Physical properties of native and thermally treated European woods as potential alternative to Indian rosewood for the use in classical guitars

Untreated and thermally modified woods of cherry, service tree, pear and plum were investigated as potential substitutions for Indian rosewood in guitar making. Acoustic properties such as dynamic modulus of elasticity, dynamic shear modulus in LR-plane and loss coefficient as an indicator for damping were determined by means of experimental modal analysis and the mechanical properties by means of static bending and hardness test. The swelling behavior was also investigated. The results suggest that cherry and service tree could be used as alternative back and side material and plum and service tree may also be used for fingerboards. Thermal modifications at 160 °C for 8 h improve swelling behavior, mechanical properties, but damping was slightly increased for cherry and pear. No significant change of Brinell hardness was observed owing to thermal modification.