Maple is the most common back and side wood for mandolins.  It lends itself well to a strong fundamental tone that is generally weighted towards the treble.  It is responsive and depending on the cut can be variable in treble/bass response.  Tones are rather separate with mid to low complexity.  Projection is good.

  Generally the same characteristics as curly maple.  The birdseye figure is generally only found in hard varieties of maple and only shows on the slab to skew cut. 

  A very dense and almost jet black tropical wood.  Gaboon is primarily used for fingerboards for its density and resistance to wear. It is also used for bridges and endpins. 

  Macassar is a more colored species of ebony.  I use this wood primarily for headstock veneers and occasionally for fingerboards and binding. 

  A very stable an easily workable wood with a strong cedar earthy aroma.  This is the wood used for internal linings and blocks. Smell the inside of a new instrument to catch a whiff of the Spanish Cedar inside.   

  One of the worlds most stable and acoustically viable wood.  This wood is used for necks and occasionally back and sides. 

  A tropical wood very closely related to the often used tone wood Koa.  This wood gives good volume as well as a mellow tone.  Very similar to Mahogany but with more warmth in the mid to upper registers.  It finishes to a wonderful iridescence.  Figured stock available as well.  Also used for binding. 

  Burlwood from Africa.  Used for headstock veneers and decorative appointments. 

  A dense and rather stiff wood with interlocking grain and "beeswing" figure.  This wood has good sustain with a dark mellow character.  Very rosewood like in tone but not quite as dark and rounder in quality. 

  A true rosewood from Central America.  Very dense and stiff this wood has an immense presence and complex dark tone.  It projects very well and is rather aggressive in quality.  The tones intermingle with one another and sustain very well. 

  Essentially the same characteristics as Cococolo. A true rosewood. Becoming difficult to obtain.

  A fine American tone wood.  Walnut has a slightly more open and complex character than maple. It is responsive and versatile. A nice dark wood alternative to maple.