What You Need To Know

A Martin dreadnought and a Taylor Grand Auditorium… what’s new? These two familiar shapes are usually associated with rosewood and mahogany back and sides teamed with a Sitka spruce top. Not here – both use non-traditional African tonewoods in different ways.

How so? Taylor has employed copafera here (also known by the name etimoe) as the outer layer for the back and sides on the 214ce-CF DLX. Martin uses solid mutenye for the back and sides of the DCRSG. Both have solid Sitka spruce tops.

Why introduce these alternatives to rosewood now? If it ain’t broke… The recent CITES restrictions have had a big impact on the import and export of rosewoods. Many guitar companies are looking to offer alternative options in their ranges. But this diversification can potentially bring new cosmetic and tonal flavours.