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Top Woods

The choice of wood species for the top (or soundboard) is critical. I believe that about 80% of the tone of any instrument is determined by the top and its bracing. The choices you make during the commissioning of your guitar will determine in a large part your ultimate satisfaction with the finished instrument. Tonal characteristics blend with visual esthetics in the many decisions that the customer must make. My job is to offer guidance in this area.

Back and Side Woods

The variety of woods suitable for the body construction must number in the hundreds if not thousands. The back and side choices provide the finishing touch for the tone of the instrument, like frosting on the cake. The visual component is also very important. There are those that insist the " tone is the only thing that matters", why not have it all? I really enjoy working with some of the most visually interesting woods, some of Mother Natures' finest work!