Instrument Wood Building Reference
Instrument Wood Building Reference (wood_ref.shtml) | Updated: 17-Mar-2009 - 00:10
Here is a collection of woods typically used in guitar and ukuelele construction with descriptions. These links and information has been collected from various luthiers and wood suppliers around the world.
Ukulele Woods
from Tony Graziano Ukuleles
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Links
Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Graziano
Info
His is a page of information on the woods, with descriptions, used by Tony Graziano to build his fine ukuleles.
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♣
Ukulele Top Woods
Tony Graziano Ukuleles
Tony Graziano has been building musical instruments since 1969 and became interested in the Ukulele in 1978 , and then in 1995, after several years of building both guitars and Ukuleles, Tony began building Ukuleles almost exclusively. Tony likes to think of the ukulele as an instrument of the millennium. Its compact, easy to travel with, and brings joy to all who hear and play them. All Tony Graziano Ukes are built by Tony in his Santa Cruz shop using of the finest woods available.
Check out the Tony Graziano Ukuleles web site.
Click on ukulele wood image for larger view.
Koa
A native hardwood of Hawaii. It has a beautiful grain, as well as a bright punchy tone with plenty of warmth. Koa is the "traditional" Uke wood.
Mahogany
Similar to Koa in sound, it is very even in tone, and has excellent midrange response.
Cypress
Cypress is a hardwood traditionally used in flamenco guitars. When combined with a spruce top, it gives a snappy bright sound with good sustain. It is also very light in weight.
Mango
Similar to mahogany though a bit harder. Lots of yellow and grey grain variations. another cool Hawaiian wood.
Rosewood
Great for a enhanced bass tone. Works well in baritones with a spruce top.(as shown here) very good low end.
Bamboo
A non endangered tropical wood. Great bright sound and great unique look. Bamboo literally grows like grass.
Walnut
A very pretty domestic hardwood.
Maple
Bright sound, clearer treble response.
Spruce
An excellent Top wood with a warm full sound. Makes for a louder Uke with more sustain. Shown here on a Uke with Koa sides.
Cedar
Similar to spruce, but with a "darker" sound. Responds quickly with no break-in time required.
Tone Wood Information
Here are a few sites that have great information on tonewoods.
- Dana Bourgeois - link
- Regarding Top Woods by James Goodall - link
- Hawaii Forest Industry Association (HFIA) - link
- Ko'olau Guitar & Ukulele Company - link
- Growing Koa: A Hawaiian Legacy Tree - link
- Martin Guitar - link
- Mayes Guitars - (Start with this site) link
- Dream Guitars - (a mirror of the information on John Mayes's site) link
- Taylor Guitars - link
- Santa Cruz Guitar Company - link
- Ervin Somogyi - link
- Road Toad Music - link NEW
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