| Wood Species | Use | Velocity of Sound | Fundamental Tone | Harmonic Overtones | Stiffness | Weight | Description |
| Sitka Spruce |
soundboard
|
high
|
strong
|
mod weak
|
high
|
low
|
robust, meaty tone - strong treble, good headroom, clear tones; can sound thin when played at low volume. |
| German spruce |
soundboard
|
high
|
mod weak
|
strong
|
high
|
low
|
bright, full complex - quicker response than englemann, fullness at the lower end; expensive, difficult to obtain high quality boards. |
| Englemann Spruce |
soundboard
|
high
|
mod weak
|
strong
|
mod high
|
low
|
bright, full rich complex tones at low to moderate volume; sound can break down at high volumes |
| Red Spruce |
soundboard
|
very high
|
strong
|
strong
|
very high
|
mod low
|
rich, full, complex, clarity at high volume; expensive, difficult to obtain appearance grade tops |
| Red Cedar |
soundboard
|
high
|
moderate
|
strong
|
mod high
|
very low
|
dark, warm, quick response, enhanced lower end; sound can break down at high volumes |
| Mahogany |
soundboard, back and sides,
neck
|
mod high
|
moderate
|
mod strong
|
moderate
|
moderate
|
strong, punchy, crisp, dry tone, with a typically strong midrange |
| Maple |
soundboard, back and sides,
neck
|
low
|
strong
|
weak
|
moderate
|
moderate high
|
smooth response, acoustically transparent, good for recording and high amplification; can flat and tonal. |
| The Rosewoods |
back and sides, fingerboard,
bridge
|
very high
|
very strong
|
strong
|
very high
|
very high
|
dark, warm, full, complex - has the lowest resonating frequencies of any wood, complex bottom end with slow decay of sound; expensive, endangered, can sound "reverby" sympathetic vibrations may cause muddiness, a problem for recording. |
| Ebony |
fingerboard. bridge
|
very low
|
strong
|
weak
|
high
|
very high
|
highest internal damping, does not color the sound and can quiet unwanted overtones; expensive, endangered. |
| Spanish Cedar |
neck
|
mod high
|
moderate
|
moderate strong
|
moderate
|
mod low
|
similar qualities as mahogany, lighter, slightly quicker response and not as strong structurally. |