Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods Explained (Final)

The acoustic guitar is one of modern music’s most recognizable and beloved instruments. Acoustic guitar tonewoods are essential to consider when investing in a new guitar. As any experienced acoustic player will tell you, the choice of tonewoods for the top, back, and sides significantly shape the instrument’s sound.

Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods Explained provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of tonewoods used in acoustic guitars. You’ll learn how each type of wood affects the sound and volume of an acoustic guitar and the benefits and drawbacks associated with each.

What are Tonewoods?

Tonewoods are types of wood that are specifically selected and used in the construction of musical instruments, particularly stringed instruments such as guitars, violins, and cellos. The choice of tonewoods can significantly influence an instrument’s sound, resonance, and overall quality.

Why are they Important?

As acoustic guitar tonewoods explained, they are essential because they significantly impact the sound and overall quality of the instrument. The type of tonewood used for the guitar’s top, back, and sides can influence the tonal characteristics, such as the range of frequencies, sustain, and volume produced by the guitar.

For instance, the choice of tonewood for the guitar’s top is significant because it produces most of its sound. A denser tonewood, such as spruce, produces a brighter and more articulate sound, while a softer wood, such as cedar, produces a warmer and mellow tone.

Similarly, the tonewoods used for the back and sides of the guitar can also affect the instrument’s sound. For example, rosewood is known for producing a rich and full-bodied sound, while mahogany produces a warmer and more midrange-focused tone.

Popular Tonewoods for Acoustic Guitars:

Many tonewoods are popularly used in the construction of acoustic guitars. Here are some of the most commonly used tonewoods:

Spruce:

Spruce is a type of wood commonly used for the top or soundboard of acoustic guitars. It is a coniferous evergreen tree that belongs to the Pinaceae family and is native to the northern hemisphere, particularly in North America and Europe. Spruce trees can grow up to 60 meters tall and have a straight trunk with a conical crown.

Features:

It offers several features that make it ideal for this purpose. Some of the features of spruce include:

• Stiffness and strength: It is a dense, strong wood with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for supporting the guitar strings’ tension and transferring the energy from the strings to the soundboard.
• High Velocity of Sound: Spruce has a high velocity of sound, which means that it can transmit sound waves quickly and efficiently, resulting in a bright and punchy tone.
• Responsiveness: These are highly responsive wood, which can vibrate quickly in response to the player’s touch and produce a wide range of dynamics and tonal colors.
• Versatility: Spruce is a versatile tonewood used in various guitar styles and genres, from fingerstyle to heavy strumming.
• Availability: It is a relatively abundant wood, making it more affordable than some less readily available tonewoods.

Overall, the stiffness, strength, high velocity of sound, and responsiveness of spruce make it an excellent choice for the soundboard of an acoustic guitar.

Types of Spurce:

Several types of spruce are used in guitar making, each with unique properties and characteristics. Here are some of the most commonly used types of spruce for acoustic guitar tops:

• Sitka Spruce: This is the most commonly used type of spruce for guitar tops. It is known for its strong projection, transparent and balanced tone, and good dynamic range. It is also very durable and can withstand heavy strumming and picking.
• Engelmann Spruce: This is a softer and more responsive type of spruce, with a warmer tone and less projection than Sitka spruce. It is often used on smaller-bodied guitars, where a more delicate touch is required.
• Adirondack Spruce: Also known as red spruce, this type of spruce is known for its robust and powerful tone and excellent projection. It is often used on vintage-style acoustic guitars and is favored by bluegrass and country musicians.
• European Spruce: This type of spruce is known for its bright, clear tone and strong projection. It is often used on classical guitars and other instruments that require a crisp, articulate sound.
• Cedar: Although not technically a type of spruce, cedar is often used as a tonewood for acoustic guitar tops. It has a warm, rich tone and is favored by fingerstyle players and those who prefer a softer sound.

Each spruce type has its unique sound and feel, and choosing the right one for your guitar can make a big difference in its overall tone and playability.

