- Spruce is frequently used in classical guitar tops.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Strong, lightweight woods with a tight, straight grain are most favored for the tops of classical guitars, which must resonate freely but be stiff enough not to warp or split. Spruces, such as Sitka, Adirondack and Englemann, or cedars, including western red and Port Orford, are among the most commonly used. European spruces from the German or Italian Alps are also sometimes used; the cool climates in these regions keep the growth rings of spruce small, resulting in a strong, tight grain. - Denser and often more decorative woods are used for the sides and back of a classical guitar. These parts must reflect sound forward, while also adding richness to the tone. East Indian rosewood is often used, as are other dense tropical woods like cocobolo and koa. Brazilian rosewood is considered the finest wood for this purpose, but it is now an endangered wood species and very difficult to obtain legally.
- Because nylon or gut strings don't produce as much tension as the steel strings found in other acoustic guitars, classical guitar necks are not steel-reinforced. However, this does mean that necks must be made of dense, heavy woods that will not warp or distort due to humidity. East Indian rosewood and Honduran mahogany are popular choices in high-end guitars; lower-priced models may use Maple, which is extremely strong but imparts a much brighter tone than is typical of tropical hardwoods.
- Bracing woods help the guitar's top distribute the stress of the string tension; they make it possible for the top itself to be thinner and more resonant. The best classical guitars are braced with the same tone wood used for the top; this allows the braces to resonate in synch with the top they support. Less expensive classical guitars use standard spruce bracing.
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