A Deep Dive into Outstanding Playability
There’s a buzzword scorching its way across the guitar world — roasted maple. You’ve seen it in product descriptions. You’ve heard players rave about it on forums. And now it’s popping up in seriously good guitars from JET and Spira, two brands we’re proud to stock right here at Musicmaker.
But what actually is roasted maple? Why does it matter? And why are Jet and Spira guitars getting so much attention for using it?
Let’s dive into the science, the sound, and the feel — then take a look at a few standout guitars in our racks right now.
What Is Roasted Maple?
Roasted maple (also called torrefied or caramelised maple) is maple wood that’s been heat-treated in a controlled, oxygen-free environment. This process removes moisture, impurities, and oils from the wood — essentially accelerating the natural aging process.
The result? A neck that’s:
- Stronger and more stable (less prone to warping or shifting)
- Lighter in weight
- More resonant with enhanced sustain
- Beautifully coloured, with rich brown caramel tones and visible grain
- Roasted maple doesn’t just look cool — it plays and sounds better too.
Why Guitarists Love Roasted Maple Necks
Let’s talk feel. A roasted maple neck is ultra-smooth, especially when paired with a satin finish. There's no sticky gloss, no tackiness — just a fast, dry, silky touch that makes legato lines and fast runs feel effortless.
And the tone? Roasted maple is slightly brighter than untreated maple, but with more harmonic complexity. It balances clarity and warmth in a way that’s especially appealing for metal, blues, fusion, and modern rock players.
Oh, and did we mention it looks amazing?
Check out the Jet Guitars JS-400 VYW Roasted Maple HSS at Musicmaker today......
Jet & Spira: Making Roasted Maple Affordable
You don’t need a boutique custom build to get a roasted neck anymore — and that’s largely thanks to brands like JET Guitars and Spira. These guys are punching far above their price point, bringing premium features into the hands of real players without compromising on quality.
Let’s check out what they’re offering:
The beast that is the Spira S-407 - test it at Musicmaker now.
Spira S-407 Roasted Maple HH 7-String
A flat-out metal machine. The S-407 features a roasted maple neck with a modern D profile and a rock-solid ebony tech fretboard. This combo gives you incredible stability for low tunings and silky smooth playability for lightning-fast runs.
Pair that with custom high-output Spira pickups and striking finishes like Satin Wine Red, Satin White, and Satin Black, and you’ve got a 7-string that’s already turning heads in the scene.
Perfect for: Progressive metal, djent, modern hard rock, extended-range experimentation.
Oh so smooth..... The JT-350 Roasted Maple with Rosewood Fingerboard
JET JT-350 Roasted Series
Inspired by vintage T-style classics but built for today’s players, the JT-350 Roasted models feature roasted maple necks with modern contours, slim C shapes, and rolled fretboard edges.
They’re incredibly playable, with a tone that balances brightness and bite — ideal for funk, blues, indie, and clean tones that sparkle. With their ash bodies and classic finishes, these guitars look as good as they sound.
Perfect for: Versatile players, indie rockers, blues heads, and anyone chasing a tele-style vibe with extra refinement.
Come and check out our huge range of JS-400 Guitars.
JET JS-400 Roasted Series
Prefer an S-style setup? The JS-400 Roasted range offers the same roasted maple smoothness but in a format built for shred. Think flatter radius fretboards, HSS pickup configurations, and slick finishes.
These guitars give you the stability of roasted maple for bending, divebombing, and tremolo abuse — all without the price tag of bigger brand names.
Perfect for: Shredders, session players, and home studio riff builders looking for tone and tuning reliability.
Why Roasted Maple Matters in Dublin’s Climate
Here in Ireland, weather isn’t just a talking point — it’s a tone risk. Humidity changes and temperature swings can play havoc with guitar necks. Roasted maple is more resistant to these environmental shifts, making it a smart choice for gigging musicians, touring players, or anyone who doesn’t want to fight their guitar between seasons.
It’s peace of mind. And let’s face it — we could all use a bit more of that.
Come Try Them at Musicmaker
We’ve got Spira and JET guitars in stock now, roasted and ready to rock. Swing by Musicmaker Dublin, plug in, and feel the difference a roasted maple neck makes. Try a 7-string riff on the Spira S-407 or noodle some clean leads on the Jet JT-350 — and trust your hands. They’ll tell you everything you need to know.
TL;DR – Why Roasted Maple Rules
- It’s more stable, more resonant, and looks beautiful
- It gives you smoother playability and better feel
- It’s featured in some of the best-value guitars on the market
- Jet and Spira are leading the charge — and we’ve got them in stock
Want premium feel without the premium price tag? Get roasted.
Only at Musicmaker.
