Which are the best tonewoods to look for when buying a guitar?

Wood is one of the largest determining factors of a guitar’s sound and durability. The woods which are used to build guitars, are often referred to as tonewoods and are selected for their resonant tonal properties. These woods are not primarily chosen for cosmetic reasons, but instead are intentionally selected to give the guitar a specific sound.

The luthiers (guitar makers) at Takamine believe that the wood chosen for the top (the front of the body) is the single most important factor in determining the quality of tone of the instrument. Guitar tops are either solid (one piece of wood) or laminated (constructed from multiple layers). Solid tops are generally more expensive, but deliver greater resonance and projection, resulting in a louder and clearer sound. Another benefit of solid top guitars is that the tone often improves with age. Laminated veneer tops resonate less than solid wood because they are made from several thin plies of wood pressed together which absorbs more of the sound. However, they are cheaper and stronger which makes them a good choice for children.

The wood used in construction can take on different characteristics depending on which part of the guitar it is used for. The wood used for the neck and fretboard can also enhance or constrain the tone of the guitar as well as it’s playability.

Mahogany is primarily used for the for back and sides of acoustic guitars. It is the most popular hardwood due to it’s relative low-cost, durability, attractiveness, and resonance. It has considerable density compared to other woods. Mahogany-topped guitars have a strong “punchy” tone that is well suited to country blues playing and produces a solid tone with low overtone content. When used for back and sides, mahogany creates great overtone coloration. The response of rosewood is often described as ‘quick’ meaning that it is extremely dynamic, while the tone is very warm and rounded with an emphasis on the mid range. Mahogany used in the guitar neck produces a warm natural tonal range.

Koa is a dense tonewood which comes from Hawaii and has been used for soundboards since the 1920s. This hardwood produces a solid tone that responding best at the upper end of the dynamic range Koa has a somewhat more mid-range tone with the warmth of rosewood and much of the brightness of Mahogany. For back and sides, Koa tends to exhibit the same characteristics as mahogany in terms of adding tonal colouration, but it’s emphasis lies with solid, pronounced mid tones, beautiful lows and well defined, but not sparkling, highs. This wood responds very well to firmer playing.

Rosewood has a beautiful range of brown and purple colours and makes a warm rich sounding guitar with great resonance and volume. Brazilian rosewood is no longer available in commercial quality or quantity and commands a high price. It has been replaced in most cases by Indian rosewood. Both types of rosewood carry a broad range of overtones offering full bass, defined but warm mids, and punchy highs. Rosewood is very highly regarded as a tonewood for building acoustic guitars. Indian rosewood has a thicker, more mid-range overall coloration. Brazilian has better clarity in the bottom and a almost bell like tone in the trebles. When used for necks, Indian rosewood can help fatten up the mid-range.

Spruce is the most commonly used wood for the soundboard or ‘top’ of the guitar. It’s stiff, yet light characteristics give it a bright, clear tone. The most commonly used species being Sitka Spruce. This wood, which comes from the west coast of the United States and Canada, makes a very strong, loud guitar which has a balanced resonant sound with good sustain. Whilst not capable of retaining its clarity when played with a light touch, Sitka is an excellent choice for top wood for players whose style demands a wide dynamic response and a robust, meaty tone. Sitka shows a very strong tendency to improve with age, perhaps more than other woods. Red spruce, like Sitka, is has a strong fundamental mixed with complex overtones. The top produces high volume whilst retaining a full, rich tone which retains clarity when played lightly and forcefully. This is one of the top woods for acoustic steel-string guitars and is generally found in the more expensive range of acoustic guitars.

Maple is a hugely popular wood for necks and fretboards and is the wood of choice for electric guitar tops. It is also used for the back and sides of some Takamine acoustic guitars. It’s tonal characteristics exhibit clear upper mid range and high frequencies along with a tight, focused output and good sustain. It has the same density as hard ash, but is much easier to finish due to it’s tight grain. Hard Maple is tough on factory tools so it’s generally used for slimmer guitars. It really shouts with bright highs and strong upper mid-range.

Different species of maple, such as big leaf, sugar, and bear-claw tend to be used for acoustic guitars. This nature of the wood allows the tonal characteristic of the top to be heard without the addition of significant tonal colouration. Maple necks can impart a bright tone helping to emphasise the top end of a large-bodied guitar.

Alder is a highly resonant lightweight wood Similar to Basswood, producing full rich tones. When used for solid-body construction, alder provides a very good low end and midrange with the best performance in the lower mid range. Alder also exhibits good high-end characteristics and sustain.

Basswood is mostly found oninexpensive guitars. It is a soft, lightweight tonewood, which is easy to work with in the factory, easy to cut, sand and finish. It’s softness tends to dampen sharp highs and soften them. The softness of Basswood also often results in a weaker low end which suppresses the resonance of the sub-lows. The reduction in these outer frequencies leaves the mids pronounced in a hypothetical response curve.

Sapele is a dense tonewood with a look similar to mahogany, but with a very distinctive striped grain. Being relatively dense, the sound of Sapele is crisp, clear and bright while retaining a good level of warmth in the lower ends and lower mids. This type of wood is mainly used for the back and sides.

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Nigel Wiggins -
About the Author:

Nigel Wiggins is a experienced musican and registered with the Registry of Guitar Tutors.

http://www.takamineguitardeals.com/

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Article Tags:
guitar, tonewood, solid top, neck, back, sides, fretboard, takamine, spruce, maple, mahogany, rosewood, sapele

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