Tonewoods Explained: Why Wood Matters on an Acoustic Guitar
If you’ve ever picked up two acoustic guitars that look the same but sound completely different, chances are the difference came down to one thing:
Tonewood.
The wood a guitar is made from—especially the top—has a major impact on how it sounds, feels, and even ages. Whether you're strumming chords, fingerpicking, or flatpicking, the wood beneath your strings plays a big role in shaping your tone.
Let’s break down the basics so you know what to look (and listen) for.
🔝 The Top Wood (Soundboard) – Where Most of the Tone Comes From
The top of the guitar is where most of the sound is produced. Different woods vibrate in different ways, and each brings its own flavor to the guitar’s voice.
Spruce – The most common top wood, especially Sitka spruce. It’s bright, clear, and balanced, making it great for all styles—from strumming to picking. Spruce holds up well over time and is super responsive to dynamic playing.
Mahogany – A denser wood with a warmer, punchier tone. It gives you strong midrange and a slightly more direct, dry sound. Perfect for rhythm players and singer-songwriters who want that earthy, woody tone.
Cedar – Softer and more delicate than spruce. Cedar is sensitive and expressive, making it a favorite for fingerstyle players. It responds well to a light touch and has a smooth, mellow tone right out of the box.
🪵 Back and Sides – Shaping the Guitar’s Voice
While the top does most of the talking, the back and sides shape the tone—like EQ settings on an amp. Here's what different woods bring to the table:
Rosewood – Known for its deep bass and shimmering high end. Rosewood backs and sides give you a rich, full-spectrum tone with excellent clarity and projection. It’s a classic choice for premium acoustics.
Mahogany – Adds midrange warmth and a more focused tone. Mahogany-bodied guitars are punchy and articulate—great for blues, folk, and rootsy styles.
Maple – Very bright and reflective. Maple gives you clarity and focus with quick note decay. It’s often chosen for stage guitars because it cuts through a mix cleanly.
🎶 Why Tonewood Combos Matter
Many guitars combine woods to balance tone and feel. For example:
Spruce top + rosewood back/sides = classic, balanced, big tone
Cedar top + mahogany back/sides = warm and responsive for fingerstyle
Mahogany top + mahogany back/sides = dry, rootsy, midrange-heavy tone
As tonewoods age, many get even better—especially solid wood tops. A guitar that sounds good today might sound incredible in a few years.
🎸 So... Does Tonewood Really Matter?
Yes—especially on an acoustic guitar.
Unlike electrics, where pickups do most of the talking, acoustics rely almost entirely on the vibration of the wood. The type, quality, and combination of woods can make the difference between a guitar that sounds thin and boxy—or one that’s rich, full, and inspiring to play.
✅ Want Help Choosing the Right Guitar?
At Morris Guitar Company, we help players find guitars that not only look great—but sound amazing for their style and budget.
We carry a curated selection of used and refurbished acoustics in a variety of tonewoods, and we’re happy to help you compare.