16 Apr 2026

What to Look for When Buying Guitar Tops (Tonewood Guide)

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What to Look for When Buying Guitar Tops (Tonewood Guide)

Choosing the right guitar top is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building an instrument.

Whether you’re building an electric guitar or bass, the top plays a huge role in:

  • Appearance
  • Tone (especially on thinner builds)
  • Overall quality of the finished instrument

But not all guitar tops are created equal — and buying the wrong material can lead to disappointing results.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to look for when buying guitar tops, so you can choose with confidence.

Guitar tops tonewood examples flame maple burl
A selection of high-quality guitar tops including flame maple, burl, and figured tonewoods.

1. Wood Selection (More Than Just Looks)

The first thing most builders notice is the figure — flame, quilt, burl — but there’s more to it than appearance.

Different woods offer different characteristics:

  • Flame Maple – bright, tight grain, classic high-end look
  • Ash & Poplar Burl – highly figured, unique patterns
  • Elm Burl – distinctive, organic figuring
  • Mahogany – warmer tone, more subtle appearance

More specialist options can include:

  • Ancient timbers
  • Exotic burls
  • Dense hardwoods with unique tonal properties

👉 The key is choosing a wood that suits both the look and the function of your build.

2. Cut Quality (This Is Critical)

This is where many generic timber suppliers fall short.

A guitar top isn’t just “a piece of wood” — it needs to be cut correctly for instrument building.

A proper guitar top should be:

  • Bookmatched correctly
  • Cut with grain orientation in mind
  • Structurally stable
  • Suitable for carving or drop-top use

👉 Poorly cut wood can:

  • Twist or move
  • Look uneven when joined
  • Be difficult to work with

3. Moisture Content and Stability

One of the most overlooked factors when buying tonewood is moisture content.

If the wood isn’t properly dried:

  • It can warp after installation
  • It may crack over time
  • It can cause long-term stability issues

👉 This is especially important for customers in the USA and other regions with varying climates.

4. Thickness and Intended Use

Not all tops are the same — the thickness needs to match your build.

Common options include:

  • Drop tops – thinner, primarily aesthetic
  • Carve tops – thicker, shaped into the body

Choosing the wrong thickness can:

  • Limit your build options
  • Create unnecessary work
  • Affect the final result

5. Consistency and Matching

A good guitar top should be:

  • Evenly matched
  • Visually balanced
  • Free from major defects

This is especially important with highly figured woods like burl or flame maple.

6. The Supplier Matters More Than You Think

Here’s the reality:

👉 Most timber suppliers are not luthiers.

They don’t always understand:

  • Grain orientation
  • Structural requirements
  • The importance of correct drying

Wood Cut for Luthiers, By Luthiers

At Luthier Wood, the entire business was built around solving this exact problem.

After over a decade working as a professional luthier, it became clear just how difficult it was to source suitable wood from general timber suppliers.

Materials were often:

  • Poorly cut
  • Incorrectly dried
  • Not suited to instrument building

So Luthier Wood was created with a simple goal:

👉 To supply wood specifically for instrument makers — by someone who understands what’s required.

guitar tops in finished builds flame maple burl and mahogany
Different guitar top woods used in real builds, including flame maple, burl, and mahogany.

A Wide Range of Guitar Top Woods

We stock a wide variety of guitar tops suitable for both electric guitars and basses, including:

  • Flame Maple (drop tops and carve tops)
  • Figured Ash
  • Poplar Burl
  • Elm Burl
  • Mahogany

As well as more specialist and unique materials such as:

  • Ancient Quilted Redwood (2500–3000 years old)
  • Australian Redbox Burl
  • Indiana Rosewood
  • Wenge

👉 Whether you’re building something traditional or completely unique, there are options to suit every project.

Need Something Specific? Just Ask

Not everything we stock is listed on the website.

We hold a large amount of board stock that can be cut to your requirements.

👉 If you’re looking for something specific:

  • Different dimensions
  • Custom cuts
  • Particular figure or grain

There’s a good chance we already have it available.

Shipping Worldwide (Including USA)

We regularly ship guitar tops to customers across the United States and worldwide.

  • Fast international delivery
  • Secure packaging for fragile sets
  • Reliable service from dispatch to delivery

👉 You can order with confidence wherever you’re based.

Final Thoughts

A guitar top is more than just a visual feature — it’s a key part of your build.

Choosing the right material means considering:

  • Wood type
  • Cut quality
  • Stability
  • Supplier expertise

👉 Get these right, and your build will reflect it.

Ready to Choose Your Guitar Top?

Browse our range of guitar tops and tonewoods here:
👉 https://luthierwood.com