Guitar Wood

Buying an Acoustic guitar
The first step to learning to play the guitar is to buy a quality instrument. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money to find a guitar that will give you years of service and a good sound. There are several makes and models of guitars that can be found on a budget that produce a round even tone. Before you go out and buy a new acoustic guitar, an understanding of the basics of guitar construction will arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for you.
Guitar Construction
Acoustic guitars use the vibrations from the strings to produce the beautiful sounds that are characteristic of acoustic instruments. These vibrations are channeled into the guitar and reverberated through the soundboard. The soundboard is the top of the guitar and usually made of a soft wood to facilitate a rich sound. The back of the guitar and sides are usually made with hard woods for strength and resonance. The fingerboard and neck are made of a variety of hard woods for strength.
There are two types of acoustic guitars, classic and steel string models. Classic models use nylon strings and produce a mellow sound while steel strings produce a more crisp clear sound. You should try out both types of guitars before you decide on the style you want to buy. Your choice will be determined by personal preference and budget. Nylon string classic guitars are generally cheaper in price, not quality, than their steel string alternatives.
Acoustic models are held together by glue. They are constructed with supporting struts on the inside placed on the back wall of the guitar. It is important to remember to use only nylon strings on a classic guitar because the tinsel strength of a steel guitar is greater than a classic one. What this means is that the steel strings will exert too much tension on a classic guitar and may end up damaging it. Some guitar players find steel strings easier to produce a clear note, but again this is a matter of personal preference.
Wood Choices in Guitar Construction
There are two types of construction methods used for the soundboard in an acoustic guitar. One is solid wood and the other is a veneer construction which uses a thin sheet of spruce or cedar over another type of soft wood. The soundboard needs to be made out of a soft wood so that the sound resonates easily and produces a good tone. Cedar gives the top of your guitar a rich brown finish while spruce ranges from light yellow to amber.
The back and sides of a guitar are made of hardwoods and there are several selections that manufacturers can choose from. The traditional choice is rosewood, but nato, walnut, koa, mahogany and walnut may be used. Some backs and sides are made out of a veneer. While solid wood is the preferred choice for quality guitars, veneer does give you strength and good sound for less money.
High end guitars have ebony fingerboards that are beautiful, but very expensive. Since the fingerboard is exposed to a lot of wear, a hardwood is used for durability. Rosewood is generally used. Avoid guitars that have fingerboards that are made of softwood as these models are usually low quality instruments. The choice of woods used in an acoustic guitar can greatly influence the timbre and tone of the notes produced.
Making Your Decision
While your budget may be your main deciding factor when buying an acoustic guitar, keep in mind that a quality guitar will last you a lifetime if you care for it properly. You may be able to skimp on quality in the beginning, but as your skills develop you will want an acoustic guitar that produces a clear tone and is sturdy. Solid wood construction is the most desirable, but there are veneer wood guitars that are comparable in quality to some solid wood models. Try to find a guitar that is the proportioned to your body frame and hands. Classic acoustic guitars are smaller than steel string models and are easier to hold when you are sitting down. Always include a case in your purchase to protect your investment. A hard case is the best choice for an acoustic model as it will protect it and keep your guitar from being damaged while in storage or transport. Research the different options you have and then you can make an informed choice and get the best guitar for your skill and needs.
Norwegian Wood. Guitar Lesson. Frank Falvo.
