Why LUTHIERS PREFER SITKA SPRUCE

As any luthier would tell you, all tonewoods are not created equal.  When a luthier undertakes his artistry, he or she does so with the knowledge that different tonewoods have different qualities, qualities that are best suited to specific applications.

When it comes to guitar tops, spruce tonewood is the first choice for discerning luthiers, and the number one type of spruce is Sitka Spruce.  Sitka spruce has superior tensile strength and is supple and springy as a result of its cellular structure.  This results in a sound that is warm and largely free of overtones.

The differences between woods are quite drastic.  Climate effects, how old the tree is, the tree’s history, growth patterns, grain, and curing conditions all have an effect on the tonal properties of any given piece of wood.  On top of that, tonewoods are affected by the system and techniques used by the craftsman.  It’s easy to see why luthiers must take into account a wide variety of factors of and subtleties when creating their instruments.

Alaska Specialty Woods offers the finest Sitka Spruce tonewood available through sustainable forestry and responsible wood use.

Posted by: Alaska Specialty Woods