Mahogany :

Mahogany is a hardwood widely used as a tonewood for acoustic guitars. It is known for its warm, balanced tone, strong midrange, and clear, bright top end. Mahogany is often used for the back and sides of guitars, although it can also be used for the top.

Features:

Mahogany is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars, valued for its warm, rich tone and strong midrange. Here are some of the key features and characteristics of mahogany as a tonewood:

• Tone: Mahogany is known for its warm, rich tone and strong midrange, with a relatively subdued high end. This makes it ideal for players who prefer a more mellow, balanced sound rather than a bright or piercing tone.
• Durability: Mahogany is a relatively dense hardwood, making it solid and durable. This makes it a good choice for guitar necks and bodies, as it can withstand the stress and strain of regular playing.
• Weight: Mahogany is a relatively lightweight wood, which can make guitars made from it more comfortable to play over long periods. It is also less prone to feedback than heavier woods like rosewood.
• Appearance: Mahogany has a rich, reddish-brown color with a tight, straight-grain pattern. It is often used for guitar backs, sides, and necks because of its attractive appearance.
• Cost: While mahogany is not as expensive as some other tonewoods like Brazilian rosewood, it is still considered a premium wood and can be more expensive than other options. However, many guitar makers and players believe that mahogany’s rich, warm tone is worth the cost.

Overall, mahogany is a versatile and popular tonewood for acoustic guitars, prized for its warm, balanced tone, durability, and attractive appearance.

Types of Mahogany :

Several types of mahogany are used for acoustic guitar construction, each with unique properties and characteristics. Here are some of the most commonly used types of mahogany for acoustic guitar backs and sides:

• Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla): Honduran mahogany is the most commonly used mahogany in guitar making. It has a warm, rich tone, a solid midrange, and a relatively subdued high end. It is also highly durable and attractive, with a reddish-brown color and a straight-grain pattern.
• African Mahogany (Khaya spp.): This type of mahogany is similar in appearance and tone to genuine mahogany but tends slightly lighter in color and weight. It has a warm, balanced tone with a strong midrange and is a popular choice for acoustic guitar backs, sides, and necks.
• Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum): Sapele is a mahogany-like wood sometimes used as a less expensive alternative to genuine mahogany. It has a similar warm tone with a strong midrange but can be slightly brighter and more punchy than genuine mahogany.
• Mahogany from other species: Several other types of mahogany are occasionally used for guitar construction, including Philippine mahogany (Shorea spp.) and Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni). These woods can have similar tonal characteristics to genuine mahogany but may be less readily available or more expensive.

Overall, mahogany is a versatile and popular tonewood for acoustic guitar construction, prized for its warm, rich tone and durability. The specific type of mahogany used can affect the tone and appearance of the guitar, so it’s essential to consider the characteristics of each type when choosing a guitar.

Rosewood:

Rosewood is a highly prized tonewood used to construct many musical instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, basses, and pianos. Despite its popularity, rosewood is now subject to strict regulations to protect the species from overharvesting and illegal trade. It has led to an increased interest in alternative tonewoods that can offer similar characteristics to rosewood but with more sustainable and ethical sourcing.

Features:

It is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars. Here are some of the key features and characteristics of rosewood as a tonewood:

• Tone: It is known for its rich, warm, and full-bodied tone with solid bass and midrange response. It is often used for the back and sides of guitars to enhance the low end and provide a balanced tone.
•  Durability: Rosewood is a dense and durable wood that is resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for guitar fretboards and bridges. It also has a stable structure that resists warping, which helps to maintain the guitar’s tone over time.
•  Weight: This relatively heavy wood can contribute to a guitar’s sustain and projection. However, this can also make the guitar feel heavier and less comfortable for some players.
•  Appearance: Rosewood has a distinctive, dark brown color with pronounced grain patterns ranging from straight to highly figured. Its natural beauty is often enhanced by a glossy finish, making it a popular choice for guitar backs and sides.
•  Cost: It is a premium tonewood and can be more expensive than other options. Additionally, strict regulations on the trade and harvest of rosewood have made it more challenging to source legally, driving up prices even further.

