What’s the Best Wood Species for My Musical Instrument?

What is tonewood?

Tonewood is the unofficial term given to describe a classification of woods used to build musical instruments.¹

While any type of wood can be used to make an instrument, tonewood species are those that best suit the needs of the instrument—particularly where tonal quality, function, and aesthetics are concerned.

The quality of the instrument largely depends on the wood it’s made of—whether it’s a higher-quality tonewood or a cheaper one.

The same is true of whether the instrument is made of solid wood or laminate wood. The highest quality instruments will be made of solid wood, while cheaper instruments will be made of laminate wood, or layered sheets of cheap wood with a solid wood covering.²

If you’re a beginner musician or luthier, cheaper options may be the way to go. But, if you’re looking for high-end instruments with rich sound quality and longevity, more expensive wood species or solid wood instruments may be the best choice (especially if you’re a luthier hoping to make big bucks off of the instrument you created!).

Beyond price, it’s important to understand the qualities of different wood species so you’ll know which is right for you.

What factors need to be considered when selecting wood?

All wood species have different qualities. But when it comes to selecting the right tonewood, you’ll want to see how wood species fall under the following categories:

• Sound quality
• Density
• Durability
• Aesthetics

Let’s kick off the list by talking about sound quality.

Sound quality

Sound quality refers to the way different wood species sound when made into an instrument.

This is why the same instruments, made of different wood species, may have slightly different sounds.

The way pieces of wood sound matters because certain characteristics like pitch, volume, timbre, and resonance may vary depending on music genre and playing style.

For example, rock music may require tonewoods with bolder sounds, while country or folk music may need something softer and warmer.

Some wood species that are particularly known for their sound quality include:

• Spruce: It has a clear, balanced tone, which is why so many guitars have spruce guitar tops.³

• Rosewood: It has a clear tone and powerful acoustics.⁴

• Mahogany: It is warm and even-sounding with a good midrange, making it the perfect choice for acoustic soundboards.⁵ This is why mahogany guitars are quite popular (Mahogany’s sound is similar to sapele wood, which has a great midrange and airy treble⁶).

• Maple: It has an even, harmonic tone, making it perfect for acoustic guitars playing in bands with other instruments.⁷

• Grenadilla: It rings clear while managing a warm and rich tone, making it perfect for woodwind instruments like flutes (not to be confused with granadillo).⁸

Because of the various sounds (and properties) of different wood species, instruments are usually composed of multiple wood species, with each being placed in areas where their unique sound qualities can shine.

This is why the body wood of guitars (like the back and sides) is usually made out of rosewood, a wood species that is known for its powerful sound.⁹

The sound quality of wood is determined by numerous factors—but one of the greatest factors is the density of the wood itself.

Density

Density refers to how much matter is packed into a given object.¹⁰ The more dense an object is, the more matter it contains in a given space, while less dense objects contain less matter.

It’s kind of like comparing a ceramic cup with a Styrofoam one. The ceramic cup is heavy and substantial, while the Styrofoam is light and airy.¹¹ Because the Styrofoam is more porous, it’s not as dense or heavy as the ceramic.

It works the same way with wood. High-density wood, like ebony and maple, is typically heavy and full, while low-density wood, like willow and poplar, is light and airy.¹²

In this way, the grains of high-density wood are tightly packed together, while low-density wood grains are more spread apart. Because sound has less distance to travel in dense wood, it ends faster but sounds louder and brighter.¹³ Meanwhile, because low-density wood is so spread apart, the sound has a longer distance to travel, making the sound weaker but reverberating and vibrating more.¹⁴

It’s kind of like how it’s easier to hear someone speak in a small room than it is in a big room. But while you can’t hear as clearly in a loud room, the sound can last longer as it vibrates and echoes off the walls.

This is why high-density wood is favored for classical guitars, while electric guitars, which rely on electronics to alter their sound, work well with low-density wood like poplar.¹⁵

On top of impacting sound, density also influences the weight and mobility of an instrument. So if you want an easy-to-carry instrument, you might want to choose a low-density wood species.

