Unlike acoustic guitars, the type of wood used in an electric guitar will not directly affect the guitar's acoustics. The sound of an electric guitar with magnetic pickups comes solely from the interaction of the strings with the pickups.
However, characteristics of the wood will affect how long the string vibrates (sustains) and the shape of the string's motion. A resonant wood will also allow the pickup to move. These factors combined with the guitar's general construction will have significant impact on the electric guitar's tone.
Woods Used for Electric GuitarsThe following woods are commonly used in construction of electric guitars:
Maple is the wood of choice for guitar tops. Maple is a dense, hard and heavy wood that often displays brilliant figurings. It's a favorite wood for a veneer or laminate top on solid-body guitars. Maple is also used for the tops of some archtop guitars, where it is often laminated. Maple's hardness brings out the trebles in a guitar's sound. It's sometimes used for fretboards where it adds definition to the sound.
Mahogany is very dense and strong, but not particularly hard. A mahogany neck and back is a common combination on short-scale guitars with maple tops such as Gibson's Les Paul. Mahogany emphasizes midrange and bass tones, creating a mellower guitar sound. Mahogany is a resonant wood which enhances a guitar's sustain. Mahogany-topped guitars have a tone that is well suited to country blues playing. Mahogany necks tend to create a warmer tonal range.
Rosewood is commonly used for electric guitar fretboards. It is very dense and hard. It ranges in color from almost black to variegated brown and blond.Brazilian rosewood is known for its high sound velocity and its broad range of overtones. Brazilian rosewood is strong and in the bottom end and has an overall darkness of tone. Strong mids and highs also contribute a richness of tone to the upper registers. Rosewood guitars have a pronounced reverberant-like tone quality, caused by audible delays in the onset of certain harmonics. When used for necks, Brazilian rosewood adds sparkle and ring.
Indian rosewood is known for high sound velocity and a broad range of overtones, strength and complexity in the bottom end and an overall darkness of tone in the rest of the range. Strong mids and highs also contribute a richness of tone to the upper registers. Indian rosewood has a thicker, more midrange overall coloration. When used for necks, Indian rosewood can help fatten up the midrange.
Ebony is a very hard, dense wood that is ideal for fretboards. It imparts a smooth feel to the fretboard and is often entirely black.Ash is commonly used for the bodies of solid-body guitars. It is harder than mahogany and very resonant. Ash imparts a ringing sustain and bright tone with a well-formed midrange. Ash is a blonde wood that is often used on models with natural, wood finishes.
Alder is much like ash. It is lightweight and highly resonant. But it's not as pretty as ash, so it costs less. Alder may be the most common body wood on solid-body guitars. It is generally light tan in color, and will typically be finished with an opaque color.Agathis is becoming a popular for the bodies of affordable solid-body guitars. The wood is similar to alder in appearance and tonal characteristics, though not quite as resonant.
Nato is becoming a popular and less-expensive replacement wood for mahogany. It is very strong, has a warm resonance and is often used in the necks of less-expensive electric guitars.
Griffbretter Gitarre
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