Tonewood isn't really any special kind of wood. It's just a word that is used to describe wood that is used in the construction of guitars. Wood that is used in guitar building generally has acoustic properties that will provide a high quality sound, or tone, when the guitar is built - hence the term tone wood. This term can be used to describe the back, sides, or top of a guitar but is most often used to describe the top wood of the instrument. The bottom line is that the type of wood you choose for your guitar's top will play a major role in the overall sound of your finished instrument. Read on to learn how to select a high quality top tonewood for your guitar.
Quartersawn Wood
There are a variety of ways that wood can be sawn. When you are purchasing wood for a guitar building project, you want to use only quartersawn wood. This is wood that has been sawn into quarters lengthwise. When you are looking at wood, try to purchase only wood that limits the grain to a maximum of 20 degrees off vertical. Quartersawn wood will provide more stiffness than other options.
Count Growth Rings
Ideally, you want a guitar top with a high number of growth rings. Growth rings are counted per inch and the best top tone woods will have at least 20 growth rings per inch. If you are building on a budget you can go as low as 12 per inch but don't use guitar top wood with less growth rings than 12.
Choose a Stiff Top
Stiff tops will provide better sound quality that tops that are mushy or easily bendable. A high number of growth rings and quartersawn wood will help to ensure you are getting a stiff top, as will buying wood from a reputable dealer. However, you can also pick up your soundboard and try to flex it parallel to the grain to check the stiffness.
Tap Tone is Important
What the heck is a tap tone? This is a simple test you can do when you are looking at tone wood for your guitar. Pick up one half of the top wood set. Hold it between your thumb and index finger and allow the wood to hang freely from your hand. Use the knuckle of your index finger from the other hand and rap the wood. You want to hear a bell like sound that is clear and has some sustain. You want a soundboard that will vibrate freely.
What About Species
Wood species is a very important consideration as it will affect the sound and appearance of your finished guitar. Most builders, including large companies, choose to use either a species of Red Cedar or Sitka Spruce for guitar wood tops. Both of these woods provide excellent sound quality and a good degree of stiffness. Keep in mind as you look at the different grades of tone woods available that the grades affect the appearance of the tone wood more than the sound.
Quartersawn Wood
There are a variety of ways that wood can be sawn. When you are purchasing wood for a guitar building project, you want to use only quartersawn wood. This is wood that has been sawn into quarters lengthwise. When you are looking at wood, try to purchase only wood that limits the grain to a maximum of 20 degrees off vertical. Quartersawn wood will provide more stiffness than other options.
Count Growth Rings
Ideally, you want a guitar top with a high number of growth rings. Growth rings are counted per inch and the best top tone woods will have at least 20 growth rings per inch. If you are building on a budget you can go as low as 12 per inch but don't use guitar top wood with less growth rings than 12.
Choose a Stiff Top
Stiff tops will provide better sound quality that tops that are mushy or easily bendable. A high number of growth rings and quartersawn wood will help to ensure you are getting a stiff top, as will buying wood from a reputable dealer. However, you can also pick up your soundboard and try to flex it parallel to the grain to check the stiffness.
Tap Tone is Important
What the heck is a tap tone? This is a simple test you can do when you are looking at tone wood for your guitar. Pick up one half of the top wood set. Hold it between your thumb and index finger and allow the wood to hang freely from your hand. Use the knuckle of your index finger from the other hand and rap the wood. You want to hear a bell like sound that is clear and has some sustain. You want a soundboard that will vibrate freely.
What About Species
Wood species is a very important consideration as it will affect the sound and appearance of your finished guitar. Most builders, including large companies, choose to use either a species of Red Cedar or Sitka Spruce for guitar wood tops. Both of these woods provide excellent sound quality and a good degree of stiffness. Keep in mind as you look at the different grades of tone woods available that the grades affect the appearance of the tone wood more than the sound.
About the Author:
Georgia Luthier Supply is your source for the best and most affordable guitar tonetonesoundboardss available anywhere. In addition to tonesoundboardss, GLSS also offers guitar plans and a wide range of other luthier tools.. Also published at All About Guitar Tone Wood.
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