There can be a bit of a trade-off between weight and sound where you have to choose between deeper, clearer sound and mobility. Though some wood species, like spruce, can give you the best of both worlds by being strong and lightweight with wonderful acoustic properties.¹⁶

Whichever density level you lean towards, it’s important to know that high-density woods are generally the more durable option.¹⁷

Durability

Durability is how well a wood species can stand the test of time.

More durable wood species (typically hardwoods) will withstand constant wear and tear, while less durable species (typically softwoods) are more fragile.

Some of the most durable wood species include ebony and maple.¹⁸ This is why ebony is used for fingerboards (or fretboards) as it will resist the wear and tear of constant playing.¹⁹

But maybe you aren’t just concerned with how your instrument holds up.

Most musicians and luthiers will want instruments that are as beautiful as they are functional.

That’s where aesthetics come in.

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of a wood species is its style and the quality of its appearance.

Most craftsmen and musicians are going to gravitate towards beautiful, high-quality wood. But personal style and preference are also key components in selecting the look of the wood.

Do you like wood with straight grain like spruce or quilted grain patterns, or flame patterns, like maple?²⁰

Do you prefer lighter wood like spruce or darker wood like ebony?

How about undertones? Do you like your instruments to have a rich, red warmth to them? Mahogany may be a good option. How about something more unique? You may be interested in species like purpleheart or ziricote.

As you look, it’s important to note that your instrument’s aesthetics may be limited by your budget. This is because high-quality wood species prized for their looks, like rosewood and ebony, are very expensive.

The choice is yours, and you know your budget best, but going with more expensive woods may be worth it, considering it will probably sound better and last longer than low-end wood anyway.

Now that we’ve covered the qualities of different wood species, let’s look at your tonewood options.

The most popular wood species for instruments

Knowing the most popular tonewoods can help you narrow down what wood species you want to use.

In the music world, classical instruments are typically made with traditional wood species. In this way, stringed instruments like violins almost always use spruce for the tops and maple for the backs, sides, and neck.²¹

However, non-classical instruments like electric guitars can be made out of almost any material.

Overall, the most popular wood species used in instrument-making include:

• Spruce: Coming in varieties like Adirondack, European, and Sitka spruce, spruce is chosen largely for its dynamic range.²² It is both strong and lightweight.²³

• Rosewood: Coming in varieties like Brazilian rosewood and Indian rosewood, this species is desired for its tonal properties and powerful sound.²⁴

• Mahogany: Available in varieties like African mahogany and Honduran mahogany, this species’ gorgeous red glow and warm tone make it a crowd favorite.²⁵

• Koa: Its beautiful color and grain, paired with its warm and mellow sound make it the perfect tonewood for ukuleles.²⁶

• Maple: Chosen for its tonal characteristics, maple sounds good with other instruments and is selected for guitar necks, sides, and guitar backs.²⁷

• Ebony: Prized for its beautiful dark colors and durability, ebony is used in high-end instruments, particularly in areas that are susceptible to wear and tear.

• Cedar: Lightweight and resonant, makes a great material for guitars (especially for fingerstyle players).²⁸

• Basswood: Known for being lightweight but durable.²⁹ A popular choice for piano keys and electric guitars.³⁰

• Grenadilla (African blackwood): A common selection for woodwind instruments for its sound quality, density, and moisture resistance.³¹

• Ash: A light color with bold patterns, this wood species is loved for its bright and clear sound. It works well with single-coil pickups.³²

• Walnut: Known for its beautiful dark brown color and straight grain. It has a clear and defined sound.³³

Now that you know what all these wood species are like, there’s just one last question to ask yourself.

Which one will you choose?

Choosing the right wood

There are many qualities and wood species to consider when choosing the right wood for your instrument, but the search is well worth it if it means having an instrument you’re truly satisfied with.

And now that we’ve helped you understand your options, your search for the right tonewood should be even easier!

However, there is one last thing we want to leave you with.

Whatever wood species you choose, you’ll want to ensure that you check its moisture level before buying it and taking it home.

To learn how this small step can help you prevent moisture damage in musical instruments,