Many Chinese people and especially the acupuncturists believe that the balance Yin and the Yang is crucial. Likewise, some of the guitarists believe that the balance in tone (how bright and how dark) is important as well.
Ko Cho had a customer who wishes to have a balance in the tone of his acoustic guitar. He wants the bass to sound less of the bass and the treble to sound less of the treble. In other words, he wants a brighter bass and warmer and darker treble. So here's what Ko Cho did to meet his requirement:
A picture speaks a thousand words, isn't? As you can see, half of the top of this particular guitar is made from spurce and the other half is made from red cedar. But what is the purpose of this? Here is his explanation.
Spurce has a brighter tone, trebly in nature. By making the left half of the top with spruce, the side with the bass strings, it helps to give a more brighter and distinctive bass notes. I have heard it in action and I really like the tone of the bass strings. Even when playing a real bass, I would settle for a jazz bass rather than a precision because I prefer my bass notes to be distinctive and bright. The compatibility with the music I am playing is, of course, another story.
Cedar on the other hand, is the direct opposite of spruce; it has a soft attack and warm in tone. These two are just the things needed to get that warmer treble. So with this in mind, the luthier made the other half with red cedar (probably imported from the States since red cedar is super rare here).
The combination of these two types of wood gives precisely what the customer has asked for. Oh, the sides and the back is made of mahogany if I remember correctly.
I have some food for thoughts though. Combining these two woods does give a balance to the tone right now. However, the common belief and opinion is that these two types of wood mature at a different rate. Spruce takes a longer to mature and open up than cedar. So let's say in 4 years time, what will the tone be like?
