tone wood
The specific type of wood used in instrument construction, believed to significantly affect the instrument's sound.
In Depth
Different woods have different densities, grain structures, and resonant properties that influence an instrument's tonal character. Spruce is favoured for guitar and violin tops because of its high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Mahogany produces a warm, midrange-focused tone. Maple is bright and articulate. Rosewood provides rich bass and sparkling treble. The selection of tone woods is a fundamental decision in instrument building, though debate persists about how much wood choice matters in electric guitars.
The tonewood debate in electric guitars is one of the most heated arguments in music; some insist wood type is crucial to electric guitar tone while others argue that pickups and electronics matter far more.