Quilt Guitars

There are many different variations on the construction of, and materials used in, steel-string guitars. The various combinations of the different woods and their quality, along with design and construction elements (for example, how the top is braced), are among the factors affecting the timbre or "tone" of the guitar. Many players and luthiers feel a well-made guitar's tone improves over time.

Traditionally, steel-string guitars have been made of a combination of various "tonewoods", or woods that have pleasing resonant qualities when used in instrument-making. Foremost is Sitka spruce, the most common and sought-after wood for the making of guitar tops. The same wood is generally used for the back and sides of a particular guitar. Brazilian rosewood and American mahogany are traditional choices; however, maple has been prized for the figuring that can be seen when it is cut in a certain way (such as "flame" and "quilt" patterns). A common non-traditional wood gaining popularity is sapele, which is tonally similar to mahogany but slightly lighter in color and possessing a deep grain structure that is visually appealing.

Due to decreasing availability and rising prices of premium-quality traditional tonewoods, many manufacturers have begun experimenting with alternative species of woods or more commonly available variations on the standard species. For example, some makers have begun producing models with redcedar or mahogany tops, or with spruce variants other than Sitka. Cedar is also common in the back and sides, as is basswood. Entry-level models, especially those made in East Asia, often use nato wood, which is again tonally similar to mahogany but is cheap to acquire. Some have also begun using non-wood materials, such as plastic or graphite. Carbon-fiber and phenolic composite materials have become desirable for building necks, and at least one high-end luthier (Composite Acoustics) produces a line of all-carbon-fiber guitars, prized for their high stability in changing climates that would cause wood instrument panels to swell and shrink.

Guitars can be factory-built or made in smaller operations focusing on handcrafting and tailoring to individual customers' requirements. The latter are often referred to as luthiers.

There are several prominent American makers of steel-string acoustic guitars. Martin, Guild, Taylor, Gibson, and Washburn are known for both the quality and price of their instruments. A recent newcomer, started by former craftsmen at Taylor, is Breedlove. Other less-recognized but popular North American luthier shops include Larrivee and Godin, both based in Canada. In Europe, several steel-string acoustic guitar makers have gained a worldwide reputation, although their production output is small relative to U.S. and Asian makers. Among the leading European brands are Avalon (Northern Ireland), Brook, Tanglewood (UK) and Lakewood (Germany).

Many prominent, quality East Asian brands have been introduced to the U.S. and are popular with players of many skill levels. Yamaha produces a large assortment of musical instruments; Morris, Ibanez, and Takamine are other popular Japanese companies which specialize in guitar-making. Alvarez Guitars, another quality brand, are made in China or Japan. In addition, many traditionally U.S.-centered brands have outsourced the production of their low-cost models to Asian firms: Fender/Squier, Gibson/Epiphone, and Breedlove all own or contract with Asian factories to produce many of their entry-level and even intermediate-level instruments.

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