Demystifying Tonewoods | What's the Difference Between Guitar Woods?

[@briankotak403]

As a person who, in my mid 50s, is just starting to look for my first guitar, you and Cooper have provided so much great advice and knowledge. Quality videos like these are rare because they take time and effort. Super job! You provide an amazing service to us newbies!

[@scott96999]

I've watched so many of your vids lately that I woke up at 3am with all of your riffs in a battle royale in my brain. Thank you?

[@sallybowles2781]

ahahah that happened to me too!

[@WolfCat5102]

That was EXCELLENT! Thank you for the detailed information and sound samples. You rock, Chris, as always.

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks!!!

[@davidbartch8917]

Worth more than a thumbs up! I agree

[@DonaldGliniecki]

​@@AlamoMusic¹¹¹¹¹+¹

[@arpee915]

I’ve never seen a more informative video on tonewoods. Thank you for your knowledge, and this wonderful production!

[@AlamoMusic]

My pleasure!

[@michaeldeaves7566]

Thanks professor Chris for the master class in woods!!!

[@AlamoMusic]

Any time!

[@howardmceachern6614]

Excellent presentation on tonewoods. I particularly like is the demonstration, playing, of the different options. Thanks Chris.

[@AlamoMusic]

Many thanks!

[@bove6767]

I've recently got into playing acoustic guitar and started off with a 50 dollar guitar since I have zero experience with any instrument for that matter and your videos really help me understand the guitar world. I really love your vids bro!

[@AlamoMusic]

Thank you so much! Comments like this mean a lot!

[@markfrost2707]

Always buy the best guitar you can afford. It makes learning .u h easier

[@wheninroamful]

Are you still playing? I hope so, and if so, what is your main guitar and which one is your 'dream' guitar?

[@fredflinstone3173]

Chris has been knocking it out of the park with these educational videos 👍

[@AlamoMusic]

Why Thank you!

[@terrylstarks]

This proves what I believe you and a lot of UTube guitar shows say!!!!!!! With an acoustic guitar especially, you’ve got to sit down in a quiet, with no one around, so no matter how your level of experience is. You can try out a bunch of guitars, with these different types of wood combinations and find the one you absolutely love and will be inspired pick up and play every day for the rest of your life!!!!!! Or until you find the next one!!!!!!!! Chris, Thanks for another great show!!!!!!!!!!

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for the support!

[@texhaines9957]

Great explanations! Not only is one's ear & aging involved, but so is voice if you sing with/for others. Sometimes you need more than one guitar because your voice sounds different. I'm not a sales person but I do sing and use different guitars for different songs & tunings.

[@redson425]

Great point.

[@AlamoMusic]

Great tip!

[@edgirovasi8596]

Another terrific video from Chris & Alamo Music. I have Rosewood and Maple guitars but I’m really loving that Mahogany sound. Looks like I’ll be shopping again!

[@rickpearlstein6421]

Outstanding! Thank you. Late 50's guy here been playing a bit over a month now on a Fender C60 and looking for my forever guitar. This is a great video for us plebes. Thanks again.

[@Sweepdog700]

This is excellent information. I Like the equalizer smiley face frown explanation. Great job!

[@AlamoMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RohitSguitar]

Great video, Chris! I think videos like these about body shape and tonewoods allow someone to better understand what (and why) guitars sound like when they play them, but nothing quite beats playing a bunch of guitars to find out what you like. Really glad you mentioned bracing/builder as well which doesn't seem to get as much discussion on its influence on tone. In searching for a new guitar a few years ago I played a ton of guitars and found that while I loved the rich bass of rosewood, my ear didn't like the high treble. Turns out I much prefer the warm mid-range sound of mahogany, either with spruce or mahogany top :-)

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for commenting! Glad to hear you found a wood you liked!

[@ianhamilton9634]

Well Chris. this is an excellent reference video, well explained and detailed. Thank you.

[@AlamoMusic]

Very welcome

[@TheGianfelippe]

Best video about tonewoods ever recorded! Congrats Chris!

