Jatoba is a type of wood that’s gaining popularity among guitarists. It’s known for its hardness and durability, making it a great tonewood. But what is it?
Jatoba is a hardwood from Central and South America belonging to the genus Hymenaea. It’s known for its dark reddish-brown color and interlocked grain pattern, making it a popular choice for guitar fretboards.
In this article, I’ll dive into what jatoba is, its tonal properties, and why it’s such a popular choice for guitars.
Getting to Know Jatoba Wood: A Comprehensive Guide
Jatoba wood is a type of tonewood that is an excellent alternative to rosewood and ebony. It is associated with a dark, rich color and grain that make it highly sought after by luthiers and players alike. Jatoba wood comes from the Jatoba tree, which is native to Central and South America and is a part of the Fabaceae family. The Jatoba tree is prevalent in North, Central, and West America and is the biggest tree in the genus Hymenaea.
Properties and Characteristics
Jatoba wood is known for its stiffness and hardness, making it an excellent tonewood for guitars and other instruments. It has increased in popularity in recent years due to its excellent tonal properties and visual appeal. Some of the properties and characteristics of Jatoba wood include:
- Low to mid-range cost compared to other tonewoods
- Naturally occurring variations in color, with the sapwood being grey and the heartwood being a beautiful reddish-brown with burnt orange striations
- Highly durable and resistant to wear and tear
- Seasoned and treated Jatoba wood has a beautiful, polished look
- Jatoba wood is abundantly available, making it a popular choice for guitar manufacturers
- Jatoba wood looks similar to cherry wood, but with a darker, more pronounced grain
Uses of Jatoba Wood in Guitars
Jatoba wood is a popular choice for guitar fretboards due to its excellent tonal properties and visual appeal. It is currently used in a variety of guitar series, including:
- Ibanez RG series
- Jackson Soloist series
- Schecter Hellraiser series
- ESP LTD M series
Jatoba wood is also used in guitar bodies and necks, although it is less prevalent in these areas due to its tendency to have less traction than other tonewoods.
Comparison to Other Tonewoods
In terms of tonal properties, Jatoba wood falls somewhere between rosewood and ebony. It has a mid-range sound with a good balance of highs and lows. In terms of visual appeal, Jatoba wood is often compared to rosewood due to its similar color and grain, although it has a darker, more pronounced grain than rosewood.
Is Jatoba Actually Any Good?
Jatoba is an excellent tonewood that has been gaining popularity among guitarists in recent years. It is a warmer type of wood that serves as an alternative to the standard tonewoods like rosewood and maple. Some guitarists prefer it over these traditional tonewoods because it lacks the slightly sharp character that they associate with rosewood and maple.
The Benefits of Jatoba Wood
- Jatoba is an extremely strong and durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
- It is significantly easier to work with than some other tonewoods, making it a popular choice for guitar manufacturers.
- Jatoba has a unique grain pattern that gives it a distinct look when used for inlay or as a cover for truss rods.
- Its pronounced grain pattern also makes it smoother to the touch, making it easier to play for soloists who require sharpness and clarity in their notes.
- Unlike some other tonewoods, Jatoba does not require any special maintenance or drying to ensure that it sounds its best.
How to Decide if Jatoba is Right for You
- If you are considering using Jatoba for your instrument, it depends on what you are looking for in terms of sound and feel.
- Jatoba is a great option if you want a warmer, smoother sound that still has plenty of character.
- It is also a good choice if you want a tonewood that is easy to work with and highly durable.
- Ultimately, the decision to use Jatoba as a tonewood is up to you and what you want out of your instrument.
Unleashing the Jatoba Tone: A Closer Look at Jatoba Tonewood
Jatoba tonewood is important for those who want to add warmth and richness to their guitar sound. It offers a great alternative to rosewood and other tonewoods that are typically used for acoustic guitars. Jatoba is also a great choice for those who want a slightly brighter sound than rosewood but still want a warm and rounded tone.
Feel the Beauty: Exploring the Look and Feel of Jatoba Tonewood
Jatoba tonewood is a beautiful hardwood that is predominantly sourced from Central and South America. The wood has a medium to dark color, with noticeable grain patterns that appear as a tangle of lines. The sides of the wood are lighter in color than the tops, which can be emphasized by the finish applied to the wood. Jatoba is often used as a substitute for rosewood, which is a common tonewood used in guitar making.
How Jatoba Tonewood is Used in Guitar Making
Jatoba tonewood is commonly used as a tonewood for the back and sides of acoustic guitars. It is also used as a fretboard material and as an extra layer in the neck of some guitars. Jatoba is often compared to maple tonewood, which is another common tonewood used in guitar making. However, Jatoba provides a warmer and more open sound than maple.
Why Jatoba Wood is a Durable Choice for Guitar Building
Jatoba wood is known for its strength and density, making it an excellent choice for guitar building. The interlocked grain of Jatoba wood makes it resistant to warping and twisting, which can be a concern for guitar necks. The wood is also less prone to issues like blunting of tools, making it easier to work with during the building process.
Durability and Resistance to Rot and Termites
Jatoba wood is a hard and durable wood that is resistant to rot and termites. This makes it an excellent choice for guitar building, as it can live up to the wear and tear of regular use. Additionally, the wood is harder than many other guitar woods, which can help to prevent damage from gauge strings and adjustments to the truss rod.
Jatoba Wood and Music
Jatoba wood is an excellent choice for guitar building due to its strength and durability. The wood is dense and hard, which can help to produce a bright and clear tone. Additionally, the wood is resistant to the blunting effect of strings, which can help to maintain the tone of the guitar over time.
