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DIY Ukulele: Tonewood Info,Links and Suppliers
Resources a for all the wood you'll need to build that ukulele.
photo by Louis Martin
UPDATED:
6 July 2022

Ukulele Tonewood Information

Ko'olau Guitar & Ukulele Company
Ukulele Tone Wood Characteristics

Ko'olau makes some of the finest ukuleles in the world. I'm a little partial as I have two CS Tenor models ( Rosewood back and sides / Cedar top ) I use for everything. As well as several solid-body tenors and we carry their Pono line of ukes at our Funky Frets Music Store.

The Difference Between Spruce and Cedar

Both are considered “soft” woods, from evergreen trees. Both have a tensile flexibility that’s different from “hard” woods, such as Mahogany, Koa, Rosewood, Maple, and Ebony. Due to their flexible or “bendable” nature they are excellent as top soundboard woods. Simply stated, when strings are played the top vibrates, which causes a “pumping” action, and thus projecting tone out the soundhole. Although Spruce and Cedar both great top woods, due to their density and specific gravity (weight) the tone is different. Spruce is slightly harder than cedar, and it’s cell structure is different, and so tone and volume is bright, clear, and projecting. Cedar is softer and thus produces a warmer tone, somewhat like an aged spruce. Our Spruce is Englemann Spruce from British Columbia Canada. And our Cedar is Western Red Cedar from Vancouver Island Canada.

More info on various woods available from Ko'olau.

Tony Graziano Ukuleles
Ukulele Tone Wood Information &

Tony Graziano Ukuleles, Tony Graziano has been building musical instruments since 1969 and became interested in the Ukulele in 1978 , and then in 1995, after several years of building both guitars and Ukuleles, Tony began building Ukuleles almost exclusively. Tony likes to think of the ukulele as an instrument of the millennium. Its compact, easy to travel with, and brings joy to all who hear and play them. All Tony Graziano Ukes are built by Tony in his Santa Cruz shop using of the finest woods available.

Check out the Tony Graziano Ukuleles web site.

Rosewood

Great for a enhanced bass tone. Works well in baritones with a spruce top.(as shown here) very good low end.

Bamboo

A non endangered tropical wood. Great bright sound and great unique look. Bamboo literally grows like grass.

Walnut

A very pretty domestic hardwood.

Maple

Bright sound, clearer treble response.

Spruce

An excellent Top wood with a warm full sound. Makes for a louder Uke with more sustain. Shown here on a Uke with Koa sides.

Cedar

Similar to spruce, but with a "darker" sound. Responds quickly with no break-in time required.

Tone Wood Information, Links, & Resources
Here are a few sites that have great information on tonewoods.
  • Martin Guitarlink
  • Taylor Guitarslink
  • Santa Cruz Guitar Companylink
  • Ervin Somogyilink
  • Road Toad Musiclink
Tonewood Suppliers

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