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Our Tonewoods
All of our tonewoods are solid wood, and inherently unique. Even within a species, every piece is going to differ some
what from one another. The grain pattern, color, shade, weight, and density are all subject to nature. This does not necessarily make one piece better or worse than another, it means that they are simply different and unique. The sonic properties of tonewood vary dramatically between species, weight and density. Generally speaking, the heavier woods sustain
well and have a bright and articulate sound which are all good attributes for musical instruments. Extra light weight
woods can sound indistinct or muddy. Medium weight woods fall in the middle and are the traditional preference. Compromises may be found by chambering or hollowing the heavier woods, these bodies remain stiff, but light weight for that
fat, rich tone with great sustain. Below is a sample of the tonewoods we presently offer, and suggestions for choosing a
balanced Body & Top that will produce optimum tone. If there is something else your after and don’t see, (ie. more exotics) please don’t hesitate to ask, because we may be able to find it for you.
Our Tonewoods for Bodies
Honduran Mahogany (swietenia macropyllia)
Mahogany has sometimes been considered a "poor man's choice", but there is now a great appreciation for
its unique tonal qualities. It seems that mahogany ages well and its true value may not reveal itself until a
few years have passed. This is especially true when it is used as a top wood. Mahogany's trademark tone
is a powerful midrange, with great punch and character. Very sought after for its even texture and grain.
Suggested Tops: Mahogany, Maple, Koa, Padauk, Spruce
African Khaya Mahogany (khaya ivorensis)
African Khaya Mahogany looks more like Honduran, but is generally a little softer, but tonally very
similar. It is a medium to heavy weight wood. African Khaya Mahogany is a fine grained wood with
great musical properties. The tone is warm and full with good sustain.
Suggested Tops: Mahogany, Maple, Koa, Padauk, Spruce
Primavera (cybistax donnell-smithii)
Primavera sometimes called white or blonde mahogany grows in Central America and Mexico. It is
creamy white to yellowish rose, sometimes tinted with pale brown, orange or pinkish stripes. Primavera
is strong, medium textured, with straight to interlocking and wavy grain, sometimes with a ribbon or
fiddle-back figure or even subtle Mahogany like grain patterns. Tonally Primavera is similar to Honduras
Mahogany. Weighing less than Mahogany, it has been used on many high-end basses and has a very
even response and strong midrange tonality.
Suggested Tops: Mahogany, Maple, Koa, Padauk, Spruce
Swamp Ash (fraxinus americana)
Swamp Ash is a prized wood for many reasons. It is a fairly light weight wood which makes it easily
distinguishable from Hard Ash. The grain is open and the color is creamy. It is a very musical wood
offering quick response, firm bass and rich sparkling highs, very nice balance of brightness and warmth
with a lot of "pop".
Suggested Tops: Maple, Myrtle, Makore, Padauk, Spruce, Walnut
Alder (alnus rubra)
Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight and its full sound. Alder's natural color
is a light tan with little or no distinct grain lines. The tone is reputed to be most balanced with equal doses
of lows, mids and highs. A clear finish is not recommended, but looks good with a sunburst or solid color
finish.
Suggested Tops: Koa, Spruce
Most of our tonewoods are sustainably harvested from planned forestry programs.
Our Tonewoods for Tops
Honduran Mahogany (swietenia macropyllia)
Mahogany has sometimes been considered a "poor man's choice", but there is now a great appreciation for its unique
tonal qualities. It seems that mahogany ages well and its true value may not reveal itself until a few years have
passed. This is especially true when it is used as a top wood. Mahogany's trademark tone is a powerful midrange,
with great punch and character.
Hawaiian Koa (acacia koa)
Koa is a very beautiful wood that comes exclusively from Hawaii making supply very limited. Its weight varies
somewhat from medium to heavy and is an excellent tone wood for bass. Koa has a warm sound similar to mahogany,
but with a little more brightness. Koa is sometimes available in flame figure.
African Padauk (pterocarpus soyauxii)
Padauk falls between Rosewood and Mahogany. Bright vivid orange color which oxidizes to a warm brown with use.
This waxy feeling wood has an open grain texture similar to rosewood and a tone similar to maple with great mids and
attack. This is a heavy to medium weight wood that looks great with an oil finish or clear gloss.
Oregon Myrtle (mbellularia californica)
Oregon Myrtle and California Laurel are the same species, however the temperate rainforest and high mineral content
soil of the South Oregon Coast generally produces a larger tree with a much greater variety of color and grain configuration. It is an extremely hard wood with an interlocking grain. Its density and hardness ranges between Mahogany
and Rosewood, its tonal response has a lot of clarity and sustain, often compared to Mahogany and Koa. Myrtle wood
occurs in beautifully figured and burled patterns, and in a wide range of colors. Tonally, it has superb projection and
sustain, and a very full and beautifully balanced sound.
California Walnut (juglans californica)
Walnut is between Mahogany and Rosewood in tone and timbre. Strong fundamentals plus some of the bottom end of
a Rosewood, to the tone you would expect from Mahogany. Luxurious coloring and grain patterns are the earmarks
of Walnut. Whether using an oil finish or a deep clear gloss, the pleasing appeal of Walnut always delivers. Walnut is
in the heavy weight category but it's not quite as heavy as hard maple. It has a similar sound to hard maple but it tends
not to be as bright.
African Makore (mimusops heckelii)
Makore (pronounced mack-KORE-ray) has a broad, shimmering beeswing figure and ribbony grain lines; a sure fire “eye
catcher”. The color is similar to Mahogany, but it is less porous and a little denser, imparting a somewhat deeper tone.
Pacific Flame Maple (acer macrophyllum-pacific maple)
Flame, Fiddle-Back or Tiger maple all generally refer to curls (or stripes) as illustrated here. Flame can be tight, wide,
straight or crooked. Tonally sharp mids and high ends.
Pacific Quilted Maple (acer macrophyllum-pacific maple)
Quilted maple is a more rare form of figure occurring mostly in western maple. It is distinguished by its billowing
cloud or even popcorn appearance. This figure can vary from large, wide billows to tight small blisters. Tonally sharp
mids and high ends.
Eastern Birdseye Maple (acer saccharum-hard maple)
This figure is only found in the eastern hard maple trees. Birdseye does not usually run deep in the boards, but can be
quite striking. Tonally sharp mids and high ends.
Spalted Maple (acer macrophyllum-pacific maple)
This wood is actually the product of a dead or decaying tree. The dark lines are created by fungal attack. Each piece of
Spalted maple is quite unique. Tonally sharp mids and high ends.
Bearclaw Sitka Spruce (picea sitchensis)
Bearclaw is the name given to the figuring sometimes found in Spruce, as it looks like a bear has clawed it. Usually a
sign of the boards being cut fully on the quarter, and therefore a sign of quality. Sitka Spruce is preferred for its
strength & tough elasticity. Sitka has a punchy strong focused tone with lower overtones making it less complex, but
more direct in its delivery.