subject: Exotic Hardwoods Uses In Guitar-making [print this page] You can differentiate a well-made guitar from a cheap and poorly-made guitar easily just by looking at the materials that make up the top, back, and sides of the instrument. A cheap guitar will be made from manufactured composite woods or layers of engineered wood glued together. A finely crafted guitar will have a soundboard, back, and sides made from solid pieces of hand-selected wood. Solid woods offer more durability and resonance than a composite guitar. Also, the tones of a solid wood guitar will improve as the wood ages. Listed below are some of the best exotic woods used in the construction of the back and sides of a fine guitar.
Mahogany
This beautiful lightweight dark wood with a strong grain structure is one of the most sought after materials for guitarists. For a player who wants an instrument with a rich and warm tone, mahogany's characteristics create a perfect sound. Mahogany has a straight grain free of pockets and a characteristic reddish-brown color. Mahogany typically originates in one of three places: West India, Cuba, and Honduras.
Maple
Another beautiful tone wood for guitar-making is maple. One of the biggest factors in choosing a maple variety for guitar material is the grain of the maple. Some of the most popular are quilted maple, fiddleback maple, and tiger maple. Each variety has its own distinct grain pattern that can be a beautiful addition to a guitar. Most maple guitars have a brighter tone than a guitar made of mahogany.
Rosewood
Although one of the darker hued woods, rosewood is an exotic hardwood with a darker brown hue than the reddish-brown color of mahogany. The two most commonly known types of rosewood are East Indian and Brazilian. East Indian became a popular alternative to Brazilian rosewood when the government of Brazil put a stop to the export of Brazilian rosewood. Since that time, Brazilian rosewood has become the most highly coveted wood in guitar making because of its rarity.
Hawaiian Koa
This beautifully grained wood is another tonewood that produces a rich, warm tone similar to mahogany. The grain of koa wood is highly praised for its iridescent shimmer and beautiful golden brown color. Because of its beauty in both sound and appearance, koa has been a favored wood in Hawaii and used in the construction of instruments, furniture, canoes, paddles, etc. Unfortunately, the result is this is a scarcity of the wood.