[@stephenblyskal5666]

Chris, great job on this video. In my 14 guitars I have many of the top/back combinations you mentioned and I see the same differences. I have spruce (Sitka, lutz, European) , cedar, koa, and mahogany tops and a variety of tonewoods besides the big three. Depending on my mood, and whether I want to finger pick or use a pick, I gravitate towards one guitar or another. Your explanations hang together very well. I am a long time reader of Wood and Steel and have absorbed much of the information put there. You did a great job distilling it down to its essence.

[@AlamoMusic]

Appreciate the comliment!

[@prodbyevadwave]

Rich

[@billbailey9833]

Another brilliant, information packed, and well presented video. I learned a lot. Now I understand why some of my guitars remain in the case and others are played regularly.

[@leesanders1619]

Thanks you for this video. I’ve been playing for 30 years and never really understood the differences in the combinations available.

[@tangoblue]

Bonjour from Canada! 🇨🇦 You would make an amazing first music teacher for kids, Chris. You would get everybody comfortable, interested and off on the right foot.

[@charlottesimonin2551]

Fascinating discussion., really makes the point that playing a guitar id the first step to finding the sound you really want!

[@penuttbj]

That was the most straightforward explanation one can find on youtube. Super useful and highly appreciated. Thank you so much. I have make my mind on which will be my next acoustic (Taylor) guitar.

[@AlamoMusic]

Glad it helped!

[@justiceraminarman]

Just picked up a 614ce LTD the other week. This video, combined with the tonewood breakdowns in Wood and Steel, helped tremendously to understand tonewoods! The attack and responsiveness discussion was particularly useful. Thank you for this detailed explanation!

[@Rideflylaugh]

This guy is just awesome! So articulate, descriptive, helpful and just a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for all your great videos!

[@jordanforever2345]

Chris. You rock. Thanks for taking the time to explain with your crash course on tone wood.

[@mountainman4774]

Excellent presentation. I’ve played hundreds of different guitars over the last 55 years, and I thought I knew just about all there is to know about tone woods, but I learned a few things from you that I never knew. (Yep, I thought maple was bright; now I know!) I hope that the main thing new players take away from this is that there is no one perfect combination. The best advice I ever heard on choosing a guitar came from the great Irish luthier George Lowden: “Pick the one that speaks to you."

[@Hefdaily]

This was the best explanation of tonewoods that I’ve ever come across. It’s really helped me understand what I’m hearing. Thank you so much for sharing

[@pdevans3904]

OMG! This helped so much. I never knew why the 600 series Taylor appealed to me so much until now. They stopped making the 616 I wanted but I can now see why. The 614 with Maple back and sides fills the void perfectly. Thanks Chris McKee once again!

[@colingreen8475]

Another point to consider is that acoustic guitars sound really different when you play them yourself to when you hear someone else playing them. That's why they are so fascinating. Great video, bravo Chris.

[@AlamoMusic]

Many thanks!

[@Mephilis78]

Are you referring to how sound travels, and a person's position relative to the sound holes?

[@KibatsuMusic]

Most informative video on tonewoods on youtube. Fully went into the science and sonic experiences of each type of wood and how they even vary between manufacturers. Thanks so much!

[@rageagainsthememe71]

The clarity of the Taylor guitars blew me away! I was a bit disappointed by the martins, but they're all awesome guitars! Thanks for such a detailed guide

[@AlamoMusic]

My pleasure!

[@biswasronit]

I like the brighter upper range of a Taylor more.

[@alexChook]

This was so well explained. Hats off to you and massive thank you. I recently bought a Maton All Blackwood 808 Cutaway and now it makes sense how there's less bass but more mids and highs in the tone I hear.

[@AlamoMusic]

Glad it helped!

[@phlipbs]

Awesome presentation, Chris. You are an excellent speaker and I love your detailed explanations -- and your wonderful guitar playing!! I own a Martin HD-28, a Taylor 914ce, and a new 324ce BE. I've been playing each one today with delight, appreciating and enjoying the tonal differences of each. Fun. Thanks!

