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Guitar Tonewood 101

Beauty is more than skin deep when it comes to wood. The wood chosen for the top, sides, and back gives each guitar that I make it's own distinct tone and flavor. I purchase only high-quality wood from reputable suppliers then store it carefully in a controlled humidity environment for at least 2 years before using it to make guitars. Some of my stock is now over 10 years old; a few sets are well over 20 years old. I firmly believe aged wood makes guitars with fuller bodied, matured tone.  I support intelligent conservation and do not purchase any wood that I suspect, or know has been harvested outside of the law or even responsible conservation practice.

The photos below are representative of the wood species itself and are not identical to any stock I have presently.


Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra)  This is the 'Real Deal', the 'Big Kahuna' of tonewood. Most serious guitarists will tell you that acoustic guitars made with Brazilian Rosewood  have tone that is unmatched by other woods. The wood is protected by the CITES treaty of 1973. Most mass-production builders stopped using Brazilian Rosewood prior to 1970 because supplies had grown scarce. Legal importation of this fine wood is limited to trees felled prior to the treaty, so much of the wood available today is from reclaimed stumps.  The prices for Brazilian have skyrocketed such that I've seen sets selling for upwards of $1,000 for the wood alone.

I have built with this wood and I have to admit that the tone is almost magical. One of my own personal guitars is a Brazilian OM style. I still have a couple beautiful pre-ban old sets and have recently purchased a few more CITES certified sets.


Madagascar Rosewood (Dalbergia Bararoni)  I have found Madagascar Rosewood to be a fine tonewood that both looks and sounds incredibly similar to Brazilian Rosewood. It has the same resonant lows, rich highs and balanced mid-range for a full-bodied sound. If this were a wine this would be a fine French Bordeaux! I have a few beautifully figured sets in stock purchased from responsible suppliers before illegal logging became rampant.


Cocobolo Rosewood (Dalbergia Restusa)  Cocobolo is a true rosewood and stunning tonewood and amazingly dense. It has the same resonant lows, rich highs and balanced mid-range for a full-bodied sound but does seem to take longer to 'break-in' and mature. It does weigh more than Madagascar and Indian Rosewood. If this were a wine this would be a Red Zinfandel! Current supplies are stable and reports are that the trees are being harvested responsibly. I have some great sets in stock.


Honduran Rosewood (Dalbergia Stevensonii)  This is another great alternative to Brazilian Rosewood with a wonderful full-bodied sound and lower weight than Cocobolo.

 
Ziricote (Cordia Dedocandra)  Ziricote is one of the most striking woods I have ever seen and it's not part of the rosewood (Dalgerbia) family. It looks more like a sedimentary-type rock like marble than wood. The tone does not disappoint either. I personally think the tone of this wood is very similar to Magagascar Rosewood. It is quite pricey and tough to get compared to the other woods but easier to get than Brazilian Rosewood. I have both standard and exhibition grades in stock.



Brazilian Cherry (Hymenaea Courbaril)  This is a wood I'm really excited about. The tone is much like Indian Rosewood but with a slightly sweeter character. If this were a wine it would be Boujelais. It is fairly hard to get and is most commonly available without figure.  Occasionally my supplier does come across from fiddleback pieces like that shown above. I currently have back and side sets in stock with and without figure.
Bocote (Cordia Gerascanthus) I actually have not not yet built with this wood but am very excited about doing so. This Mexico-native wood has a distinctive look with streaks of gold, brown, and back. The tap tone is approaching that of Indian Rosewood. I have limited amounts of this tonewood in stock.




 Curly Maple (Acer Saccharum)  If Brazilian and Madagascar Rosewood is akin to a fine full-bodied Bordeaux then curly maple is like a crisp Chablis. This is a workhouse tonewood that is ideal for those players wanting crisp clear highs cutting through above the rest. It is my number one choice for my archtop guitars and mandolins. Teamed with a cedar top, the tone is tempered, more balanced and a wonderful choice for finger-picking. I currently have some great sets in stock with wonderful figure.

The species is plentiful, the cost reasonable, and the exceptional quality is available from my current stock. Birdseye maple sounds identical and has it's own beauty. It is typically difficult to find however and often very expensive.



Hawaiian Koa (Acacia Koa)  This beautiful tonewood is like a fine dessert wine; think White Zinfandel! The color and rippling figure is beautiful to behold and the tone is sweet, almost harp-like. This wood is a strummer's delight. It typically starts out very bright and as the guitar ages, the tone matures and becomes warmer and more balanced.  Koa is my #1 choice for a rich sounding 12-string.
 



Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia Sissoo)  Indian Rosewood is amazing for it's versatility, predictability, and consistency in tone. It is to acoustic guitar tonewood what a Californian Cabernet is to wine. I do believe that it takes a while to break in and will sound better and better as it's played more and more. No surprises here; just great balanced tone. I always keep sets on hand.


Pau Ferro (Caesalpinia Echinata)  Also known as "Bolivian Rosewood," this tonewood looks similar to Brazilian Rosewood except for its chocolate brown coloring. The wood is less than other true rosewoods with the result being a rich mid-range and surprising bass.  Think Californian Merlot!. I believe that this beautiful wood is best paired with Sitka or Adirondack Spruce for enriched highs. I have some beautiful sets in stock that feature sapwood.

Other woods: I have stocked and/or built with other woods including but not limited to African Blackwood, Malaysian Blackwood, Wenge, Striped Macassar Ebony, Padauk, Claro Walnut and others. They are each fine choices in their own right with tonal qualities that are less familiar and great choices for the musician looking for something different.