Guitar wood question

[rocksteady]

How would an A25ce tone, Indian Rosewood with a Walnut soundboard compare to one with a Cedar top, or a spruce top?

Thanks,
Don

[stevemac]

We've never tried that combination before; the nearest, at least in terms of using a hardwood soundboard, would be a mahogany top on a rosewood guitar or koa top on an all koa guitar. My recollection of the mahogany top was that it had a lot less tonal complexity than spruce or cedar (but it was on a super jumbo guitar and that may have had something to do with it).

Since the aim in soundboard design is 'controlled resonance', softwoods like spruce or cedar provide more latitude in shaping the voice of the instrument. As for walnut in particular, I'd be interested to hear if anyone has ever come across that.

[rocksteady]

I'm sorry Steve, I misreaad the ad for this guitar. It was a Walnut Back and Sides with a Cedar top.

What would be the difference between the Indian rosewood and Walnut?
also what is the main tonal difference between the A25 and th A32?

[stevemac]

Now that makes sense! There's been quite a few of these through the Avalon workshop and there's one spectacular cedar/walnut there at present. Walnut, to my ears, has about 80% of the depth and richness of Indian rosewood, but with a stronger mid range and slightly edges rosewood for brightness. Also depends on the species of walnut - we almost always use claro walnut from Oregon these days which we find tonally superior and more visually appealing than black walnut which we've used in the past.

[rocksteady]

Thanks, Steve