Introduction to Common Woods Used in Guitar Making

This is a relatively boring article, which is purely a list of trivial items. Let's take a look at it for now. Quan should further add an understanding of the guitar itself, which is also of great benefit to the development of personal cultivation.

When many beginners buy a guitar, they will find that different woods are used in different structural parts of the guitar, mainly considering the optimization of the acoustic structure and the needs of the physical structure.

It is important to understand the tonal properties of the following woods and their uses.

Cedar: Cedar is a soft wood that emphasizes the upper register and is a perfect match for light playing techniques. For this reason, it is mainly used on classical guitars and fingerstyle acoustic guitars, often on guitar tops, but also on backs and sides.

Ebony (ebony): A household name for its common use in pianos. Ebony is an excellent acoustic guitar fretboard material. Ebony has a firm and smooth feel, which is why many players prefer this fingerboard material.

Acacia (Koa): Acacia is a unique golden wood from Hawaii. Tonal-wise, it is similar to mahogany, with more emphasis on the mid-range of the spectrum. Acacia wood is generally used in more expensive acoustic guitar tops, backs and sides. After all, it is a relatively rare and precious wood, so the materials will be more conservative and cautious.

Mahogany: On acoustic guitars, mahogany is most often used on the back and sides, and occasionally on the top. When used on the back and sides of an acoustic guitar, Mahogany adds crackling and common push to the mid-range of the spectrum, while reducing the hum of the Dreadnought body. As a panel, mahogany emphasizes the high end of the spectrum. Mahogany is also used on the necks and bridges of acoustic guitars.

Maple: Maple tends to produce high-frequency tones, and in acoustic guitars, maple is often used for backs and sides, allowing the top to produce its natural tone without interfering with the rendering of the rest of the cabinet.

Ovengkol (ovangkol): Ovangkol is an African wood that is increasingly used by acoustic guitar makers, mainly for the back and sides of acoustic guitars. The timbre of Liguicum is similar to the warmth of rosewood with the sparkling midrange of mahogany or acacia.

Rosewood (rosewood, rosewood): Rosewood is commonly used for the back and sides of acoustic guitars, as well as the fingerboard and bridge. Due to the dwindling availability of Brazilian rosewood and the resulting higher cost, Indian rosewood has taken its place in the market. Although they look slightly different, they are basically the same sound. When used on guitar backs and sides, rosewood provides warm low frequencies, enhanced mids, and added resonance.

Sapele: Sapele is another African wood species that is often used in the manufacture of acoustic guitars. Sapele, known as African Mahogany, is often used for the back and sides of acoustic guitars. Like mahogany, it increases the midrange and overall reflection of the panel.

Spruce: Spruce is the wood most commonly used for the top of an acoustic guitar. Although there are many varieties of spruce (eg Engelmann, Sitka, German), it is often only the more expensive acoustic guitars that specify the species used. Spruce wood is lightweight and strong, making it easy for guitar craftsmen to work with. Tonal, the spruce wood resonates well and provides good sustain and clarity.

Walnut: Walnut is often used as an alternative to mahogany in acoustic guitar bodies. Its tonal performance is similar to that of mahogany, focusing on the mids and enhancing the reflections of the panel tone.

The editor of Joseph.com would like to remind everyone that many piano companies use more expensive woods such as spruce for the top of the guitar introduction, but the price is relatively low. This situation is very common, and our beginners are also easy to be deceived. fooled. Joseph.com maintains a cautious attitude when labeling materials, and there will never be false labeling. We hope to be responsible for all users.

The choice of wood plays a decisive role in the sound of a guitar. You can still read this article roughly, at least you have a general understanding of the materials used for the guitar.