Other Uses of Jatoba Guitar Wood
- Jatoba is a popular choice for fretboards due to its durability and hardness.
- It has a medium grain that is similar to rosewood, but with a darker color.
- Jatoba is commonly used in electric guitars, particularly in Ibanez bass guitars.
- It is also used as an alternative to rosewood in acoustic guitars.
- Jatoba has a pronounced tone and a nice feel, making it a great choice for guitar necks.
Jatoba vs Other Woods
- Jatoba is a strong and durable wood that is a popular choice for guitar building.
- It is a cheaper alternative to ebony, but has a similar feel and tone.
- Jatoba is also a popular alternative to rosewood, which has become more difficult to obtain due to CITES regulations.
- Jatoba has a coarse grain that can make it difficult to work with, but it finishes well.
- It is not as popular as maple or rosewood, but it is highly regarded by guitarists who have used it.
Proper Maintenance and Care for Jatoba Wood
- Jatoba wood is extremely durable and requires little maintenance.
- It is important to protect the wood from nature and keep it dry to prevent any warping or cracking.
- Jatoba wood can benefit from a little extra drying time before being used in a guitar.
- When properly dried and maintained, jatoba wood can offer a warmer and sharper tone than other woods.
- Jatoba wood is a great choice for guitar builders who want to offer their customers a high-quality and unique instrument.
Guitars That Rock Jatoba Tonewood
Jatoba tonewood is an excellent alternative to rosewood, ebony, and other popular guitar woods. It offers superb tonal properties, looks beautiful, and is abundantly available. In recent years, its popularity has increased among guitar players and luthiers alike. In this section, we will take a look at some of the guitars that use jatoba wood.
Acoustic Guitars
Jatoba is typically used for backs and sides, as well as fretboards, on acoustic guitars. It is highly associated with the Ibanez brand, which offers a range of jatoba-equipped acoustic guitars, such as the Ibanez AC340CE and the Ibanez AW54JR. Other examples of jatoba-equipped acoustic guitars include:
- Cort CR230
- Tribute SeriesESP LTD TL-6
- Tribute SeriesESP LTD TL-12
- Tribute SeriesESP LTD TL-15
- Jatoba Series
Rosewood vs Jatoba: The Battle of Warmth and Durability
Rosewood and Jatoba are two highly prized species of wood that are both excellent choices for guitar tonewoods. While they share some similarities, such as their warm and beautiful color, there are some notable differences between the two:
- Jatoba is a relatively stable and durable wood that is resistant to rot and outdoor elements, making it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture and decking. Rosewood, on the other hand, is a bit more delicate and prone to cracking and warping if not properly cared for.
- Jatoba is readily available and relatively affordable, while some species of rosewood are becoming increasingly rare and expensive due to over-harvesting and trade restrictions.
- Jatoba has a fuller midrange and a slightly warmer character than rosewood, which tends to have a more scooped midrange and a brighter high-end.
The Sounding Qualities of Jatoba and Rosewood
When it comes to guitar tonewoods, both Jatoba and Rosewood are highly prized for their warm and rich sound. However, there are some differences in their tonal characteristics:
- Jatoba has a slightly fuller midrange and a warmer character than rosewood, which can make it a great choice for players who want a more balanced and rounded sound.
- Rosewood, on the other hand, tends to have a more scooped midrange and a brighter high-end, which can make it a great choice for players who want a more cutting and articulate sound.
Maple vs Jatoba: Which Wood Type is Best for Your Guitar?
The type of wood you choose for your guitar can significantly affect its overall tone. Here’s how maple and jatoba compare in this regard:
- Maple is generally associated with a bright, snappy tone that’s well-suited for rock and other high-energy styles.
- Jatoba, on the other hand, produces a warmer, more rounded sound that’s often preferred by jazz and blues players.
The Benefits of Choosing Maple
If you’re looking for a wood type that’s highly versatile and produces a bright, snappy tone, maple may be the right choice for you. Here are some of the main benefits of using maple for your guitar:
- Maple is a hard, strong wood that’s highly durable and resistant to wear and tear.
- Maple is a popular choice for guitar necks and bodies because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to work with.
- Maple finishes well and can be produced in a wide range of colors and styles to suit your personal preferences.
How Maple and Jatoba Finishes Compare
The finish you choose for your guitar can also significantly affect its overall tone and feel. Here’s how maple and jatoba finishes compare:
- Maple finishes tend to be lighter and more transparent, which can help to protect the wood while still allowing its natural grain to show through.
- Jatoba finishes tend to be darker and more opaque, which can help to improve the wood’s tone and protect it from dirt and other types of damage.
Which Wood Type Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the type of wood you choose for your guitar will depend on your personal preferences and playing style. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:
- If you’re looking for a wood type that’s highly versatile and produces a bright, snappy tone, maple is a great choice.
- If you want a wood type that’s unique and produces a warm, rich tone, jatoba is an excellent alternative to rosewood and ebony.
- Keep in mind that the type of wood you choose will also affect the overall feel and playability of your instrument, so it’s important to choose a wood type that feels comfortable and natural in your hands.
Conclusion
Jatoba is a type of wood that’s great for making guitars. It’s similar to cherry wood but darker and has a pronounced grain pattern.
It’s a great alternative to rosewood and ebony and has a nice feel and sound. You should consider getting a guitar with jatoba tonewoods if you’re looking for a warm type of wood with a good mid range sound.
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.
