Top
The Top, also known as the Soundboard, is one of the most important wood of a lute instrument. This is the one highly responsible for the sound of the instrument, it should be soft enough to vibrate and produce sound, and structurally strong enough to resist the tension of the strings.
Different woods have different characteristics, thus, they have a different way of vibrating and producing sound. And it is our job as luthiers to bring out the best sound the wood can offer.
Below are some internationally renowned woods for instrument soundboards/top:
Engelmann Spruce
One of the woods with bright rich tones, and straight grains which is best for structural integrity.
Red Cedar
A softwood which produces warm and mellow tones. This wood is mostly being used for classical guitar tops.
Sitka Spruce
One of the woods with bright rich tones and straight grains similar to Engelmann Spruce but a bit brown.
Hawaiian Koa
Acacia
Banago
Philippine Cedar
Gmelina
Jackfruit
Locally known as Langka or Nangka. This tonewood is one of the traditionally sought-after wood in the Philippines due to its bright tones.
Mahogany
Mango
Figured Mango
Figured or flamed mango is another gorgeous wood grain patterns and produce warm and mellow tones.
Spalted Mango
Aesthetically gorgeous wood grain patterns which produce warm and mellow tones similar to Acacia or Koa.
Narra
The national tree of the Philippines. This tonewood is one of the traditionally sought-after wood in the Philippines due to its bright tones.
Star Apple
Locally known as Caimito.
Back and Sides
The tonewood used for the back is another very important wood. The stiffness and looseness of the wood can change and improve the tone made by the top. The denser and more brittle the wood, the more it will ring; the lighter and looser the wood, the more it will be passive.
The sides, on the other hand, is matched the back for aesthetic reasons.
We have had experienced in making different tonewoods from different countries across the world, from the very popular ones to the ones that we similarly have here in the Philippines. Below are some of the woods that we have been worked on:
Brazilian Rosewood
The traditionally best wood of choice for the back and sides. Known for its rich and clear tones.
Cocobolo
Hawaiian Koa
Hormigo
Hormigo has a tap tone similar to Brazilian Rosewood. Also has a rich and clear tones.
Indian Rosewood
Maple
Walnut
Philippine Cedar
Philippine Ebony
Locally known as Kamagong. We call this wood as the best Philippine wood that can substitute Rosewood.
Gmelina
Ipil
Jackfruit
Locally known as Langka or Nangka. This tonewood is one of the traditionally sought-after wood in the Philippines due to its bright tones.
Mahogany
Mango
Figured Mango
Figured or flamed mango is another gorgeous wood grain patterns and produce warm and mellow tones.
Spalted Mango
Aesthetically gorgeous wood grain patterns which produce warm and mellow tones similar to Acacia or Koa.
Narra
The national tree of the Philippines. This tonewood is one of the traditionally sought-after wood in the Philippines due to its bright tones.
Neem
Paldao
Robles
Star Apple
Locally known as Caimito.