African Mahogany |
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When used for back and sides on a guitar, mahogany has
relatively high velocity of sound, which contributes much
overtone coloration. Mahogany guitars sound more wood-like.
The harder, denser examples of these woods can take also
on the characteristics of the rosewoods. Mahogany back
and sides tends to emphasize the bass and the treble.
Mahogany necks help to create a warmer, more "woody"
tonal range. The same holds true when mahogany is used
as bridge material.
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One
of the most common materials, its high stiffness combined
with the lightweight characteristics of most softwoods,
makes it a natural for high velocity of sound. A strong
fundamental-to-overtone ratio gives Sitka spruce a powerful
direct tone capable of retaining its clarity when played
forcefully. This makes Sitka an excellent choice for top
wood for players whose style demands a wide dynamic response
and a robust, meaty tone. |
Engelmann Spruce |
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North
American solid Engelmann Spruce is a beautiful rich, creamy
soundboard wood. Spruce enhances volume and has clear high-end
articulation. Engelmann adds a brilliant complex overtone
structure. Widely regarded as the best top a guitar can
get and used on our award winning 400 Series. |
Canadian Cedar |
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Cedar
has a darker colouration to spruce and can have a reddish
tint. This wood is highly responsive to light playing and
finger styles, responding with volume to a softer attack,
for this reason it is most commonly found in guitars with
smaller bodies, classical guitars and folk guitars. Cedar
is most notable for its response to open and lowered tunings.
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Canadian Maple |
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Maple,
as a result of its greater weight and lower sound velocity,
can be downright flat sounding, a blessing in disguise when
a guitar is amplified at high sound pressure levels. This
is why maple is the wood of choice for electric guitar tops.
Maple necks can impart a bright "poppy" tone that
can do much to reinforce the top end of a large-bodied guitar
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African Rosewood |
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African
Rosewood can be found on our 400 & 500 Series Back and
Sides. It is known for high sound velocity and broad range
of overtones, strength and complexity in the bottom end
and an overall darkness of tone in the rest of the range.
Strong mids and highs also contribute a richness of tone
to the upper registers. Indian rosewood has a thicker, more
midrange overall coloration. |
Ebony |
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Ebony,
the material found on the fingerboards and bridges of our
highly acclaimed 500 Series, has the lowest velocity of
sound of all the woods commonly used and has definite damping
characteristics. While not a problem for large-bodied guitars
made of red spruce or Brazilian rosewood, it may be something
to consider when designing smaller guitars, particularly
those using less resonant tonewoods for tops and backs. |