[@AlamoMusic]

So glad to hear that!

[@BottleneckMoses]

Phenominal explanation - best I've seen. Thank you!

[@mike-qz1nw]

In the uk we have something called The Open University. In the USA Chris looks to be doing that job on his own. I am about to commission a guitar from a luthier for the first time. It will likely be my last guitar so any information I can give the maker will increase my chances of getting what I’m dreaming of. I’m so grateful that you spent the time and care to put this vid together in such an informed and objective way so as to teach me how to understand such a subjective issue. Big thanks

[@johnhastingsinfo]

What guitar design did you go for Mike?

[@josejcastaneda5826]

A very good explanation for the tops and the sides with the EQ sample. Chris really takes the time to explain this things. I feel that I am back in school, paying attention to the teacher.

[@locngo]

Outstanding observation on Spruce and Cedar response. This man knows.

[@Tigerex966]

This is an excellent informative presentation. Should be required for novices and pros alike. Thanks much.

[@AlamoMusic]

Glad you think so!

[@Dutchtraordinary_Living]

Completely agree! I wish my local guitar sales people would be more aware/ better able to explain these kinds of things. Thank you for the excellent masterclass in tonewoods :)

[@davidburna1655]

Thanks for this, Chris. Based on your tutorial, I have developed a whole new appreciation for maple. I also understand better why I never warmed up to my 90's Martin D-35.

[@georgekiapos1]

Thank you for taking the time to share a comprehensive presentation of guitar tone wood differences. Very professional and considerate to the curious or discerning guitarist. 🙏

[@chrishawyes1476]

Your finger picking on the Furch is outstanding. Love the sound of the cedar top.

[@sergioserramusic]

Probably the best video about this Chris! Thank you ❤️ (to all you guys searching for the right guitar I also recommend the video Massimo Varini did about tonewoods)

[@fourocker]

What a great video, so informative and interesting. Mostly my ear is drawn to the sound of the Mahogany/Spruce combo but recently I've discovered my Maple/Spruce jumbo sounds fantastic in double drop D tuning, now I think I can understand why thanks to this informative video, it never occurred to me to try it in that tuning before.

[@therazorscooterkings]

I just started play acoustic guitar and I find the differences in all the different tone woods and body shape very interest so thank you for the awesome video!

[@AlamoMusic]

Welcome!

[@johnwashburn3793]

You could have done that in my guitar room. I don't know why I watched this whole thing, but much love to Chris. Now I know why I like what I do D18GE, etc

[@johnwashburn3793]

Okay, I just watched the entire video and I don't have a maple back.

[@GeorgeVardas]

Excellent presentation on tone woods. Your explication helped for me to finally understand what these different woods are doing in the top and the back and sides of the guitar. With hearing loss of the higher frequencies, your explanation of how mahogany and similar tone woods are emphasizing the mid and lower frequencies that I can still hear while my rosewood guitars don't sound as good as they did when I had excellent hearing. I will need to sell my rosewood Taylors and invest in mahogany instruments.Thank you so much!

[@larryhinton3032]

I just watched this video and was informed and impressed with the different woods. I just bought my first guitar which has a spruce top and mahogany back, sides and neck. I'm 79 years old and I have rather short fingers, but I want to at least get the basics.

[@jay_watch]

Fantastic explanation of a very confusing topic in a very understandable way👌🏼

[@randybecker7339]

Chris, thank you for the explanation. I have always been rather confused about these differences but previous "explanations" didn't define their terms as you have done. The "smile" and "frown" visual really helped a lot! Great job! And I love your playing too!

[@AlamoMusic]

You're very welcome! Thanks!

[@iamerighi]

I've been studying for month to build my forst guitar after a couple of Uke and let me tell you this is the best video I'v seen around. Subbed

[@rosssteuck4989]

Chris..... What you do ....Sooo well INFOMATION !!!!! thank you..love your videos Stay well.

