Guitar Fender Squier
Best Acoustic Guitar Woods
Have you ever wondered what are 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 might help to shed some light on the subject.
I discovered that the dynamic response of your acoustic guitar, and the sound it creates, are determined by the density of woods used and the overall construction of the instrument itself.
Makes perfect 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 your particular acoustic guitar.
Perhaps you've noticed this yourself if you have ever compared the sound of one guitar with another. For instance, one guitar sounds bright and clear, another warm and mellow.
Many guitarists understand that Sitka Spruce is the most common of the woods used for building the facial skin (top) of an acoustic guitar. This wood's high velocity creates a bright, clear tone with a broad dynamic response.
Red Spruce alternatively, is heavier. It's grain is the stiffest of all the top woods useful for building acoustic guitars. This particular characteristic produces the highest volume with more intricate overtones. That's probably why it's 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 ideal 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, because of the high demand for this product the Brazillian Rosewood tree has developed into a threatened species and is now being protected. This obviously helps to make the wood more scarce and harder to come by.
But difficult circumstances could be the mother of invention- which leads me to one of the coolest things I learned while doing my research about guitar woods...
The Martin Guitar Company has evolved a new guitar model that's specifically designed to help protect the environment. It's the Martin DCE Dreadnaught Cutaway Acoustic-Electric. Needless to say, it is not cheap, but it is innovative and admirable on the part for taking this kind of initiative in the first place. Read their own words...
"The real star of the guitar is the quality that sustainable wood provides for the guitar. Sustainable wood is planted and harvested by ethical means as not to promote erosion and sustain the ecosystem because it is in it's environment. It's no surprise among the original proponents and users of your DCE is Trey Anastasio of Phish as well as other environmentally conscious musicians."
All I can say is two thumbs up for your Martin Company!
Other woods that are also used for the back and sides are Mahogany, Maple and sometimes Cherry.
Mahogany is denser than those previously mentioned. It has lower sound velocity but creates a solid tone.
Maple also has lower sound velocity and will be somewhat dull when used like a top for an acoustic guitar. On the other hand, the grain is particularly attractive when useful for the back. Be aware that beauty and adornment are added features which will drive the price higher. Maple responds well when amplified and therefore it's a popular option for solid-bodied electric guitars.
I didn't investigate the specs on Cherry wood, but as it's not as common, I assume it would be more expensive.
The bridge is yet another important factor to consider when purchasing an acoustic guitar. Some would even say it is the most important because the vibrations produced from strumming the strings are transmitted from 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.
Especially, try to stay away from laminated wood guitars while they will crack and separate under certain conditions. To make your choice simpler, I propose sticking with reputable firms that you know and trust including Martin, Yamaha, Gibson, Takamine, and Taylor, etc. If you do decide to go with a custom built guitar, make sure you know very well what you're paying for. Always look for sound quality and playability first; beauty last. Like that you will have years of enjoyment playing a guitar you truly love.
Just thought you may be interested in reading this guide: best acoustic guitar and acoustic guitar reviews.
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