subject: Guitar Making and the Types of Wood Used [print this page] Guitar Making and the Types of Wood Used Guitar Making and the Types of Wood Used
This comes down to several reasons - one of the foremost is that a guitar maker's choice of wood significantly affects the way any completed guitar sounds. While it is true that the shape of a guitar, how it is put together and other such considerations that can be learned at a training institution are exceedingly important sound-wise, the acoustic quality of the wood itself is also a major factor. Such characteristics as the amount of moisture the wood contains (the lesser the better) and the way it channels vibrations are extremely important factors in any guitar maker's choice of wood.
Certain kinds of wood, called 'tonewoods,' are known in the guitar making industry for their ability to transmit sound, and can positively contribute to the overall sound of the instrument. Some examples of renowned tonewoods are Brazilian rosewood, maple and various kinds of mahogany. Different kinds of tonewoods can be used in different parts of a guitar, from the top, back and sides to the soundboard. As taught by master luthiers, varying combinations will result in various tones and timbres.
Another important consideration is cost and/or availability. Brazilian rosewood and other highly regarded kinds of wood such as yew and Maccasar ebony are sourced from species that are very rare, and thus it may be hard and/or expensive for guitar makers to use these sorts of wood. Other kinds of wood whose tonal qualities are also excellent, such as East Indian rosewood, alder and ash, are more readily available and can be less expensive, and so are quite popular in guitar making as well. Taking courses at a reputable guitar building school can help would-be luthiers maximize the tonal characteristics of different wood, making the most of each type's unique qualities.
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Musicians Institute is aguitar making school without par in the industry. Having started out as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in 1977, a dedicatedguitar school and the first of its kind, it has an unparalleled tradition of offering nothing but the best guitar education, and continues to do so to this day. Please visit MI.edu or call 800-255-7529 for more information.
