Tone wood is a term that is used to describe the wood with acoustic qualities that is used in guitar construction. While tone wood can refer to the top, back, and side plates of a guitar it is most often used to refer to the top wood used on a guitar. The reason for this is that most of a guitar's sound quality comes from the top of the instrument. The type and quality of wood plays a major role in the sound of the instrument as does the bracing pattern and the quality of construction. Read on to learn what to look for in a quality top tone wood for your guitar project.
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.
Growth Rings Are Important
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
The stiffer the top, the better quality the guitar top. If you follow the advice listed above, chances are you will have a stiff top. If possible, pick up the top and try to flex it parallel to the grain. It should not feel spongy or like cardboard. Guitar top wood that isn't stiff enough will not provide clear highs notes and low notes will be overpowering.
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.
Consider Wood 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.
Growth Rings Are Important
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
The stiffer the top, the better quality the guitar top. If you follow the advice listed above, chances are you will have a stiff top. If possible, pick up the top and try to flex it parallel to the grain. It should not feel spongy or like cardboard. Guitar top wood that isn't stiff enough will not provide clear highs notes and low notes will be overpowering.
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.
Consider Wood 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:
Ultimate Guitar Online is your source for the very best guitar tonesoundboardss available anywhere. In addition to tonesoundboardss, GLSS also offers guitar plans and a wide range of other luthier tools.. Also published at What Is Tonewood.
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