Overall, rosewood is a highly sought-after tonewood for acoustic guitars, prized for its rich, warm tone, durability, and attractive appearance. However, alternative tonewoods are becoming more popular for guitar construction due to their cost and sustainability concerns.

Types of Rosewood:

Several different species of rosewood are commonly used in the construction of acoustic guitars, each with unique properties and characteristics. Here are some of the most popular types of rosewood for guitar backs and sides:

• Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra): This is one of the most highly prized tonewoods for acoustic guitars due to its rich, complex tone with solid bass and midrange response. However, it is now subject to strict regulations on trade and harvesting and is rarely used in guitar construction due to its rarity and cost.
• Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia): is the most commonly used rosewood for guitar backs and sides. It has a warm, balanced tone with solid bass and midrange and is prized for its attractive appearance with dark brown color and pronounced grain patterns.
• Madagascar Rosewood (Dalbergia baroni): This species of rosewood is similar in appearance and tonal characteristics to Brazilian rosewood but is more sustainably sourced and less expensive. It has a rich, full-bodied tone with solid bass and midrange and is highly sought after by guitar makers and players.
• Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa): This type of rosewood is known for its striking appearance, with various colors from orange to dark brown and black streaks. It has a warm, complex tone with solid bass and midrange and is a popular choice for both guitar backs, sides, and fingerboards.
• African Rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma): Also known as Bubinga, this species of rosewood has a warm, bright tone with a strong midrange and high-end response. It is a heavy, dense wood with a distinctive reddish-brown color and attractive grain patterns.

Overall, rosewood is a versatile and highly valued tonewood for acoustic guitars, with each species offering unique tonal and visual characteristics. However, due to concerns about sustainability and legality, alternative tonewoods are becoming more popular for guitar construction.

Maple:

Maple is a hardwood tree species commonly used as a tonewood for musical instruments, particularly acoustic and electric guitars’ backs, sides, and necks. It is known for its bright, clear, and articulate tone with excellent projection and is favored by many guitarists for its versatility and dynamic range.

Features:

Maple is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars, valued for its bright, clear, and articulate tone with excellent projection and its attractive appearance and durability. Here are some of the key features and characteristics of maple as a tonewood:

• Tone: It is known for its bright, clear, articulate tone, high-end solid response, and excellent projection. It can add definition and clarity to a guitar’s sound, making it a popular choice for fingerstyle and flatpicking styles.
• Durability: Maple is a dense and hard wood that is resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for guitar necks, backs, and sides. It also has a stable structure that resists warping, which helps to maintain the guitar’s tone over time.
• Weight: It is a relatively light wood, can contribute to a guitar’s overall weight and balance. However, this can also make the guitar feel less substantial or resonant to some players.
• Appearance: Maple has a distinctive, light color, a tight, even grain pattern, and a smooth, delicate texture. It can also feature intricate figurings such as flame, quilt, or bird’s eye patterns, adding to its visual appeal.
• Cost: It is a widely available tonewood and is generally less expensive than more exotic options. However, high-grade figured maple can be expensive and often used for custom guitar builds or high-end instruments.

Maple is a versatile and highly regarded tonewood for acoustic guitars, prized for its bright, clear tone, durability, and attractive appearance. It is often combined with other tonewoods, such as spruce or mahogany, to achieve a balanced and dynamic sound.

