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Have you ever wondered what the best woods for an acoustic guitar might be? I’m not a luthier, but I not so long ago did a little exploration of my own which may help to shed a good deal of light on the subject.
I ran into that the dynamic response of an acoustic guitar, and the sound it produces, are determined by the density of woods applied and the overall construction of the instrument itself.
Makes perfective sense, right? But did you recognise that sound travels more quickly through galore woods and slower through others? This little phenomenon effects the overall tone, or “color” of a peculiar acoustic guitar.
Perhaps you’ve noticed this yourself if you’ve ever equated the sound of one guitar with another. For instance, one guitar may sound bright and clear, the other warm and mellow.
Many guitarists know that Sitka Spruce is the most mutual of the woods applied for building the face (top) of an acoustic guitar. This wood’s high velocity develops a bright, clear tone that has a wide dynamic response.
Red Spruce on the other hand, is heavier. It’s grain is the stiffest of all the top woods used for building acoustic guitars. This queer characteristic develops the most eminent volume with more intricate overtones. That’s in all probability why it’s a favored choice for steel-string acoustic guitar players. All you Bluegrass guitarists out there recognise you may genuinely get down and rip it up!
Brazillian Rosewood has many times been considered idealisti for the sides and back of an acoustic guitar. Not only does it create rich tones, natural reverb calibers and terrifi clarity, it also has a finelooking appearance. However, due to the high demand for this product the Brazillian Rosewood tree has become a threatened species and is now being protected. This evidently makes the wood more scarce and harder to come by.
But difficult circumstances may be the mother of invention- which leads me to one of the coolest things I learned while doing my exploration with regards to guitar woods…
The Martin Guitar Company has invented a new guitar model that is quintessentially designed to aid protect the environment. It’s the Martin DCE Dreadnaught Cutaway Acoustic-Electric. Needless to say, it’s not cheap, but it is modern and admirable on their share for taking such an initiative in the initial place. Read their own words…
“The real star of this guitar is the quality that sustainable wood provides to the guitar. Sustainable wood is planted and harvested by ethical means as not to promote erosion and sustain the ecosystem as it is in it’s natural environment. It’s no surprise one of the firstborn proponents and users of a DCE is Trey Anastasio of Phish and other environmentally conscious musicians.”
All I may say is two thumbs up for the Martin Company!
Other woods that are likewise applied for the back and sides are Mahogany, Maple and now and then Cherry.
Mahogany is denser than those antecedently mentioned. It has lower sound velocity but develops a solid tone.
Maple likewise has lower sound velocity and may be somewhat dull when employed as a top for an acoustic guitar. On the other hand, the grain is particularly beautiful when employed for the back. Be conscious that beauty and adornment are added features which will drive the price higher. Maple responds well when amplified and accordingly it’s a popular choice for solid-bodied electric guitars.
I didn’t exploration the specs on Cherry wood, but because it’s not as common, I assume it would be more expensive.
The bridge is another crucial factor to consider when buying an acoustic guitar. Some would even say it’s the most indispensable because the vibrations produced from strumming the strings are transmitted through the bridge into the sound chamber. It then bounces around inside the guitar and comes out the sound hole.
A good bridge will be made of hard woods such as Ebony, Rosewood, or Ash.
Above all, undertake to stay away from laminated wood guitars as they will crack and discerned beneath sure conditions. To make your choice simpler, I suggest sticking with reputable companies that you recognise and trust such as Martin, Yamaha, Gibson, Takamine, and Taylor, etc. If you do determine to go with a habit built guitar, make sure you recognise what you’re paying for. Always look for sound quality and playability first; beauty last. That way you will have years of enjoyment playing an instrument you veritably love.
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural
Designed and built beneath the supervision of Takamine’s head luthiers, G-Series guitars are invented to serve all players from the hobbyist to professional. The EG523SC jumbo is our biggest body guitar. The solid spruce top gives you all the power you would suppose from a guitar of this size. The beauty of the flame maple back and sides makes this a guitar you won’t want to put down. The gloss natural finish accentuates the beauty of the grain and protects the wood from the rigors of the road. Stage ready with TK40 preamp with onboard chromatic tuner.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #12627 in Musical Instruments
- Brand: Takamine
- Model: EG523SC
- Released on: 2011-05-06
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 19.25″ h x 7.00″ w x 42.50″ l,
- Crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods
- Solid Sitka Spruce tops and Flame Maple back and sides
- Rosewood fretboard inlayed with Mother of Pearl and Abalone
- Features the world widely known and esteemed Takamine TK40 pickup
| Takamine Guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all supplying players with an unmatched excellency and surprising affordability. Play one today and you’ll play one for a lifetime. Specifications:
| Body Shape: | Jumbo C/A | | Rosette: | Abalone | | Top: | Solid Spruce | | Inlays: | Block MOP and Abalone | | Back: | Flamed Maple | | Sides: | Flamed Maple | | Fingerboard: | Rosewood | | Electronics: | TK4NT | | Tuners: | Chrome |
Takamine Electronics:
The TK4N preamp gives you a tunable notch filter and switchable midrange contour.
