Before any woodworking can begin it is important that I understand what the customer is looking for in the finished guitar. For example, the needs of an electric player are vastly different from those of an acoustic player. The species of wood that is chosen for the top and back, the size and shape of the guitar's arches, the placement and profile of the top's bracing, the size and shape of the sound holes, as well as the overall size of the guitar will have a dramatic effect on the tone and character of the instrument. Controlling these variables to meet the needs of the customer sets the stage for the entire project and is extremely critical. When I'm evaluating tonewoods I'm primarily looking at the weight of the piece, it's density, and it's flexibility. Each piece of wood will be continually evaluated as work progresses.
