Your Favorite Domestic Back/Sides

[CaE]

I am working on a new economical model and am interested in getting some opinions on preferred domestic back/sides. The top will be either sitka or cedar. The body will be my concert size- 15". So let's hear it. What's your favorite domestic back/sides (assume the wood is pretty basic visually). If you don't see one you like in the poll, mention it in your comment. Also, please give your reason why it's your favorite.

[iim7V7IM7]

Not very creative on my part but some obvious choices are Bigleaf Maple, Black Cherry, Black Locust, Claro Walnut, Myrtle, Osage Orange and White Oak.

[ChuckS]

If I was looking for that type of guitar right now (for my fingerstyle playing) I'd either want the black walnut with cedar, or maple with cedar. I'd be a bit cautious about buying maple without first hand experience playing an instrument of yours in that combination; somewhat less so with black walnut. However, I'm much more a fan of spruce tops than cedar but sitka doesn't excite me for my playing style and preferences, so I'd consider cedar.

I voted for black walnut. I think you could make an attractive and versatile guitar, on a budget, with this wood.

[JoeCharter]

Personally my vote would go to maple.

Some folks turn to custom builds so they can spec a tonewood that's not commonly available in production guitars while others want an "improved" version of existing classics. I'm in the latter group.

As a fan of Gibson guitars, I view maple as a classic tonewood along with rosewood, mahogany and koa.

That being said, I'm not sure that maple would be your biggest seller so you may want to disregard my vote after all...

[redir]

I like white oak.

Walnut and cedar make an excellent combination but you can't go wrong with any of those choices imho.

[j. Kinnaird]

I like white oak, black walnut and hard maple. I have some persimmon which promises to look pretty nice since it has some of that black ebony heart. I also have some mesquite which is very curly and quite attractive. My plan is to pair that with either Texas ebony for fingerboard and binding or perhaps desert ironwood for a rather exotic all American guitar.

[fazool]

I didn't realize that's all the domestic body wood choices

[jaymarsch]

I voted Myrtle, though it is true that any of these woods would make a great guitar. I look forward to hearing what you decide.

Best,
Jayne

[Steve Kinnaird]

Chris, all those you list will perform beautifully.
Offer all of those as options...don't limit yourself. Or your clientele.
Trying to guess which way the buying public will go is like trying to guess wind direction and velocity. Make yourself happy with the choice.
That said, go for maple.
Or walnut.
Or oak...it's really nice.
Don't forget myrtle!

[psychojohn]

Not on your list but a I love my Oak back and sides EJ Henderson dread. Good volume, note separation and sustain not to mention beautiful.

John

[Glenn23]

As the crack of a baseball bat will tell you, ash can be a very resonant wood.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Not very creative on my part but some obvious choices are Bigleaf Maple, Black Cherry, Black Locust, Claro Walnut, Myrtle, Osage Orange and White Oak.

When I saw the poll title, I immediately asked myself...Am I going to vote for Cherry or for White Oak?

[Tim McKnight]

I like Shag Bark Hickory, White Oak and Osage Orange which are not on your list. It may or may not be of interest but Shag Bark Hickory guitars have always been the first ones to sell off our table at every Healdsburg show since the late 90's?

[alohachris]

Aloha Friends,

Although it's getting difficult to source instrument-grade sets (or any lumber really), Hawaiian Koa is my favorite domestic wood for backs & sides. Mango & Milo work well. And Osage Orange (not an Island wood) is an excellent reflective tonewood as well.

alohachris

[CaE]

Thanks for the replies everybody. This is very helpful. Keep 'em coming.

As a side note, I just cut up 3 nice sets of osage orange. My shop bandsaw looks like it was attacked by the crayola company.