[@AlamoMusic]

Glad you like them!

[@vishantchauhan2567]

Man, you are so generous for imparting knowledge and clearing doubts. Thanks from India.

[@janrandles8683]

I am a Taylor player and have different tonewoods made by Taylor. Recently I ran across a red cedar top and blackwood back and sides made by Maton. All I can say is that guitar sound is mesmerizing. Not sure if it is the tonewoods or their pickup but I can hardly put it down. Thanks Chris for this info. Just love acoustics and this was very informative. 🙏 Perhaps as you said it has to do with my aging hearing at 68 😉.

[@CliveDartmoor]

This is a fantastic video.. I'm going to purchase my next guitar from you guys!

[@AlamoMusic]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@glorioskiola]

Great discussion! I love the sound of the rosewood back and sides.

[@ibanezas83]

As always, personable and excellent presentation of the content. Concise and spot on. I have Martins, a Gibson & Taylor and you nailed how they are truly unique - even when the top & back and sides are exactly same. Continue the great work with these videos!

[@gosman949]

And here is another Jay G. Which guitar do you like the best?

[@ibanezas83]

@@gosman949 Martin. Hands down. Sold the Gibson. Now own 3 Martins.

[@1966neal]

Superb performance 🎉 I just bought a used Alvarez artist elite. Sitka spruce to maple back and sides. The salesman said it was bright. You are correct sir, it’s a balanced guitar. My hat 🎩 off to you. I’m going to order Alamo swag, so I can promote your channel and store in California. Thanks again.

[@h1orxrah]

Alamo Music and Chris - thank you for this and all the other videos. You are such a great resource and the information provided is greatly appreciated. I'm becoming an Alamo customer just to keep the videos coming!

[@tazmanwow]

Amazing explanation! You break it down nicely. I can easily visualize it when you mentioned the graphic equalizer. Thanks!

[@anthonyb2334]

Chris- I don’t know how I missed this video when it came out. This video is fantastic! The way you explain and present these guitars and the tone wood differences really make it easier to understand. As a 68 year old dude who has tried, and purchased nearly 100 guitars trying to find that perfect combination of woods, my personal experience mimics what you say. Unfortunately, it took me thousands of dollars buying and selling off models trying to find “the sound”. They way you explained it, helps a lot. Even after my own experiences, I learned a lot from this. Thank you

[@huwmorgan51]

I'm doing an Alamo marathon and learning about woods, sizes and brands. Chris, you are fantastic at explaining all the differences between guitars.

[@daveeastcott9323]

Incredible video dude and also love the persona and presentation style. Great work!

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks a ton!

[@antonioleone422]

Thanks Chris. That really demystify the tonewood, particularly on the back and side.

[@summerville56789]

I wish I had saw this video before I purchased my guitar. Excellent video.

[@peterbourke1355]

Excellent review, congratulations,my favourite was the Taylor 614 Maple

[@AlamoMusic]

Good choice!

[@garethjohn2281]

Thank you that was the best explanation of tone woods I have seen! Brilliant video - has made understanding acoustic guitars much easier.

[@dharmapadma]

I've gone most of my life in the dark about the nuances of tone woods and construction. Chris takes this to another level - I feel like I understand what I like about the tones I hear. I'm shopping for a guitar and this video will go a long way in helping me in my search. Just brilliant, thank you!

[@brickwallpaper]

You are so articulate and knowledgeable which is probably why I watch lots of your videos,, 👍

[@ruthmanning9818]

Applause 👋👋👋 Really needed to understand the difference between guitars since I am new to wanting one. Best guitar music to listen to these days. Thanks for the entertainment of nice Melodies to Guage the sounds. Truly a Delight. 2022

[@slbolfing56]

Really good, informative video! Great job, Chris - thanks!!!

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Thank you. Awesome video. Appreciate you putting it together for us. Blessings to you

[@GRJ-uz7kf]

Thanks. Admittedly an impossible topic. Comparing instruments of different makes and designs, amplified electronically and listened to online, is silly. But your intelligent discussion of hardness/softness (physics) is very helpful, the best I've heard. I especially like the graphic "curves."

