Introduction
As a guitar player, one thing that always comes to mind when considering upgrading or changing your instrument is the tonewood used. There are numerous tonewoods available, some more common than others. While some tonewoods are readily available, some are less common, making them exotic tonewoods. But can switching to exotic guitar woods drastically change your sound? This blog post dives into this topic, exploring several exotic tonewoods and the impact they have on guitar sound.
Table of Contents
I. Quick Summary
II. What are exotic guitar woods?
III. Brazilian Rosewood
IV. African Blackwood
V. Macassar Ebony
VI. Conclusion
VII. FAQ
Quick Summary
This blog post explores the impact of exotic guitar woods on sound. It takes a closer look at tonewoods such as Brazilian Rosewood, African Blackwood, and Macassar Ebony, examining their tonal characteristics and how they affect guitar sound. Through this post, we can better understand the benefits of exotic guitar woods for those looking to enhance their guitar’s sound.
What are exotic guitar woods?
Exotic guitar woods are tonewoods that are not commonly used or are rare. These tonewoods are often more expensive to obtain than common tonewoods and are often associated with high-end guitars. Exotic woods offer different sound properties to more commonly used tonewoods and can significantly change the sound of a guitar.
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood is a tonewood that is highly prized for its exceptional tonal properties. Brazilian Rosewood’s sound profile includes a clear, balanced, and rich voice that is well articulated. It has an excellent string to string definition, accentuated by crystal clear highs, high overtone content, and a deep, low-end resonance. Its tonal properties give a guitar a unique voice that is highly sought-after.
Guitars made from Brazilian Rosewood are often associated with premium high-end guitars. Brazilian Rosewood is a scarce tonewood and has been banned for use in guitar manufacturing since 1992. While guitars made before this date with Brazilian Rosewood are still highly sought-after and expensive, finding new guitars made from Brazilian Rosewood is challenging.
African Blackwood
African Blackwood is a hard and heavy tonewood that produces a well-defined and cutting tone. Its tonal properties include a sharp, clear, and articulate voice with high overtone content, a solid mid-range presence, and a well-rounded low-end resonance. African Blackwood’s tonal characteristics make it an ideal tonewood for those looking for a well-balanced sound.
While African Blackwood is not as rare as Brazilian Rosewood, it is still an uncommon tonewood. Nevertheless, guitars made from African Blackwood are becoming more prevalent, and its tonal qualities are favored by luthiers worldwide.
Macassar Ebony
Macassar Ebony is a unique tonewood that offers a robust and expressive voice. Its tonal profile includes pronounced highs, a solid mid-range presence, and a well-rounded low end. Its voice is distinct, with clear and articulate note definition.
Macassar Ebony is becoming more popular and is often utilized by luthiers as a substitute for the rarer tonewoods. Its availability makes it an excellent option for those looking for an exotic tonewood that is more readily available.
Conclusion
Exotic tonewoods offer a unique tonal profile that significantly enhances the sound of a guitar. Brazilian Rosewood’s sound profile includes a clear, balanced, and rich voice that is well articulated. African Blackwood produces a well-defined and cutting tone, and Macassar Ebony offers a robust and expressive voice. While these tonewoods may be more expensive or less available than common tonewoods, their tonal qualities make them excellent for those looking to take their guitar playing to the next level.
FAQ
Q: Can exotic guitar woods be used on any type of guitar?
A: Yes, exotic tonewoods can be used on any type of guitar. However, some tonewoods may be better suited for certain guitar types than others.
Q: Are exotic guitar woods for acoustic or electric guitars?
A: Exotic guitar woods can be used for both acoustic and electric guitars.
Q: Are exotic guitar woods better than common tonewoods?
A: Exotic guitar woods offer different sound properties than more commonly used tonewoods. Whether they are better or not depends on individual preferences.
Q: Where can I find guitars made from exotic tonewoods?
A: Guitars made from exotic tonewoods can often be found at high-end guitar stores or custom guitar makers.
Q: Are exotic guitar woods more expensive than common tonewoods?
A: Yes, exotic guitar woods are often more expensive than common tonewoods due to their rarity and unique tonal qualities.
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