Acoustic Tone Woods: Why it matters!

The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar Guide! In this video we're comparing tonewoods! Massive thanks to Eastman Guitars and Pepijn 't Hart for helping me out with this video.

▶Learn some of these pieces and so much more in my acoustic guitar course!◀

▶Tabs available on my Patreon page◀

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Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on YouTube.

Thank you for watching!
Paul

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[hansgauvin]

Now, that's how transition should always be made when comparing guitar tones! No talking, no pointing, no pause in between. Perfection.

[patrickgareis]

I’ve been playing guitar for almost 40 years, and this two-part series on the sound variables of acoustic guitars based on body shapes and wood types is one of the most comprehensive-and fascinating- dissertations I’ve ever seen. Bravo to you and Pepijn on this Master Class. We’re all smarter for having seen this. Thank you!!

[markusanger]

I’m a long time subscriber and you asked for comments about tone-woods. Ok, I’m a 60 year old wood nerd working for the oldest American acoustic guitar manufacturer….Nazareth Pa. Wood is my life. I’ve tested so many variations including torrefied tops, hide glue, Adirondack, European spruce, Brazilian rosewood, etc. Too much to type so if you want to chat, I’d be honored. I’ve been watching your channel for a few years. Thanks, MJ

[danpechacek]

Paul, this video and the last are so useful and informative, but also a testament to your consistency as a player. That first rosewood to mahogany comparison sounded more like an EQ shift than a guitar change - incredible!

[eddierabinovich]

You're the Bob Ross of the guitar community Paul. Your videos are always such a joy to watch! And I've been watching for years, so that says a lot!

[brianfulda]

Man, I wish I had this video available when I was buying an acoustic guitar about two years ago. There were always comparisons, but rarely with the same body style and top. So well done Paul, you are helping thousands of guitarists around the world make one of the hardest decisions there is about buying an acoustic guitar!

[_billion_suns]

Adirondack spruce top + rosewood back was my favorite sound. Really nice balance across the frequency spectrum to my ears.

[glennkennedy]

Unbelievable how well these guys are speaking a second language. I'm born and raised in New Zealand and they're more fluent in English than I am! Great content!

[PsionicAudio]

What a rare opportunity! Thanks to you both for putting this together. A lot of work, a lot of planning, and executed so well.

[colemanjennings]

Great video. Even two guitars built the exact same will sound different. This is the beauty of it! Knowing your guitar is the only one with a certain sound.

[estoesmoira]

What a good serie of videos man!!! While almost everybody is thinking about big brands or good looking colors, here We are learning about the really important thing: WOODS!!! Because that is what a guitar is at last, pieces of wood that will conditionate your sound. Thanks a lot guys, its great to hear people that knows so much about the topic. ❤️✨

[hijmestoffels]

This is the best buyers guide for an acoustic guitar. You really need these seamless transitions to hear an understand the differences between the types of wood.

[calvin_ribelin]

Love how you go so in depth with this!

[daumination]

This was awesome! Always thought I preferred rosewood, but mahogany took the crown for me here. I’d love to hear top differences of more woods. Cedar, koa, maple, etc. great vids!

[Rice_Morganfield]

Great work! Thanks for that in depth comparison!
But we all shouldn't forget, that it's not about Wood, Strings, bodysize or producer.
It's all about you as a player, and Practice.
You are more important to your sound, than any Guitar!
You wanna play jazz on a parlor? Play jazz on a Parlor and be that guy who plays jazz on a parlor!

[nkpcryz]

1:55 Adirondack rosewood(DS)
2:01 Adirondack mahogany(DS)

Harmony
2:45 Adirondack mahogany(00)
2:53 Adirondack rosewood(00)

Strumming
3:10 Adirondack mahogany(DS)
3:22 Adirondack rosewood(DS)

Strumming
6:14 European spruce mahogany(GA)
6:21 European spruce rosewood(GA)
6:28 European spruce maple(GA)

8:22 European spruce mahogany(GA)
8:30
8:18 European spruce rosewood(GA)
8:33
8:14 European spruce maple(GA)
8:26

[williedeuel]

Every one of those guitars sounds fabulous. Yes, there are differences, but I would have a hard time choosing one as being the best.

[emmanuelfraniiii]

Summary:

Based on the 2 videos you made about finding the perfect guitar for me and my finger picking playstyle, I can now clearly say that the best guitar for me is:

Body shape: Grand Auditorium (Primary) or Parlor (Secondary)
Tonewood (Back & sides): Mahogany
Top: European Spruce
Fingerboard: Ebony

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 🔥

[felipe-jzzm]

The best video i've seen about tone woods for folk guitar's. 🙂 Well explained without excessive blabla, and perfectly "illustrated"..

[eidolonian]

This really was a superb way of demonstrating the differences, and was also highly enjoyable to watch. Nice work!