Luthier Tonewood

Luthier tonewood is fundamental to building guitars. Oregon Wild Wood currently offers over 2,500 luthier tonewood sets. The luthier tonewood you select will determine the cost, sound, weight playability and appearance of your guitar. Some of the finest luthier tonewood comes from the US Pacific NW. When selecting luthier tonewood, don't settle for anything but the best..

Click on the photos below to see over 2,500 luthier tonewood sets currently available.

More about Luthier Tonewood

Luthier tonewoods create sound (by direct striking) and amplify sound waves. For this reason, luthier tonewood is an exceptional substance for guitars. The pitch of sound produced depends on the regularity of vibration. The frequency of vibration is affected by the dimensions, density, moisture content, and elasticity of the luthier tonewood. Smaller dimensions, lower moisture content, and higher density and elasticity produce sounds of higher pitch.

When sound waves of extrinsic origin strike tonewood, they are partly absorbed and partly reflected, and the luthier tonewood is set in vibration.

The luthier tonewood used in guitars vary the sound, look and playability of your guitar. Different designs, quality of craftsmanship, electronics and choice of luthier tonewood make them sound, look and feel different from one another. It's the luthiers' goal to combine the best of these elements to create the next masterpiece. Our task is seeking and offering the finest tonewood available to make that goal a reality.

Great Tonewood = A Great Guitar

Luthier Tonewood is the term generally used to designate wood with desirable and consistent resonant qualities, fundamental to good guitars. The visual appeal and weight of luthier tonewood are also important factors. Each luthier tonewood species and cut has its own unique characters that effect luthier tonewood.

The grain structure of luthier tonewood effects the tone of your guitar
The density of luthier tonewood effects the tone and weight of your guitar
The colors, patterns, figuring and chatoyance of luthier tonewoods effect the appearance of your guitar
The sap viability of luthier tonewood effects the tonal quality of your guitar
The way the wood of the luthier tonewood is cured will effect the tone, look, and structural stability of your guitar
The amount it's played will effect the tone of your guitar (the more, the better)

We consider the finest luthier tonewood to be those species with superior resonance and sustain.  Luther tonewood should not have weak or bright spots within the tonal range. Many of the wood species from the US Pacific NW meet these criteria, and more.

Luthier tonewood from some Pacific NW woods were well known by luthiers, but others, like Myrtlewood, Claro, Franquette & Bastogne Walnut, Port Orford Cedar, Redwood, Pistachio, Olive, Osage Orange and Douglas Fir are just now gaining notoriety.

Oregon Wild Wood offers the following luthier tonewood:

  • luthier tonewood for solid body guitars
  • luthier tonewood for hollow body guitars
  • luthier tonewood for acoustic guitar back & side sets
  • luthier tonewood for bass guitar top sets
  • luthier tonewood for acoustic guitar back and sides
  • luthier tonewood for guitar soundboards
  • luthier tonewood for beginners
  • luthier tonewood for master luthiers and amateur enthusiasts - ask us!

Make your next guitar one of a kind.

Every variety of luthier tonewood sold by OregonWildWood is visually unique and distinctive - even luthier tonewood within the same species vary greatly in color, contrast and figuring. You'll find the largest online selection of luthier tonewood available and each is unique. We strive to provide tonewood that is exotic, beautiful, unique and tonally superior. Each luthier tonewood set is individually pictured giving you the opportunity to choose the perfect one for your next guitar.

Click on the links above to select the perfect luthier tonewood for you. Contact us if you would like more information to help decide which tonewood sets are right for you.

At Oregon Wild Wood, our mission is to improve the sound (and beauty and playability) of your next guitar!