|
|
Fender Stratocaster Guitar Solid Sapele Mahogany Wood Pickguard Strat $56.00 |
|
|
1 SET OF 2 Acoustic Guitar Ebony Wood Truss-Rod Covers $2.49 |
|
|
Wood Grape leaf pickguard Scratch Plate for Acoustic Guitar $7.49 |
|
|
2 X TRUSS ROD ,Acoustic Guitar Ebony Wood Truss-Rod Covers $3.48 |
|
|
1 set of Acoustic Guitar Scratch plate Wood Grape leaf $10.48 |
|
|
1 Pair Leaf Design Acoustic Guitar Wood Pickguard $10.49 |
|
|
Free shipping~ Quality Classical Guitar Rosette wood inlay, 208-209 $14.00 |
|
|
High Quality Classical Guitar brass plated , wood inlay surface $80.00 |
|
|
Best Replacement Rosewood Wood Classical Guitar Bridge $2.49 |
|
|
Wood Burned Acoustic Guitar One of a Kind $75.00 |
|
|
wood junior 1/2 size steel string acoustic guitar half $29.95 |
|
|
Ingles SA-32 Wood Guitar Hanger $20.86 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® SOLID WALNUT WOOD Pickguard For LITTLE MARTIN Acoustic Guitar $19.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® SOLID SAPELE WOOD Pickguard For LITTLE MARTIN Acoustic Guitar $19.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® SOLID NOGAL WOOD Pickguard For LITTLE MARTIN Acoustic Guitar $19.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID WALNUT WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT GUITAR HSS $57.97 |
|
|
Free Shipping~~Classical Guitar Rosette wood inlay,3pieces, 205/206/207 $16.00 |
|
|
QUALITY ACOUSTIC GUITAR WOOD INLAY ROSEWOOD ROSETTE B5 1 PIECE $9.00 |
|
|
Free shipping ~ Nice Classical Guitar Rosette wood inlay,3 ps, 200-201/204 $16.00 |
|
|
Original flying V handmade wood guitar art rock and roll home decor accent $130.00 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID WALNUT WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT GUITAR HSH $57.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID MAHOGANY WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT GUITAR HSS $57.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID MAHOGANY WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT GUITAR HSH $57.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID CHERRY WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT GUITAR HSH $57.97 |
|
|
True Custom Shop® 1 PIECE SOLID ASH WOOD Pickguard FENDER STRAT USA GUITAR HSH $57.97 |
|
|
Gravity Defying Wine Bottle Stand – Wood, Single Bottle Holder $7.50 Gravity Defying Wine Bottle Stand – Wood, Single Bottle Holder. Makes a great gift!… |
|
|
Skateboard Storage Display Rack – Invisible Clear Wall Mount Display $16.98 The ORIGINAL CLEAR Skateboard rack. Clear acrylic rack allows your deck art to shine through, practically invisible. The rack design allow for deck only or complete skateboards to be displayed or stored. The heavy duty CLEAR material makes these racks more versatile than standard wood racks or thin flimsy Lexan/polycarbonate. Easy mounting with hardware included and BEAUTIFUL! Display that signed… |
|
|
Eppicotispai Chitarra Pasta Cutter $40.36 Eppicotispai Chitarra (pronounced key-tahr-rah) is a pasta maker believed to have been invented in Chieti, Abruzzo region in central Italy around the 1800’s.Meaning ‘guitar,’ a chitarra looks like a double-sided harp, with strings set close on one side, farther on the other. In then center of the device is a slanted board, designed to allow the cut pasta to slide off easily once it’s been cut by t… |
|
|
Revelator $8.92 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Fleetwood Mac (Deluxe Edition) $5.39 With the “classic” Fleetwood Mac and departed guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer a fading memory, namesakes and rhythm section Mick Fleetwood (drums) and John McVie (bass), along with second generation survivor Christine McVie (vocals, keyboards), let go of their British blues heritage and linked with a failed Californian pop-rock duo, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. That move, born of… |
