Acoustic Guitar Body Tonewood Guide

Just like the tonewood selection manufacturers use in designing electric guitars, those used in acoustic guitar construction are equally as deliberate. So, what are some of the parameters that determine good tone? Harmonic content, sustain, and project are just a few of the elements to consider. This acoustic guitar body tonewood guide will go into the differentiators between the different types of woods used for acoustic guitar bodies, as well as anything else you need to know.

Acoustic guitar construction can be broken down into a few areas: The body, which is made up of the back and sides, the top (or soundboard), and the neck and fretboard. This acoustic guitar tonewood guide will take you through the most popular materials used in the construction of bodies, including the back, sides, and top.

Backs and Sides

Materials used for the body (back and sides) of acoustic guitars may not be quite as influential on the sound as the top, but it is nonetheless important. And just like with electric guitars, wood selection for tops generally differs (but remains complementary) from those used for back and side materials.

Mahogany

Mahogany has been used for backs and sides in acoustic guitar building for almost a century. Most, if not all, of the fabulous pre-World War II guitars from Gibson and Martin made it popular. The tone changes over time as it ages extremely well, resulting in the evolution of pleasant overtones. This adds character and color to the sound. Mahogany has phenomenal low end and low midrange response, and it looks just as good as it sounds. It is darker sounding, but has a little more attack than rosewood.

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Koa

Well known in ukulele lutherie, Koa is an indigenous Hawaiian wood. It isn’t cheap, which is why you’ll often find it on more expensive guitars. Taylor is really the only large manufacturer that uses it on a wide range of models. Aesthetically, it is quite beautiful with a gorgeous tone to boot. Initially it is very bright, but as it is played in it mellows out. This provides a crystalline top end with solid bottom. Being that it is so bright it is very popular among fingerstyle guitarists.

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Rosewood

One of the most popular tonewoods in acoustic, as well as electric, guitar construction. There are two main types: the rare (and endangered) Brazilian variety, and the East Indian type. Due to environmental regulations East Indian is the type commonly used these days. The two varieties have visual differences, but tonally are very similar. Rosewood has a a darker quality with a sweet high end, with tight lows and a bit of a dip in the midrange but is generally even response across the frequency spectrum.

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Maple

Maple isn’t as common in acoustic guitars as it is in electric guitars. Its appearance can be breathtaking, with unique grain patterns. There are three main types: birdseye, quilted, and flamed each with their own unique look. It is quite dense and provides a fast decay. It’s also very bright and focused without much overtone material – which means there is excellent separation to the notes.

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Sapele

Sapele is an African tonewood that is very similar to mahogany in sight and sound. It has the tight low end and midrange pronunciation of mahogany, but it also has more high end.

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Walnut

Walnut and koa have a lot in common, and in fact walnut is a popular alternative. It’s easier to work with as well as source, leading to a more affordable price point. It’s a dark, dense wood with a shiny high end. As for the midrange, tonally it falls between mahogany and rosewood. Conversely, it has a stronger low end and low midrange than koa, and just as well the tone mellows as it ages.

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Tops

The sounding board, also known as the top, is the most critical factor in the overall tone of an acoustic guitar. It affects the fundamental, attack, and articulation of the sound.

Spruce

This is by far the most common tonewood used for tops. The reason for this is it is very versatile and not only pairs well with other tonewoods – it works well for every style of guitar playing. The most common species are Sitka, Adirondack, and European. Visually it ranges from light brown to a creamy white.

Its dynamic range is very wide with few overtones. This makes for a consistent sound with good attack. Some find it to be lacking a little something, but this lack of harmonic complexity is what allows it to pair well with other woods. It also has a good amount of volume, another reason it is so commonly used for the sounding board.

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