Types of Maple:

Maple is a popular tonewood used in constructing acoustic guitars due to its bright, clear sound and attractive appearance. Several types of maple are commonly used for guitar construction, including:

• Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum): It is found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America and is known for its stunning figure and bright, clear tone. It is often used for the back and sides, as well as for necks and tops.
•  Hard Maple (Acer saccharum): Also known as sugar maple, this type of maple is found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. It is a dense hardwood that produces a bright, crisp sound and is often used for necks, backs, and sides.
•  European Maple (Acer platanoides): This type of maple is found in Europe and is known for its tight, uniform grain and bright sound. It is often used for backs and sides, as well as for necks and tops.
•  Curly Maple (Acer saccharum and Acer rubrum): This is a type of maple that has a distinctive “curly” or “flamed” pattern in the grain caused by irregular growth. It is highly prized for its appearance and is often used for backs and sides, as well as for necks and tops.
•  Birdseye Maple (Acer saccharum and Acer rubrum): It has small, circular “eyes” in the grain, caused by irregular growth. It is highly prized for its unique appearance and is often used for tops and necks.

Maple is a versatile tonewood used in various guitar construction applications. Its bright, clear sound and attractive appearance make it popular among guitar builders and players.

Cedar:

Cedar is also a popular tonewood used to construct musical instruments, mainly acoustic guitars. It is a softwood tree belonging to the genus Cedrus, native to mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and Western Asia. There are several species of cedar, including the Atlas cedar, the deodar cedar, the Lebanon cedar, and the western red cedar.

Features:

Some of the critical features of cedar that make it desirable for use in guitar construction include the following:

• Tone: Cedar produces a warm, mellow sound with a strong midrange and a relatively subdued high end. It is often compared to mahogany in tone but with a slightly more complex character.
• Responsiveness: Cedar is highly responsive to light fingerpicking and strumming, making it a popular choice for fingerstyle guitarists.
• Weight: Cedar is a relatively light wood, which can contribute to a guitar’s overall weight and balance. This can make it more comfortable to play for extended periods.
• Appearance: It has a rich, reddish-brown color with a tight, uniform grain pattern. It is often used for guitar tops due to its attractive appearance.
• Durability: While cedar is not as complicated or dense as some other tonewoods, it is still relatively durable and can withstand the rigors of regular playing and handling.

Types of Cedar:

Several types of cedar are commonly used as tonewoods for acoustic guitars due to their desirable acoustic properties. These include:

• Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata): Western red cedar is a softwood tree species commonly found in North America’s Pacific Northwest region. It is known for its warm, mellow tone, strong midrange, and relatively subdued high end. It is often used for guitar tops due to its attractive reddish-brown color and tight, uniform grain pattern.
• Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata): Spanish cedar is not a type of cedar but a mahogany family member. It is found in Central and South America and is known for its warm, sweet tone, strong midrange, and relatively bright high end. It is often used for guitar necks and backs due to its lightweight and attractive appearance.
• Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana): Port Orford cedar is a softwood tree species commonly found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is known for its bright, clear tone, strong midrange, and relatively bright high end. It is often used for guitar tops, backs, and sides due to its lightweight and attractive appearance.

Cedar is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars due to its warm, mellow tone, lightweight, and attractive appearance. Each cedar type has unique acoustic properties and visual characteristics, making it a popular choice for guitar builders and players.

Ebony:

Ebony is a dense and durable wood known for its dark black color and smooth, lustrous surface. It is a popular tonewood used in the construction of acoustic guitars. It is also popular for use in various applications, including furniture, flooring, and decorative objects.

Features:

Ebony is a popular tonewood used in the construction of acoustic guitars. Here are some of its key features:

• Density and Hardness: Ebony is a dense and hard wood, which makes it durable and resistant to wear and tear. It is ideal for use on the fretboard and bridge of a guitar, where it will see a lot of use.
• Tonality: It produces a bright, clear sound with excellent sustain and projection. Its density also helps to enhance the sustain and resonance of a guitar’s sound.
• Appearance: Ebony has a dark black color and a smooth, lustrous surface prized for its beauty. It is often used for decorative accents and inlays on guitars.
• Rarity and Expense: It is becoming increasingly rare and is now considered a threatened species in some parts of the world. As a result, it can be expensive and difficult to obtain.