[@fruitychink]

Wonderful explanation . I am fascinated by the different tonal qualities of wood but always struggle to fully understand . I am a very basic guitarist but own many instruments and just love their differences . Well done for a good session ,

[@fredcox961]

That was very helpful. At 72, I find I still prefer Martins as much as I did when I bought my D-28S (spruce/rosewood) at age 20. However, as I start to lose some of my upper frequency hearing, Taylors sound sweeter to me than they did. You also help me understand the difference in sound from my spruce top classical versus my cedar top classical. I love them both, but they are different. Now I would love to hear your explanation of the acoustics of semi-hollow and fully-hollow body electrics, for example why some have such great sustain and others not. Thank you for your videos!

[@MarkRobinsonMusic]

The explanation about frequency is just so helpful, and your playing...it makes me want to play more instrumental rather than my usual singer-songwriter stuff. Brilliant, Chris 👌

[@arthurallen7868]

What an incredible video. You put on tonewood CLINIC!

[@mikewoods1622]

Chris, Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge. I really enjoy your work.

[@quinn1044]

What a fantastic video! Tonewoods can feel a bit conceptually woowoo af times, so I love the clear and *scientific* explanations of what actually constitutes tone. Thanks for this -- and for my newfound, deeply excruciating yearning for a cedar top guitar 😢

[@el-fingerstyle388]

You are very lucky can touch & play with such a many great guitar Sir, we just see on picture & video. Thanks for sharing the difference quality of the guitar. I hope I can buy the Taylor 517 someday. 💚🙏

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Great video, Chris! 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@tonymac7272]

I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos Chris! They are all informative and I learn on every one of them. Thank you! Tony Mac, Lititz PA

[@lenjanssen9600]

Nice explanation. One thing you didn't mention, that I think influences how people hear a guitar is their expectation, If they grow up around the "Martin" sound, that's what they associate with a "Guitar" and hence anything that doesn't sound like a "Martin" , doesn't sound like a good "Guitar" to them. (substitute and brand for "Martin"). Any difference from expectation is considered not as good.. It's interesting the interaction of top wood, sides & backs, bracing, body shape and expectations have on how guitars sound.

[@RogerThat902]

Great point. I grew up on with music where the guitar was seen as more of background accompaniment for the voice. As a result, I tend to like more a mellower guitar. The sound of a flat picked, jangling spruce top guitar often sounds harsh to my ears. In my mind I always associated that sound w/ a "cheap" guitar. As I got older, I was surprised to learn that sound was highly sought after by many players and is probably associated w/ a more expensive guitar hah

[@1olddoggie]

I agree completely. Most Taylor's have too much Treble for me. It's just that I have heard more Martin's and I became acclimated to the deeper bass sounds. But there are several Taylors that I love!

[@redson425]

Excellent point. I grew up listening to Martins, so thats the sound that I associate with. These days I'm more associating with a Maton. Maybe that's the age thing he talks about.

[@AlamoMusic]

Great point!

[@dxcman1]

Very nice Vid my aerodynamic friend. Really well put together. oh... and the physics mention in the video pleased the inner nerd in me :-)

[@AlamoMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@TheRobsalot]

As always incredible depth on the subject. Thank you! With the rise of walnut especially with Gibsons more affordable G series, do you think you could do something more on that?

[@AlamoMusic]

Great idea! Will pass this on!

[@wilkiecoco]

This is the best video I've seen after spending a week being obsessed with the possibility of buying a new guitar. I've got a Taylor 614ce, and I'm thinking about getting a Martin D--28 to go along with it, and I'm trying to decide if I really need to be doing this. Your explanation of the tonewoods was amazing!! Thanks for this.

[@r.jlovely]

This video is best for beginner who start learning about Guitar

[@WilliamDR10]

those are the infos i've been searching for for so long... really, thanks! thank you so freaking much

[@thebadness6217]

damn this video is 40 minutes long. A lot of work went into this vid lol. Super informative.

