Spruce vs. Cedar

The two most popular soundboard woods for classical guitar—and how to choose between them

When shopping for a classical guitar, one of the first decisions you'll face is the choice of top wood: spruce or cedar. These two tonewoods dominate classical guitar construction, and for good reason—both produce beautiful, musical instruments. But they do sound and behave differently, and understanding those differences helps you choose the guitar that's right for your playing style and musical preferences.

The short answer? It's purely a matter of preference. Spruce tends toward a clearer, more defined tone, while cedar is typically warmer and more mellow. But the differences aren't always dramatic, and many players find they love both woods for different reasons. The timbres—the characteristic "color" of the sound—are what I consider the biggest difference between the two.

Hear the Difference

The best way to understand the spruce/cedar distinction is to hear both woods on the same guitar model, played by the same guitarist. Even if these aren't the specific guitars you're considering, you'll get a feel for how the two woods compare.

Let me walk you through what makes each wood unique, so you can make an informed choice.

Spruce: The Traditional Choice

Spruce has been the standard soundboard wood for classical guitars since the instrument took its modern form in the 19th century. Antonio de Torres, the father of the modern classical guitar, used spruce for most of his instruments, and many luthiers continue to consider it the benchmark for classical guitar tone.

Appearance: Spruce is light in color—pale cream to golden yellow—with visible, straight grain lines running the length of the top. It has a clean, traditional look that many players associate with fine classical instruments.

Sound character: Spruce produces a bright, clear, and articulate tone with strong projection. The trebles tend to be crisp and defined, while the bass is tight and focused. Spruce guitars often have excellent note separation, making them particularly well-suited for contrapuntal music where you need to hear individual voices clearly—think Bach fugues or Renaissance lute transcriptions.

Dynamic range: One of spruce's greatest strengths is its wide dynamic range. It responds well to both delicate playing and aggressive attack, giving you more headroom before the sound compresses or breaks up. This makes spruce a favorite for concert performers who need to project in large halls while still maintaining nuance in quieter passages.

Spruce rewards patience. A new spruce-top guitar may sound somewhat tight or restrained, but as it's played in over months and years, it opens up and develops remarkable warmth while retaining its clarity.

Break-in period: Spruce tops typically need time to "open up." A brand-new spruce guitar may sound a bit closed or stiff compared to the same instrument after a year of regular playing. The wood's cellular structure loosens as it vibrates, allowing the top to move more freely. Many players consider this development process one of spruce's most rewarding characteristics—you're not just buying a guitar, you're investing in an instrument that will improve for decades.

Cedar: The Modern Alternative

Western red cedar became popular for classical guitar tops in the mid-20th century, championed by luthiers like José Ramírez III and Ignacio Fleta. Today it's used nearly as often as spruce and has developed its own devoted following among classical guitarists.

Appearance: Cedar has a warm, reddish-brown color that darkens slightly with age and light exposure. It's visually distinct from spruce and gives guitars a rich, organic appearance.

Sound character: Cedar produces a warmer, darker tone than spruce, with a rich fundamental and lush overtones. The trebles tend to be sweeter and rounder, while the bass is full and enveloping. Cedar guitars often have a romantic, singing quality that many players find immediately appealing.

Response: Cedar is softer and more pliable than spruce, which means it vibrates more easily. The practical result is that cedar guitars feel more responsive under the fingers—they "speak" quickly and require less energy to produce sound. This makes cedar particularly appealing for players who prefer a lighter touch or who play music emphasizing nuance over power.

Immediate maturity: Unlike spruce, cedar sounds open and mature right out of the box. There's less "break-in" period—what you hear on day one is largely what you'll get. This is a significant advantage if you need a performance-ready instrument immediately or if you won't be playing intensively enough to open up a spruce top.

Direct Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

Consider spruce if:

You play a lot of contrapuntal music (Bach, Renaissance) where voice separation matters. You need projection for concert performance or playing with ensembles. You enjoy an instrument that develops and improves over time. You play with a strong attack and want headroom for dynamics. You prefer a brighter, more articulate sound.

Consider cedar if:

You favor Romantic-era repertoire or Spanish music where warmth is prized. You play mostly in intimate settings—at home, in small rooms, for recording. You want an instrument that sounds mature and open immediately. You prefer a lighter touch and value responsiveness over power. You're drawn to a warmer, more enveloping sound.

Still unsure? That's perfectly normal. Many guitarists own both spruce and cedar instruments and choose between them depending on the repertoire or setting. If you can only have one guitar, think about the music you play most often and the environments where you perform. For general-purpose use, either wood will serve you well—the "right" choice is the one that sounds best to your ears.

A Note on Spruce Varieties

Not all spruce is identical. Several species are used in guitar making, each with subtle differences:

European spruce (also called German spruce or Alpine spruce) is considered the premium choice for classical guitars. It offers an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio and produces a powerful, refined tone with complex overtones.

Engelmann spruce is slightly lighter and produces a somewhat warmer tone with quicker response—almost splitting the difference between European spruce and cedar.

Sitka spruce is the most common species overall, though it's more often seen on steel-string guitars. It produces a strong, direct tone with good durability.

For most buyers, the specific spruce species matters less than the overall quality of the wood selection and the luthier's skill in voicing the top. A well-selected piece of Sitka can outperform a mediocre piece of European spruce.

What About Durability?

Cedar is softer than spruce and more susceptible to dents, scratches, and wear. If you're hard on your instruments or plan to travel frequently with your guitar, spruce may be the more practical choice. That said, with reasonable care, both woods will last a lifetime. The durability difference is meaningful but not dramatic.

Final Thoughts

The spruce vs. cedar debate has no wrong answer. Both woods produce beautiful instruments, and the "better" choice depends entirely on your preferences, playing style, and the music you love. If possible, play guitars with both top woods before deciding—your ears will tell you which one speaks to you.

And remember: the wood is just one factor among many. Construction quality, bracing patterns, back and side woods, and the luthier's skill all contribute to a guitar's voice. A great guitar is more than the sum of its materials.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions—I'm always happy to help you find the right instrument.

— Geoff Ferdón, XGuitars