Despite its rarity and expense, ebony remains a highly sought-after material for use in high-end acoustic guitars. Its tonal properties, durability, and beauty make it popular among guitar makers and players. However, due to its threatened status, many guitar makers are now turning to alternative tonewoods that offer similar properties to ebony.

Types of Ebony:

There are several types of Ebony, each with its unique characteristics. Here are some of the most popular types of Ebony used in the construction of acoustic guitars:

• African Ebony: It is the most commonly used Ebony in the guitar industry. It is native to several African countries and is known for its dense, black wood and uniform grain patterns.
• Macassar Ebony: It is native to Southeast Asia and is known for its distinctive striped or mottled appearance. It is a popular choice for decorative inlays on guitars.
• Gabon Ebony: This Ebony is native to Gabon, a country in Central Africa. It is known for its dense, black wood and delicate, uniform grain patterns.
• Mun Ebony: This type of Ebony is native to India and is known for its dark, almost purple color. It is a relatively rare type of Ebony and is prized for its unique appearance.
• Ceylon Ebony: This Ebony is native to Sri Lanka and is known for its deep, dark color and delicate, uniform grain patterns. It is a popular choice for use in decorative inlays on guitars.

Each type of Ebony has its unique characteristics and tonal properties. Still, they all share the dense, complex, and durable qualities that make Ebony a popular choice for constructing acoustic guitars.

Sapele:

Sapele is a popular tonewood used in the construction of acoustic guitars. It is a type of hardwood that is native to tropical regions of Africa, particularly the Congo Basin. Sapele is a member of the mahogany family and is sometimes referred to as “African mahogany.”

Features:

Sapele is a popular tonewood used in the construction of acoustic guitars. Here are some of its key features:

• Tonality: Sapele produces a warm, balanced sound with good sustain and projection. Its tonal profile resembles mahogany but with a slightly brighter high-end response.
• Durability: Sapele is a relatively complex and dense wood resistant to wear and tear. It makes it an ideal choice for constructing guitar bodies and necks.
• Appearance: Sapele has a rich, reddish-brown color and a distinctive interlocking grain pattern. It is an attractive wood often used for decorative accents and inlays on guitars.
• Sustainability: Sapele is a sustainable alternative to other tonewoods that are becoming increasingly rare or endangered, such as Brazilian rosewood. It makes it an eco-friendly choice for guitar makers and players.
• Affordability: Sapele is generally less expensive than some other high-end tonewoods, such as Brazilian rosewood or koa. It is a popular choice for mid-range and entry-level acoustic guitars.

Overall, sapele is a versatile and reliable tonewood well-suited for use in the construction of acoustic guitars. Its balanced tone, durability, attractive appearance, sustainability, and affordability make it popular among guitar makers and players.

Types of Sapele:

There are only one species of sapele, but there can be variations in the wood depending on where it is sourced. Here are some common types of sapele used in the construction of acoustic guitars:

• African Sapele: This is the most commonly used type of Sapele in the guitar industry. It is native to several countries in West Africa and is known for its rich, reddish-brown color and interlocking grain pattern.
• Khaya Sapele: This type of Sapele is native to the Ivory Coast and is sometimes called “Ivory Coast mahogany.” It has a similar appearance and tonal profile to African Sapele but with a slightly darker color and finer grain.
• Entandrophragma cylindricum: This rare and highly prized type of sapele is sometimes used to construct high-end acoustic guitars. It is native to Cameroon and has a distinctive red color and a pleasing, straight-grain pattern.

While there are variations in the appearance and tonal properties of different types of Sapele, they all share the warm, balanced sound and durability that make sapele a popular choice for use in the construction of acoustic guitars.

Walnut:

Walnut is a hardwood that is native to North America and is commonly utilized as a tonewood in the construction of acoustic guitars. The tree produces nuts that are commonly used in cooking and baking.

