Back-and-Sides

Lutherie Resources

Back & Sides ~

The options for backs & side tonewoods are the most extensive in luthiery, however I usually build with a select few.

Rosewoods ~

~ Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra)

~ African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)

~ East Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

~ Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa)

~ Amazon rosewood (Dalbergia spruceana)

~ Honduran rosewood (Dalbergia stevensonii)

~ Madagascan rosewood (Dalbergia baronii )

Rosewood like:

~ Bloodwood (Brosimum rubescens) Deep red in colour. Not a true rosewood but possessing a similar tone.

~ Wenge (Millettia laurentii) Not a true rosewood.

~ Bubinga aka "African Rosewood" (Didelotia africana or Guibourtia sp) Not a true rosewood.

Ebony:

~ Macassar ebony (Diospyros celebica)

Acacias:

~ Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)

~ Koa (Acacia Koa)

Myrtles:

~ Tasmanian Tiger myrtle (Nothofagus cunninghamii)

~ Oregon myrtle (Umbellularia californica)

Walnuts:

~ Claro and Bastogne walnut (Juglans hindsii, Juglans californica)

~ Peruvian Walnut (Juglans spp)

~ English walnut (Juglans regia)

Mahoganies:

~ Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)

~ Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahogani)

Maples:

~ Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)

~ European maple ("Which includes Balkan, Italian, & German maple of the same species but with some differences")

~ "Curly" and "Quilted"

I will of course build with suitable tonewoods not listed here (More species are listed here). I can also use any wood that the customer provides, as long as it is suitable, stable and will not in any way diminish the final product.