redwood exploration

Santa Cruz OM Custom

When most of us think about guitar top tonewoods mind instantly goes to names like spruce, cedar, and mahogany, with the occasional koa or even maple thrown in for good measure. But there’s another option that’s been gaining popularity amongst the smaller, boutique builders with successful, often stunning, results: redwood!
A (different) Top Choice
Unlike spruce, which has dominated the acoustic guitar world for a few centuries now, redwood isn’t a common soundboard choice. Out here on the west coast, redwood has traditionally been used for structural beams, fencing, & decking, while more figured pieces can be found in cabinetry, interior paneling, or tabletops. Its scarcity in luthiery comes not only from limited availability but also from the challenge of sourcing pieces with the right stiffness, grain, and resonance for a guitar top.
Some of the finest redwood tops are reclaimed from old bridges, barns, or beams, where the wood has aged and seasoned over decades—or even centuries. This gives redwood guitars a sustainability story and a historical connection that’s hard to match.
Redwood Tone
Sonically, redwood sits somewhere between cedar and spruce, blending the crisp attack and warmth of cedar with the dynamic response of spruce. It’s no surprise that many fingerstyle players gravitate towards a redwood topped instrument.
Visually Striking
Beyond the unique tone, redwood tops are always eye-catching. Their deep, reddish-brown hues often display dramatic figuring, with tight grain lines, curly flame, or even bearclaw. And let’s not forget about ‘sinker’ redwood tops. This refers to a particular tree or log sat at the bottom of a river or lake for several decades before being resurrected, properly dried, and cut to thickness. These ‘sinker’ tops usually have very distinct, dark mineral deposits running along the grain which adds character for days.
Who Builds with Redwood?
Because luthier-grade redwood is harder to find and often reclaimed, it’s most commonly found in boutique instruments. Builders such as Santa Cruz Guitar Company, Lowden, Goodall, and numerous independent luthiers have crafted remarkable guitars with redwood tops.
​Check out our Redwood Collection to see what we’ve got in stock currently, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to custom order your dream redwood guitar!

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Rick Turner Model T Custom