What guitar woods are endangered?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) casualty list makes worrying reading for many exotics that happen to wind up in guitars: many are critically endangered; Cuban mahogany and wenge – endangered; Spanish cedar, cocobolo, Macassar ebony, khaya (African mahogany), Honduran mahogany, okoume, sapele.

Is Rosewood The best tonewood?

Rosewoods. Rosewood, which takes the name from its characteristic floral scent, is an ideal tonewood for backs and sides. “Rosewood is dense and heavy compared to other woods—almost so heavy that it sinks in water,” Boak says. “And it produces extremely warm and resonant tones.”

Which is better spruce or mahogany?

Mahogany will produce a deeper warmer tone than the spruce top will but even the spruce top will become warmer with age but not as warm as the Mahogany top. Spruce would be the best choice if you are looking for a brighter sound.

Is tonewood real?

Yes. It’s about the wood or, more accurately, which tonewood is used to make the guitar actually and if that wood actually affects the guitars sound. These special qualities have been used for centuries to create and build various instruments with differing levels of success.

Is it legal to own ebony?

In most countries, these are illegal to harvest. In fact, ebony can now only be found from one country in bulk, the small Eastern African country of Cameroon.

Is ebony rare?

Ebony wood, species Diospyros crassiflora, (sometimes also referred to as zebrawood) is the most expensive, rarest and most exotic type of wood in the world. For centuries, especially the past 500 years, ebony wood has been the most prized possession at royal courts.

Is Cedar a good tonewood?

It gives smooth, warm tone for fingerpicking and strumming. Cedar tends to get even better sounding with age, as do many woods.

Is NATO a good wood for guitar?

It is a reliable, strong wood. It’s also a value-priced wood used more in the lower cost instruments. However, Nato still embodies all of the properties of more commonly used, and more expensive, Mahogany.

Is Cedar good for guitars?

Traditionally used on classical guitars, cedar is becoming increasingly common in steel-string instruments. It’s a less dense wood than spruce, providing you with a slightly darker tone. Cedar tends to produce slightly richer overtones, and this results in a tone with less sparkle but more character.