Guitar Dave Grohl

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 at 8:30 am

Best Acoustic Guitar Woods

Have you ever wondered what the best woods for an acoustic guitar might be? I am not a luthier, but I recently did a little research of my own which can help to shed some light about the subject.

I discovered that the dynamic response of your acoustic guitar, and the sound it makes, are determined by the density of woods used and the overall construction from the instrument itself.

Makes sense, right? But were you aware that sound travels faster through some woods and slower through others? This little phenomenon effects the entire tone, or "color" of a particular acoustic guitar.

Perhaps you've noticed this yourself have you ever compared the sound of one guitar with another. For instance, one guitar sounds bright and clear, one other warm and mellow.

Many guitarists realize that Sitka Spruce is the most common from the woods used for building the face (top) of an acoustic guitar. This wood's high velocity produces a bright, clear tone that has a broad dynamic response.

Red Spruce on the other hand, is heavier. It's grain will be the stiffest of all the top woods employed for building acoustic guitars. This particular characteristic produces the greatest volume with more intricate overtones. That's probably why it's really a favorite choice for steel-string acoustic guitar players. All you Bluegrass guitarists available know you can really get down and rip it!

Brazillian Rosewood has often been considered well suited for the sides and back of your acoustic guitar. Not only does it produce rich tones, natural reverb qualities and wonderful clarity, it also has a beautiful appearance. However, as a result of high demand for this product the Brazillian Rosewood tree has become a threatened species and it is now being protected. This obviously makes the wood more scarce and harder to come by.

But difficult circumstances can be the mother of invention- that leads me to one from the coolest things I learned while doing my research about guitar woods...

The Martin Guitar Company has developed a new guitar model which is specifically designed to help protect the environment. It's the Martin DCE Dreadnaught Cutaway Acoustic-Electric. Needless to say, it's not cheap, but it is innovative and admirable on their own part for taking this kind of initiative in the first place. Read their very own words...

"The real star with this guitar is the quality that sustainable wood provides for the guitar. Sustainable wood is planted and harvested by ethical means as to not promote erosion and sustain the ecosystem since it is in it's surrounding. It's no surprise one of many original proponents and users of a DCE is Trey Anastasio of Phish along with other environmentally conscious musicians."

All I will say is two thumbs up for your Martin Company!

Other woods which are also used for the rear and sides are Mahogany, Maple and quite often Cherry.

Mahogany is denser than others previously mentioned. It has lower sound velocity but produces a solid tone.

Maple also has lower sound velocity and can be somewhat dull when used being a top for an acoustic guitar. On the other hand, the grain is particularly attractive when employed for the back. Be aware that beauty and adornment are added features that will drive the price higher. Maple responds well when amplified and so it's a popular selection for solid-bodied electric guitars.

I didn't research the specs on Cherry wood, but since it is not as common, I reckon that it would be more expensive.

The bridge is yet another important factor to consider when purchasing an acoustic guitar. Some would even say oahu is the most important because the vibrations produced from strumming the strings are transmitted through the bridge into the sound chamber. After that it bounces around inside the guitar and comes out the sound hole.

A good bridge will be made of hard woods including Ebony, Rosewood, or Ash.

Most importantly, try to stay away from laminated wood guitars as they will crack and separate under certain conditions. To produce your choice simpler, I suggest sticking with reputable companies that you know and trust including Martin, Yamaha, Gibson, Takamine, and Taylor, etc. If you do decide to go with a custom made guitar, make sure you understand what you're paying for. Generally look for sound quality and playability first; beauty last. This way you will have years of enjoyment playing a musical instrument you truly love.

Just thought you may well be interested in reading this guide: best acoustic guitar and acoustic guitar reviews.
Dave Grohl Interview with Guitar World

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