When it comes to acoustic guitars, most players naturally focus on the top wood, often called the soundboard, believing it's the primary factor that shapes the instrument’s voice. While the top certainly plays a crucial role, the guitar back and sides are equally important in influencing tonal characteristics. These components work in harmony to define resonance, warmth, clarity, and projection. Whether you're a seasoned player or a new enthusiast, understanding the impact of various tonewoods—especially premium options like figured maple guitar back and sides—can help you make more informed choices at your favorite tonewood shop.
The Role of Guitar Back and Sides in Tonal Quality
How They Contribute to Sound
The guitar back and sides don’t directly create sound the way the top does, but they shape how sound resonates inside the guitar body. They act as reflective surfaces that help focus and amplify the vibrations from the top. This reflection enhances sustain, projection, and tonal depth. Think of the back and sides as the frame that supports the main speaker (the soundboard) and boosts its performance.
The density, grain pattern, and stiffness of the wood used for the back and sides all contribute to how these vibrations are controlled and enriched. This is why guitar builders often visit a tonewood shop to hand-select woods that complement their designs and desired tonal goals.
Popular Woods Used for Guitar Back and Sides
Rosewood
Rosewood is a classic tonewood known for its rich, complex overtones and strong bass response. It offers a warm, balanced tone that suits many playing styles. Brazilian and Indian rosewood are two commonly used types, with Brazilian often seen as the more coveted due to its acoustic richness and scarcity.
Mahogany
Mahogany provides a punchier and more focused tone with excellent midrange. It's a great choice for blues and folk players who want clarity without an overpowering low end. Mahogany tends to absorb more vibration, giving it a drier sound compared to rosewood.
Maple
Among the various maple types, figured maple guitar back and sides are particularly prized. Maple produces a bright, crisp sound with incredible clarity. The “figured” aspect refers to unique grain patterns like flame, quilt, or birdseye, which not only enhance the visual appeal but also slightly influence the stiffness and resonance. These attributes make figured maple ideal for players looking for note separation and brilliance in their tone.
When you walk into a tonewood shop, you’ll often find premium selections of figured maple because of its popularity among luthiers and custom builders.
Why Figured Maple Guitar Back and Sides Are Special
Visual Elegance and Unique Tone
What sets figured maple guitar back and sides apart is not just their tonal brightness, but also their stunning aesthetic. Flame maple, with its wavy lines that shift in the light, and quilted maple, with its almost 3D-like appearance, can transform a guitar into a visual masterpiece. But it’s not just about looks.
Tonally, maple’s dense, non-porous structure allows for quick sound reflection. This results in a dry, articulate tone that’s especially favored for recording because it cuts through a mix cleanly. This makes maple an excellent choice for fingerstyle guitarists and those who require tonal precision.
If you’re shopping at a high-end tonewood shop, you’ll likely be drawn to the premium figured maple options due to their blend of visual beauty and tonal articulation.
Matching Tonewood with Playing Style
When selecting wood for your guitar back and sides, consider your playing style and musical genre.
- Strummers and performers often benefit from rosewood or mahogany due to their warmth and full-bodied response.
- Fingerstyle players might gravitate toward figured maple guitar back and sides for their clarity and articulation.
- Recording artists usually prefer maple’s defined tone that doesn't get lost in a mix.
Consulting a knowledgeable luthier or specialist at a tonewood shop can help match you with the ideal wood type for your needs.
How to Choose the Right Wood at a Tonewood Shop
Evaluate Your Needs and Budget
Start by setting clear expectations. Are you building a custom guitar, upgrading, or buying a new instrument altogether? If aesthetics are as important to you as tone, then figured maple guitar back and sides offer a beautiful blend of both.
At a tonewood shop, check for consistency in grain, moisture content, and any structural defects. Always ask for a sound comparison if possible, as even two pieces of the same wood species can sound different based on how they’re cut and cured.
Caring for Guitars with Premium Back and Sides
Whether you’ve opted for figured maple guitar back and sides or another tonewood, proper care is essential to maintain tonal quality and appearance. Wood is sensitive to humidity and temperature, so store your guitar in a stable environment. Regular cleaning and conditioning with guitar-safe products will help preserve its finish and sound.
FAQs About Guitar Back and Sides
How do the back and sides of a guitar affect the sound?
They shape the tonal character by reflecting and enhancing vibrations from the top wood. Different woods offer different tonal colors—some warm and rich, others bright and crisp.
Are figured maple guitar back and sides good for all music styles?
They are ideal for genres requiring clarity, like jazz, fingerstyle, and recording-focused playing. However, their crisp tone may not suit those seeking a warm, boomy sound.
Why should I buy from a tonewood shop instead of a regular guitar store?
A tonewood shop offers hand-selected, often exotic or premium wood choices with expert guidance. It’s especially valuable for custom builds or repairs requiring specific tonal goals.
Is figured maple more expensive than regular maple?
Yes, due to its rarity and complex grain patterns. Its visual appeal and enhanced resonance make it a sought-after choice for both builders and collectors.
Can back and sides be made of different woods from the top?
Absolutely. Most guitars are built this way. The combination is carefully selected to balance resonance, projection, and tonal character.