A kop top's visual beauty is instantly inspiring, while its sonic rewards unfold over time, as warm, sweet overtones gradually emerge.
Sitka Spruce
The soundboard choice for most guitars, Sitka spruce produces a broad dynamic range and accommodates a versatile range of playing styles.
Western Red Cedar
A true performer for those with a lighter touch, cedar tops yield extra warmth and pair nicely with mahogany and rosewood.
Adirondack Spruce
Loud, dynamic, clear and undeniably loud, Adirondack is a good match for players with a driving attack.
Engelmann Spruce
Engelmann's mature tone compared to Sitka tends to yield an extra splash of midrange warmth and richness.
Tropical Mahogany
As a hardwood top, mahogany's density translates into a bright tone that develops more overtone bloom with increased playing.
European Spruce
Similar to Engelmann spruce, with extra headroom and overtone warmth for a robust, mature sound.
Sinker Redwood
Reclaimed from Northern California rivers, sinker’s warmth is similar to cedar, with a bolder response.

Origin: West Africa
Used On: Limited Editions, Build to Order
In contrast to the relatively straight-grained sapele used for backs and sides in Taylor’s 300 Series, quilted sapele is an extremely rare and precious find. Rare enough that years can pass between appearances. While standard sapele is normally quartersawn, which contributes to its overall stiffness, quilted sapele is often flatsawn. This not only allows the beautiful figure to be showcased to maximum effect, it also produces more flex in the wood. This translates tonally into slightly more power and warmth than standard sapele, which typically has a mahogany-like tone with a more pronounced treble zing.
Goes Well With: Most playing styles. Like standard sapele, it’s a great all-purpose tonewood that will respond well to a variety of playing styles. If you like mahogany, you’ll like this tone profile. Strummers will appreciate the extra power in the lower midrange, while fingerstylists will enjoy the warmth.