Sinker Redwood
Overview: A customer favorite for its origins, sinker redwood soundboards are sliced from huge old-growth redwood logs reclaimed from the depths of Northern California rivers, where they’ve lain in many cases for more than a century. The tops typically display a rich spectrum of variegation, the result of colors uniquely imparted from silt and the mineral-rich water. The age and size of these trees translates into a tight grain with nice cross-grain stiffness, so it will tend to have a fairly bold response, with a brilliance complemented by warm overtones similar to cedar. In fact, it’s often characterized around the Taylor complex as "cedar on steroids."
Origin: Northern California
Goes Well With: Players who like the warm overtones of cedar with a little extra brightness and headroom. It pairs well with rosewood and mahogany, and looks striking when visually matched with Macassar ebony through the Build to Order program.
Hard Woods vs. Soft Woods
Guitar top woods fall into two general categories: hardwoods and softwoods. So what are softwoods and hardwoods, and what’s the difference between a softwood top and a hardwood top?
Top Woods
The unique acoustic properties of top woods help color a body shape’s fundamental sound. The key is to find the wood that matches up best with your playing style, like the warmth of a cedar top for fingerpicking and the feeling of responsiveness in your hands.
Explore All Acoustic Features
Top Woods
The type of wood used for a guitar’s soundboard has a major impact on its tonal properties.
Series
Each acoustic series boasts a unique package of visual details that enhance the aesthetic appeal.
Electronics
Our inspired proprietary pickups faithfully reproduce the natural nuances of a Taylor guitar’s voice.
Specialty
Guitars with a unique musical personality, including 12-string, 12-fret, nylon, baritone and travel.
Finishes
Taylor’s eco-friendly, UV-curable finishes protect your guitar and keep it looking and sounding great.
Bracing
Bracing patterns, such as our new V-Class design, bring out each guitar’s unique voice.
Necks
Our patented neck design ensures superb intonation, playability, and lasting stability.
Cutaways
Our elegant cutaways add to a guitar’s shapeliness and broaden your playing range.
Armrests
An armrest softens the edge of a guitar body to create a more comfortable playing experience.