Guitar tone woods play a significant role in shaping the sound and character of an instrument. The wood used for the body, neck, and fretboard contributes to the overall tonal quality, resonance, and sustain. Here’s a breakdown of some popular tone woods you’ll find on guitars, especially focusing on both top woods (the soundboard) and back/sides woods, and how they impact tone.

For simplicity, we'll use the word "Guitar", but this information can be applied to any wooden instrument, whether its acoustic, electric, bass guitar, ukulele, mandolin, or an orchestral instrument. 

Spruce is bright, crisp, and responsive, offering versatility and a well-balanced tone for different playing styles.

Cedar produces a warm, full-bodied tone with an emphasis on midrange, favored for classical and fingerstyle music.

Mahogany delivers a warm, punchy tone with rich midrange, ideal for rhythm playing and intimate, mellow sound.

Koa provides a bright and focused tone that matures to a mellow, sweet sound with age, suitable for a range of styles.

Redwood has a deep, rich sound with a blend of warmth and brightness, offering a complex, full-bodied tone.

Maple is bright and snappy, providing clarity and sustain with less emphasis on bass, perfect for clear, defined sound. Most often used for orchestral instruments and archtop guitars. 

Mahogany produces a warm, mellow tone with strong midrange presence, offering a smooth, intimate sound that's perfect for acoustic blues and folk music.

Walnut offers a balanced tone with warm lows and bright mids, making it versatile for a variety of genres.

Ziricote delivers a rich, full sound with excellent sustain and a defined midrange, similar to rosewood but with a touch of brightness.

Bubinga produces a strong, punchy tone with great sustain, making it ideal for percussive playing and heavier strumming.

Rosewood has deep bass and sparkling highs, delivering a balanced, complex sound with great sustain, ideal for strumming and fingerpicking.

Koa provides a balanced tone with warmth and brightness, developing a sweeter, more mellow sound as it ages.