Takamine made outstanding advancements with their palethetic pickup, and set the popular for the industry. Other manufacturers soon offered acoustic/electric models, but none has reached the level of sophistication and performance set by Takamine. Our Takamine pickup is like no other. It’s an integral percentage of the guitar’s design, not a retrofit like most other “”factory”" systems. Six person piezo transducers are embedded in the bridge plate where they sense both string and soundboard vibration. Takamine also initiated the slider control preamp style for the acoustic/electric guitar. No other guitar company had the technical advancements that Takamine set in place, and to this day no other guitar company may achieve that level of quality in the market. About Takamine
Nestled at the base of Takamine Mountain in Sakashita, Japan, Takamine Guitars have over 40 years of history committed to innovation and betterment to the art and craft of guitarmaking. What firstborn started out as a little family business has evolved into one of the leading guitar makers In the world, depended upon by a good deal of of the best players and biggest names in the music industry. So what’s the deal? Why are there so a lot of Takamine players? We’d like to think that it’s because we’ve earned your respect. Takamine has made technical advancements that have surpassed other guitar makers. Takamine prides itself in their dedication and commitment to fine luthiership and it is shown through each Instrument the company makes. Takamine had it is early beginnings while guitar playing and music was benefitting popularity in Japan for the duration of the early 60′s. As their business grew they saw the need to invent their attainments and attract design and formulating talent. One of the most necessary additions to the company was one Mr. Mass Hirade. Hirade joined Takamine in 1968, and made outstanding improvements upon design and build quality, and set forth with his staff to energize and beef up the business. The factory begun devising their world class “”Classical”" that to this day still carry the Hirade name. Through Hirade’s commitment and commitment to Takamine, he was competent to commence an overseas retail business in 1975. Takamine Guitars were competent to reach out to guitar players around the world. Takamine was at long last placed in the hands of musicians who had only heard with regards to their outstanding sound and fine craftsmanship. “
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Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Image
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Pic
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Pic
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Image
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Photo
Takamine Eg523sc Acoustic Electric Natural Image
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
 Want a Gibson?…Get a Takamine
By Mario Alberto Valbuena
The guitar is playable right out of the box. Action is high but reasonable, but the more you play it the more you like it. This is my first, and I love it. Takamine customer service (via email) is great; they would answer any question you might have. The guitar comes with DAddario EXP16 according to them. I did change them to EPX10 Extra Light Coated 8020 and it is a better player. Next will be a good setup by a professional. Get a humidifier; I got the Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier System, plain and simple. Get a case as well, I bought the Takamine case that is very secure and keeps the guitar well. I played a Gibson similar to the Takamine, and no much difference but the price. I put both guitars thru a good amp. With no amp, I experience little difference. The guitar stays in tuned for days once the strings have stretched. The wood grain in the guitar is beautiful, it looks and sounds like a $2000 guitar. Don’t let people know. Is a Korean made guitar, which tells you that is good quality. With no more to say. Get one, have fun and play it a lot.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
 Very nice guitar
By John Gulledge
I’ v had this particular guitar for less than a week, and have already fell in love with it. Plays like a soft dream, cords oh so easy. If your like me, and most people, the “F” cord is a killer, well not on this guitar, it really cords that easy, and makes me look, and sound better. As for the quality, and workmanship, superb. Looks of the guitar is stunning, and that’s what initially drew me to this particular model. The sound that resonates is clear, and clean. The onboard tuner is great, and easy to use. Plugged in or not this guitar really sounds great!
If I had to find one thing I don’t like about it is the name, it’s hard for me to say  ~
Great value, great sound, stunning to look at, makes the Takamine EG523SC the perfect buy.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Good guitar for the money
By Gary Bisaga
This instrument is one of the most beautiful instruments I’ve played. The built-in tuner works well, and it’s a well built instrument, very high quality fit and finish. Action is a little high, and there’s some fret buzz: but nothing a decent once-over by a good shop can’t fix.
See all 8 customer reviews…
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