Every tonewood contributes distinct tonal qualities, playability, and aesthetics:
- Sitka Spruce (Bearclaw) – A preferred choice for soundboards, offering exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, clarity, and dynamic responsiveness while the Bearclaw striations add aesthetic character.
- Rosewood (Indian, Brazilian) – Renowned for its rich grain and tonal depth. Due to trade restrictions on Brazilian rosewood, Indian rosewood remains the more accessible alternative.
- Padauk – A visually striking wood with a deepening reddish-orange hue. It’s warm, balanced tone, strong bass, and crisp highs make it a worthy rival to rosewoods.
- Maple – Bright and articulate, ideal for jazz and acoustic-electric guitars, delivering a crisp, clear sound.
- Curly Maple – Favoured for its highly decorative grain. Due to its interlocking structure, it requires meticulous sanding and finishing.
- Mahogany – Projects a warm, midrange-heavy sound with excellent balance, commonly used for backs and sides.