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Tonewood Types
Alder - American Red
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- Name: Alder - American Red
- Origin: North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details Exclusively used for guitar and bass bodies. Light brown to reddish in colour and has a closed grain which does not require grain filling before finishing, making it an ideal choice for the guitar builder and hobbyist. Looks great with a sunburst or solid colour. Alder has been used since the early 1950’s for guitar bodies.
Baseball Bat Ash
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- Name: Baseball Bat Ash
- Origin: North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details Very hard wood also heavy, if you have a bad back this is not the wood for you! If you are looking for a bright tone and like a heavy body, then this wood is very popular. You will need to grain fill this wood. With pronounced darkening of the heartwood with varying diameters down the lengths of the wood. Small dark patches can occur as well as frequent figuring, cream colour with hints of brown.
Bubinga
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- Name: Bubinga
- Origin: Africa
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details Brown to violet-red in colour. Hardwood, very strong wood with great midtones. Used a lot in the USA for necks and body laminated tops.
Ebony
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- Name: Ebony
- Origin: India
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Limited Stock Finish Required ✔ Not essential but Danish oil or tung oil work very well. -
Finishing Not essential but Danish oil or tung oil work very well.
Details The wood is black with brown regular or irregular reddish-brown to green-brown streaks. The wood has a distinct sheen and is most decorative. Mainly used for fretboard, the darker the colour the higher the cost. Guitar builders favourite. Limited stock.
Indian Rosewood
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- Name: Indian Rosewood
- Origin: India
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ Not essential but Danish oil or tung oil work very well. -
Finishing Not essential but Danish oil or tung oil work very well.
Details Most popular fretboard wood, Indian Rosewood. Does not require a finish although we like to finish ours with Danish oil or tung oil for a silky-smooth finish. Colour varies, brown-purple, yellow/orange tint occasionally.
Swamp Ash
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- Name: Swamp Ash
- Origin: North America, Eastern Canada
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes. We love a clear finish on the Swamp Ash to show its natural beauty.
Details Looking for awesome tone? Lightweight? This is the one for you, due to its resonant qualities it’s a Guitarbuild favourite! Swamp Ash has been used since the early 1950’s for guitar bodies, the wood is much lighter than standard American Ash and Guitarbuild also offer premium Swamp Ash if you are looking for something extra special. Popping out bright and warm tones.
Korina
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- Name: Korina
- Origin: Africa
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details The colour can vary. Has the desired light yellow colour, medium weight, good all round wood. Great for chambered bodies and necks too.
Mahogany
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- Name: Mahogany
- Origin: Africa
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details If you are looking for a warm tone and like a medium - heavy body then this wood is a very popular choice. Great sustain, some of the major USA brands use this wood. Very easy to grain fill this wood, great for chambered bodies and necks too.
American Plain Maple
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- Name: American Plain Maple
- Origin: North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ It is Heavy Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Hard Maple can be surface treated with almost any finish. Staining not as easy as some other woods.
Details By far the most popular neck wood to keep the vintage vibe, this is the wood you want for your neck. Due to its resistance to friction, it is the most suitable wood for necks. The figure varies and can have brown markings due to the so called "sugar" that occurs in Hard Maple. We also use this wood for bodies, great bright tone.
Flame Maple
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- Name: Flame Maple
- Origin: North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Book-Matched Tops Only Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Any surface treatment can be done without any problem. Polished surfaces are especially decorative.
Details Flame varies, tight, wide, straight and highly figured. Best for book matched tops and looks great for necks too. Bright tone.
Birds Eye Maple
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- Name: Birds Eye Maple
- Origin: Northern parts of North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Book-Matched Tops Only Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Birdseye Maple is particularly suitable for staining and clear finishes. Producing an exquisite look.
Details Best for book matched tops and looks great for necks too. Birds eye intensity can vary, ask about our selection service to select a unique piece. Bright tone. Different grades available, see “Grades” tab for details.
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- AAAAA = Deep figure all over, fine straight grain
- AAAA = Figure everywhere, straight grain
- AAA = Random Figure (some unfigured spots)
- AA = Slight figure
- A = Very little figure
Poplar
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- Name: Poplar
- Origin: USA
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing All the usual methods can be used for surface treatment and the wood is very suitable for staining and polishing. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details Very similar to Alder in properties, can be used for solid bodies, looks great with solid finishes and clear finish, brings out the natural beauty. Staining also a great option, no grain filling required.
Walnut
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- Name: Walnut
- Origin: North America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Walnut is particularly suitable for clear finishes. Producing an exquisite look. You can also use oils and waxes. Some grain filling maybe required, but not essential.
Details The fruits, walnuts, are cultivated for their distinctive and desirable taste, but we love this wood for its natural beauty, looks amazing under a clear finish. Similar tone to Maple, but not quite as heavy.
Zebrawood
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- Name: Zebrawood
- Origin: West Africa
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ It's heavy Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Zebrawood is particularly suitable for clear finishes. Producing an exquisite look. You can also use oils and waxes. Grain filling maybe required.
Details The heartwood is light grey to yellow with distinct dark brown stripes. We love this wood for its natural beauty, looks amazing under a clear finish. Book matched tops look great. Open grain, heavy. Gorgeous.
White Limba
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- Name: White Limba
- Origin: Africa
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing White Limba is suitable for painted or clear finishes. Some grain filling maybe required. Weight can vary in this wood from medium to super lightweight.
Details This wood is often confused with Korina while it is similar, it's lighter in colour and generally lighter weight. It makes a good substitute for lightweight Swamp Ash in tonal qualities.
Quilted Maple
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- Name: Quilted Maple
- Origin: North West America
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USED FOR YES NO NOTES Bodies ✔ Book-Matched Tops Only Neck Backs ✔ Fretboards ✔ Finish Required ✔ -
Finishing Quilted Maple is particularly suitable for clear or stained finishes. Producing an exquisite look. You can also use oils and waxes.
Details This figure can vary from large to small blisters. This wood is mainly used for book-matched tops to upgrade the appearance of your guitar or bass. We love this wood for its natural beauty, looks amazing under a clear or stained finish.