Features:

Walnut is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars with a warm, balanced tone and a distinctive grain pattern. Here are some of its key features:

• Tone: Walnut produces a warm, balanced tone with a strong midrange and good sustain. It is similar to mahogany but with a slightly brighter top end.
• Appearance: Walnut has a distinctive grain pattern with dark brown to purple-black streaks and lighter, beige-brown areas. It is often highly figured and can have a range of visual characteristics, from straight and uniform to highly figured with intricate swirls and patterns.
• Durability: Walnut is a complicated and durable wood that resists wear and tear, making it a popular choice for guitar backs and sides. It is also resistant to rot and decay.
• Workability: Walnut is a relatively easy wood to work with, as it is dense but not overly complex. It can be machined, sanded, and finished well and is often used for decorative inlay work.
• Availability: Walnut is widely available in many parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. It is not as expensive as other tonewoods, such as Brazilian rosewood or koa, making it a popular choice for mid-priced acoustic guitars.

It is a versatile tonewood that produces a warm, balanced tone and distinctive appearance. It is a popular choice for acoustic guitar backs and sides, as well as for decorative inlays and other design features.

Types of Walnut:

Several different types of walnut are commonly used in acoustic guitar construction. Here are a few of the most popular:

• Black Walnut: This is the most commonly used type of walnut in guitar construction. It has a rich, warm tone with good projection and sustains.
• Claro Walnut: This walnut variety is highly prized for its striking, highly figured grain patterns. It has a warm, balanced tone with a strong midrange.
• English Walnut: This type of walnut is less commonly used in guitar construction but has a warm, mellow tone similar to mahogany.
• Bastogne Walnut: This hybrid walnut species is a cross between the Claro and English walnut. It has a warm, full-bodied tone with good sustain and clarity.

Each type of walnut has its unique tonal characteristics and appearance, and guitar makers often choose a specific type based on the instrument’s desired sound and visual aesthetic.

KOA:

Koa is a type of wood native to Hawaii and is prized for its use in constructing high-end acoustic guitars, ukuleles, and other musical instruments. Koa belongs to the Acacia family and is scientifically known as Acacia koa.

Features:

Koa is a highly prized tonewood that is commonly used in the construction of high-end acoustic guitars. Here are some of its key features:

• Tone: It produces a warm, sweet tone with a strong midrange and bright top end. It is highly responsive and articulate, with good sustain and projection.

• Appearance: Koa has a striking, highly figured grain pattern that ranges from light to dark brown. It is known for its shimmering, chatoyant effect when viewed from different angles, and it often has a curly or quilted figure.
• Durability: It is a relatively hard and durable wood that resists wear and tear, making it a popular choice for guitar backs and sides. It is also resistant to rot and decay.
• Workability: Koa is a dense and challenging wood that machines and sands well. It is often used for decorative inlay work due to its highly figured grain.
• Availability: It is native to Hawaii and a limited resource due to its slow growth rate and protected status. it makes it a relatively expensive tonewood typically reserved for high-end guitars.

Overall, Koa is a highly sought-after tonewood prized for its beautiful appearance and warm, responsive tone. It is a popular choice for high-end acoustic guitars and is often used by top luthiers worldwide.

Conclusion – Which One is Right For Me?

Assessing your playing style is a good starting point when choosing the right tonewood for your acoustic guitar. Different tonewoods can produce different tones and characteristics, so it’s essential to consider your playing style and the type of music you intend to play.

If you’re a heavy strummer, tonewoods like mahogany or sapele can provide a warm and punchy tone with good projection. A spruce top can add clarity and brightness to the sound.

If you’re a fingerstyle player, tonewoods like cedar can provide a warm and responsive tone with a strong midrange. It can be particularly suited to classical and fingerstyle guitar playing.

However, trying out different guitars with different tonewoods is the best way to find the right fit for you. Each guitar will have its unique sound and feel, so it’s essential to take the time to find the one that speaks to you and suits your playing style and preferences.

FAQs – Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods Explained

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