| January 26, 2026
| 7 min read
Wood is the soul of the guitar. But beyond myths and marketing, what does science really say about how wood species influence sound? This in-depth guide gives you the keys to understand - and hear - the difference.
🔬 The Science of Wood and Sound
Before exploring each species, let's understand the physical properties that determine how wood influences sound.
The 4 Fundamental Acoustic Properties
1. Speed of Sound - The velocity at which sound travels through wood. Higher speeds transmit treble harmonics more efficiently. Sitka spruce reaches ~5,500 m/s, compared to ~4,000 m/s for mahogany.
2. Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) - Wood stiffness. Higher MOE means the wood vibrates faster and produces more treble harmonics. Spruce has an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio.
3. Density - Affects frequency response. Dense woods (rosewood: ~850 kg/m3) have more sustain and bass. Lighter woods (spruce: ~450 kg/m3) are more responsive.
4. Internal Damping - The wood's ability to absorb certain frequencies.