|
|
Gibson 1963 Johnny Smith Double Electric Pickup Acoustic Archtop Vintage Guitar $12,000.00 |
|
|
NEW Crescent BLACK Electric Guitar+15w Amplifier+ WARRANTY COMBO $99.99 |
|
|
Heavy Metal Style Unfinished Electric Guitar Kit DIY Project TPJS-12 – New $179.99 |
|
|
First Act Electric Guitar Strings Extra Light Gauge .009-.042 BRAND NEW $9.99 |
|
|
Heavy Nylon plus Padded Cotton Electric Guitar Bag Case $18.99 |
|
|
FENDER SQUIER CYCLONE HS WITH WHAMMY ELECTRIC GUITAR TOBACO BURST MINT CONDITION $229.00 |
|
|
NEW HOT PINK 3/4 JUNIOR SIZE LP-777 ELECTRIC GUITAR $159.95 |
|
|
Longhorn Electric Guitar Body Dan Electro Coral Electric Bass Lyre Baritone $184.01 |
|
|
Longhorn Electric Guitar Body Dan Electro Coral Electric Bass Lyre Baritone $185.29 |
|
|
Quick Change Capo For Acoustic/Electric Guitar Black UK $1.55 |
|
|
Crestwood electric guitar with case (white) $101.50 |
|
|
Musical Instrument B-2 Steel Electric Guitar String $5.78 |
|
|
Acoustic/Electric Guitar Quick Change Clamp Key Capo e $0.99 |
|
|
Heavy Metal Style Unfinished Electric Guitar Kit DIY Project TPJS-12 – New $174.95 |
|
|
Phineas & Ferb Electric Guitar $24.98 |
|
|
GREEN+black P-style electric BASS guitar+gig bag+strap $74.95 |
|
|
Alice Steel String Electric Guitar Machine Head Set $9.99 |
|
|
New Guitar Capo for Electric & Acoustic Guitars Capos $0.99 |
|
|
4PCS HEAVY ELECTRIC GUITAR VOLUME TONE KNOB CHROME BRASS $6.99 |
|
|
ELECTRIC GUITAR FRET WIRE SET /24 PIECES FOR FENDER STRAT $2.99 |
|
|
Fender Classic Series ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe Black Electric Guitar $450.00 |
|
|
Pink Digital Auto Tuner Electric Acoustic Guitar 440Hz $7.99 |
|
|
Sliver Digital Auto Tuner Electric Guitar Bass 440Hz $7.99 |
|
|
3-way Selector Electric Guitar Blade Switch W/ Black Cap $1.99 |
|
|
Gold Tune-O-Matic Electric Guitar Bridge & Stop Bar SET $9.99 |
|
|
Black Tune-O-Matic Electric Guitar Bridge & Stop Bar SET $9.49 |
|
|
Black Acoustic Electric Guitar End Pin Jack, Input Out Jack $2.99 |
|
|
ELECTRIC GUITAR/BASS PRE-Wired CONTROL PLATE CHROME $7.99 |
|
|
3R3L Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads Tuners Black $6.99 |
|
|
BLACK 6L TWIST LOCK Electric GUITAR MACHINE HEADS $14.99 |
|
|
6L TWIST LOCK Electric GUITAR MACHINE HEADS Chrome $14.99 |
|
|
Quality Chrome 6R In line Electric Guitar tuning peg machine heads $5.99 |
|
|
Electric Guitar Bone nuts Slotted 42*3.5*4.5/3.5 Set of 3 $2.99 |
|
|
3PCS 6 String Electric Guitar Bone nuts Slotted $3.69 |
|
|
Curved Electric Guitar Humbucker Pickup Frame IVORY $1.99 |
|
|
Curved Electric Guitar bridge / neck Pickup Frame Ring Black $1.99 |
|
|
Electric Guitar Thin Flat Pickup Frame Ring Height 3mm $1.99 |
|
|
REPLACEMENT HARDTAIL ELECTRIC GUITAR BRIDGE CHROME $6.99 |
|
|
BLACK COVERED SINGLE COIL ELECTRIC GUITAR PICKUP 48/50/52 Set $7.99 |
|
|
WHITE Humbucker Double Coil ELECTRIC Guitar Pickup SET $10.99 |
|
|
Duplex Electric Guitar Cavity Cover Back Plate Mirror $2.49 |
|
|
CREAM GUITAR BODY BACK PLATE For Electric guitar $1.99 |
|
|
Gold Electric Guitar Tremolo Bridge Double Lock Kit $30.99 |
|
|
ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS CHROME TELE NECK PICKUP $4.49 |
|
|
BLACK TWIN BAR ELECTRIC GUITAR PICKUPS PICK-UP $5.99 |
|
|
RMS G80 Electric Guitar 80Watt Amp Amplifier $139.99 |
|
|
38″ Waterproof Electric Guitar Gig Bag Case w/ Strap $7.49 |
|
|
40″ Waterproof Electric Guitar Gig Bag Case w/ Strap $8.99 |
|
|
41″ Waterproof Electric Guitar Gig Bag Case w/ Strap $8.49 |
|
|
2 X CR Dual Concentric Control knob for Electric guitar $4.49 |
|
|
2 X Gold Dual Concentric Control knob for Electric guitar $4.99 |
