note is there a optimun shape for resonation/sustain.

[jeremyb]

It's more about it not warping isn't it?

[cwco]

Quarter-sawn is the best stability-wise for necks, its likely to the same for the body. Can i ask where your sourcing your mahogany from?

[Edwards]

Re sustain & body type. My understanding is that the type of neck joint that is used has an effect on sustain. Les Pauls are known for sustain, so maybe use that body shape? - but I doubt if the body shape matters, as much as the wood type (& neck joint as stated). If you take out the neck pickup on a high end (or very old) Les Paul, you will see the neck join under where the neck pickup sits. This supposedly aided in sustain on the old classic Les Pauls like the '59, which as stated, were known for this characteristic.