Taylor Wood Type
Taylor Wood Type
How different types of wood affect the sound of the guitar
Describing how different types of wood sound in a guitar isn’t exactly difficult – but it rarely tells the whole truth. That’s because an acoustic guitar isn’t made up of just one type of wood, but several: the top, sides, back, neck, fretboard, bridge and even the internal bracing. All of these parts – often made of different types of wood – contribute their own character to the sound.
Wood is to the guitar builder what raw materials are to the chef. Each type of wood has its own properties and "flavor", but it is ultimately about how the guitar builder uses them. Design, construction and craftsmanship play at least as important a role as the choice of materials.
So the next time you want to understand why a guitar sounds the way it does, it might be wise to consider what the guitar builder was actually trying to create – just as you would consider a chef's intention behind a dish.
The role of wood in the guitar's sound – design, durability and tone profiles
In this blog post, we want to highlight the importance of thoughtful guitar design – something that Taylor Guitars’ master designer Andy Powers is constantly refining. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, like Taylor’s groundbreaking V-Class and C-Class bracing, you can truly harness the natural tonal qualities of wood and create instruments that not only sound beautiful, but also feel alive and inspiring to play.
A responsibility for the future
Another important part of Taylor's philosophy is responsible wood use . Because guitar making is dependent on natural resources, Taylor actively works to reduce its impact by:
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Introducing new, less traditional wood species
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Using alternative quality grades to reduce waste
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Replanting woods like ebony and koa for future generations
Not all woods need to be exclusive or "classic" like rosewood or mahogany – many lesser-known woods have fantastic musical properties that come into their own with the right design.
Four ways wood affects a guitar's tone
Andy Powers has identified four main factors that he uses when designing a guitar – and which you can use to understand why different models sound the way they do.
1. Frequency range – where in the soundscape the wood “shines”
Each type of wood has a natural tendency to amplify certain frequencies.
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Rosewood emphasizes both the lows and highs
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Spruce , especially Sitka and Engelmann, provides a clear treble response
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Mahogany has a more focused midrange tone
Think of this as the guitar's EQ profile – how it naturally emphasizes different parts of the sound spectrum.
2. Overtones – richness vs. clarity
Some types of wood contribute very natural overtones, giving a rich, ringing sound.
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Rosewood is known for this
Others instead dampen these overtones and focus more on the fundamental tone. -
Mahogany is drier, more focused – perfect for clear articulation
This affects how "complex" or "clean" the tone feels.
3. Reflectivity – the wood's own character vs. the player's
This is about how much the wood “involves” the sound.
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Maple has a transparent character – it clearly reflects the player's style and the guitar's design
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Rosewood has a strong character of its own – it always colors the sound with its distinctive tone
Think of this as the difference between a chameleon and a brightly colored personality.
4. Touch sensitivity – how quickly the guitar responds
Some tops react immediately to a light touch, while others require a harder playing style.
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Cedar is light and very sensitive – perfect for fingerstyle
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Adirondack spruce has high strength and requires more attack, but also provides more powerful response
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Mahogany tops have low touch sensitivity and natural compression, which is suitable for heavier players
Summary
The sound of a guitar isn't just about the type of wood used - it's about the combination of materials, construction and craftsmanship . Taylor's vision, led by Andy Powers, is to not only create great-sounding instruments, but to do so in a sustainable and future-proof way .
By understanding these four tonal profiles – frequency range, harmonics, reflectivity and touch sensitivity – you as a guitarist will have a better basis for finding the guitar that suits your playing style and sound.
Solid wood vs. Layered "Plywood" wood - what's the difference?
One of the most important differences between different guitar models is the type of wood used – specifically whether it is solid or layered wood.
Solid wood – for deeper tone and better sound over time
Solid wood, used in the top of all Taylor guitars, produces a richer and more complex tone . The great thing about solid wood is that the sound matures over time , meaning the guitar only gets better the more you play it. This makes solid tops the obvious choice for anyone who wants a living, evolving instrument.
layered wood – smart construction for durability and affordability
On Taylor 200 series models and below , layered wood is used for the back and sides . This means that the wood consists of a core in the middle with thinner surface layers on both sides . This construction offers several advantages:
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Efficient use of wood resources
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Increased durability and stability thanks to cross-laid fiber direction
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Affordable instruments without compromising on feel and appearance
By combining solid tops with laminated sides and backs, Taylor is able to offer high playing quality even in its more affordable models , without sacrificing design or durability. A perfect choice for those who want a lot of guitar for their money – and an instrument that will last a long time.