|
|
4 x RED SPEED KNOB FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR,PUSH ON $2.99 |
|
|
4 x Chrome Metal Electric Guitar Knobs Flat Top $4.99 |
|
|
Quality Fixed Tremolo Bridge For Fender Electric Guitar $16.99 |
|
|
1 set of 4 SPEED KNOB FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR,PUSH ON Transparent $2.99 |
|
|
Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads Tuners Gold $11.99 |
|
|
Golden Electric Guitar Sealed Machine Heads Tuners SET $12.49 |
|
|
NEW ORIGINAL SET PRS 9-42 GAUGE ELECTRIC GUITAR 6 STRINGS PAUL REED SMITH PACK $13.95 |
|
|
Digital Electric Acoustic Guitar Bass String Tuner Auto $6.99 |
|
|
10 x Electric Guitar Input Output Jack Socket Switchcraft $3.99 |
|
|
6 x Acoustic Electric Guitar Machine heads W/concave cap $5.49 |
|
|
Aria TA-50 Electric Guitar – Brown Sunburst $627.29 |
|
|
GOLD 3L3R Unique Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads Skull button $9.99 |
|
|
3L3R CHROME Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads cool Skull button $9.99 |
|
|
BLACK BACK PLATE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR 6 hole $1.97 |
|
|
LAP STEEL GUITAR-Electric lapsteel pedal-slide RED New $89.95 |
|
|
Lefty Daisy Rock Heartbreaker Red Hot Electric Guitar $174.99 |
|
|
RED METALLIC Electric Guitar Set NEW SG package+gig bag $139.95 |
|
|
Nylon Bag MBT ELECTRIC GUITAR BAG $44.95 |
|
|
Acoustic-Electric Guitar-Slimline+10W AMP new Black $139.95 |
|
|
Daisy Rock Bubinga Butterfly Acoustic-Electric Guitar $354.99 |
|
|
Dark Mahogany Acoustic Electric Guitar 4-band EQ NEW! $124.95 |
|
|
Carvin VT50 50W Vintage Series Electric Guitar Amp Amplifier Head NEW $499.00 |
|
|
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Electric Guitar Strings $4.00 |
|
|
22pcs FRET WIRE Pack for 2.4mm Wide ELECTRIC GUITAR ETC $3.99 |
|
|
3L3R Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads / Vintage Antique Color $10.99 |
|
|
Electric Guitar Strings Tele Bridge Side Position Pickup BLACK $5.99 |
|
|
Electric Guitar Strings Tele Bridge/Neck Pickups pick up Set $11.99 |
|
|
Black Square Electric Guitar Bass Output Plate w/Jack 33X33MM $2.99 |
|
|
Gold Tremolo Bridge Single Locking System for Strat Electric Guitar $17.99 |
|
|
High quality 5way Electric Guitar Pickup Solid blade lever switch $6.99 |
|
|
9foot Red Electric Guitar hookup wire Tinned annealed copper 22awg $2.99 |
|
|
1 Set of Electric Guitar String Tree Retainer Spacer Screw black $2.49 |
|
|
VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS TELE NECK PICKUP GOLD $7.49 |
|
|
Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings 6 Pack $19.92 |
|
|
Ernie Ball 2223 Nickel Super Slinky Pink Electric Guitar Strings 6 Pack $19.92 |
|
|
CHROME Electric Guitar Roller Saddles Style Tune-O-Matic Bridge & TAILPIECE $17.99 |
|
|
1 Set of 2 Ivory Electric Guitar Soapbar pickup cover E-E 50mm $3.49 |
|
|
1 Set of 2 Black Electric Guitar Soapbar pickup covers 50mm Pole Spacing $3.49 |
|
|
ELECTRIC JB J BASS GUITAR OPEN PICKUP COVERS SET BLACK $2.99 |
|
|
30PCS Black White Cream Electric guitar 5 way switch knob tip cap $3.99 |
|
|
Electric Guitar Tremolo Bridge System black for Headless Guitar $78.99 |
|
|
BLACK ELECTRIC GUITAR TREMOLO ARM THREADED, Black Tip $3.49 |
|
|
GOLD ELECTRIC GUITAR TREMOLO ARM THREADED 6MM, WHITE TIP $3.99 |
|
|
Gold jack Ferrule Cup Style For Telecaster Electric Guitar $3.49 |
|
|
3PLY 10 Hole Yellow Pearl Tele Electric Guitar Pickguard Guard Plate $6.99 |
|
|
8FT Replacement Electric Guitar Fretwire 2.4mm White Copper For luthier maker $7.49 |
|
|
8FT Electric Guitar Fretwire 2.4mm Yellow Brass For Guitar maker $6.99 |
|
|
CAPO For Electric/Acoustic Guitar, Key Change Gun-shape / Random $3.99 |
|
|
4PCS HEAVY BLACK ELECTRIC GUITAR BRONZE VOLUME TONE KNOB $8.48 |