Taylor Acoustic Guitar Woods
Hawaiian Koa
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.
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.
Hawaiian Koa
Origin: The Big Island of Hawaii
Used On: The Koa Acoustic and Acoustic/Electric Series
As a tropical hardwood, a koa top will initially project a bright and focused tone, especially together with koa back and sides, but as it's played, it matures into an increasingly warm, rich, sweet sound with healthy overtone "bloom," especially in the midrange. A common mistake is when a "bright" player buys a koa-top guitar in part for its visual beauty, finds it to be too bright, and doesn't play it enough to allow the wood to develop its resonant tone.
Goes Well With: Fingerstylists who play more with the pads of their fingers and tend to have a meatier touch. Bright players need to be careful because of koa's existing brightness.
Popular Hawaiian Koa Guitars
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Shape: Grand ConcertWoods: Tropical Mahogany, Hawaiian KoaCategory: 6-String
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Shape: Grand OrchestraWoods: Hawaiian Koa, Hawaiian KoaCategory: 6-String
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Shape: Grand SymphonyWoods: Hawaiian Koa, Hawaiian KoaCategory: 12-String
