"Real" pilage

GregLewis

Could someone explain what is meant by the term " a real pilage"?

Thanks

Bohemian

It is the sharp bend in the top as found on the original Sel/Macs and other guitars of the period.
Also common on bowl back mandolins. This was usually made by bending the wood over a hot iron or rod.

Most modern guitars use a dome or curve in the top. Some higher end models from a few makers such as Dupont will use the "pilage" (sic)......

Michael Bauer

Rodrigo Shopis uses a real pliage in his guitars as well.

GregLewis

So if I understand, the top is either joined together and then bent over a hot iron to form the pilage, or the top pieces are bent to match and then joined. In any event, the top is not bent over curved braces but the braces are carved to fit the curve ("pilage") of the top. Right?

Which method is most commonly used?

Thanks

Bohemian

The bend (pliage) goes across the guitar parallel with the bridge.

frater

Michael Bauer wrote:

Rodrigo Shopis uses a real pliage in his guitars as well.

Really? I just can't tell that from the pics in his homepage... probably not a very pronounced pliage then.

Michael Bauer

I have never played one of Rodrigo's Selmer copies, oddly enough, just the Favino ones (Which are bloody awesome!). But he is very emphatic that he does a real pliage on his "Selmers".