A survey of woods for acoustic guitar soundboards

The soundboards of guitars have been crafted from wood since the beginning of string instruments. Based on industry-specific criteria, soundboards have traditionally been made from spruce and a few selected tropical wood species. This paper aims to find potential U.S. hardwoods that can serve as viable options to supplement the current manufacturing needs of the guitar industry. This paper also identifies the properties within the industry-specific criteria and determines how each property contributed to the market success of the soundboard woods used in production. The woods were separated into spruces, other woods in production, and U.S. hardwoods. A decision matrix determined which U.S. hardwoods would make viable options for production-grade soundboards. Basswood has the most promise of being a supplemental option.