[@AlamoMusic]

Chris is a hard working man!

[@jgod7966]

Magnifiquement présentation qui explique avec une grande clarté pédagogique les caractéristiques et spécificités des sons obtenus selon les bois utilisés. Bravo, cette Vidéo répond à beaucoup de questions que je me posais. Merci Jean (France) Beautifully presented which explains with great pedagogical clarity the characteristics and specificities of the sounds obtained according to the woods used. Bravo, this Video answers a lot of questions I was asking myself. Thank you Jean (France)

[@bernardinelermite1133]

So interesting !! Probably the best video I have ever watched on tonewoods characteristics and impact on the instruments sound ! So complete, with clear technical aspects very well explained. I personally only play ukuleles, but luthery and tonewoods have always fascinated me, and most of what you say is applicable to smaller instruments as well. I personally also pay a great attention to strings choice to enhance or tame certain characteristics of the instruments I buy : clear fluorocarbon versus black nylon are both ends of the spectrum from ultra bright "high definition" to more forgiving "dark", round and mellow sound. Thank you so much for this very good content, instructive and very well put together ! 🌷

[@JR-tg1vg]

Excellent review. I have many guitars of different tone woods, and they all serve a different purpose. I have to say, I have really grown to love the balance and warmth of Black Walnut. I have an acoustic with a Sitka spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, and black walnut back and sides, and it is just simple beautiful and amazes me every time I play it...both with flat picking and finger style. I’d love to see you do some videos of guitars with that tone wood sometime. 👍 🎸

[@AlamoMusic]

We'll look into it!

[@JR-tg1vg]

Alamo Music Center Thanks a ton, much appreciated!!! 🍻

[@dougrobinson8602]

Thanks, Chris! Great video demonstrating the sonic characteristics of the tonewoods. I'd say it's one of, if not the best video you've done. I'm really attracted to the sound of the mahogany and maple, but hey, that's just my ears, right? My current guitar is a cheapie, but at least it's a solid top. The first time I strummed it, I thought "Man, that's bright!" One of these days, I'll be looking for a hardwood top. I was actually surprised at how the rosewood didn't do it for me. It's a beautiful rich looking wood, though! Easy to see why it tempts many players. If anyone isn't listening to this through good headphones of a home stereo, they're missing out. The different tones are pretty dramatic.

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for sharing! So glad you liked the video!

[@Katherine-15-12]

Awesome video, my understanding of the tone woods and different sounds from different manufacturers is greatly improved. When i come to see you to buy, i will have an informed idea of what i want. Thank you 👍

[@CraigBeck-w3r]

I really learned a lot from this video. I have a Martin D1 rosewood body and spruce top. When I play through my fender acoustic amp, I have to decrease both the bass and treble to get a warm smooth sound. I am buying another guitar and will probably go to mahogany. Thanks for your input

[@MyChannel-vm6dw]

Well this is a very good video I believe a simple chart on your website explaining all of this as a quick reference would be very useful

[@AlamoMusic]

Great suggestion!

[@flylippfantom8425]

That's some nice playing. They all have their own character. The spruce is brighter response. I always love cedar, the softness of it. The mahogany is just as you say. It seems almost a blend of cedar and spruce.

[@larrygarrett9620]

Great video! I never understood the reasons for the wide range of sounds from different tonewoods. Your explanations made it so much clearer! Thank you!!

[@kellyismusic]

Great info as usual! Fantastic videos. Thank you so much. Being in pandemic whereupon one doesn't go to stores as much to check out in person guitars your videos are very helpful. Thanks again.

[@bighes100]

I love watching this channel, gives a great insight into different guitars & their benefits. I bought a Tanglewood mahogany acoustic for an amazing price and i love the deep rich tone it has... Might change the plastic pins for better one's for an even clearer sound.

[@feragroove]

The most complete information I've ever heard! Thanks mate