Spanish cedar

The timber of Cedrela odorata, a light, fragrant wood traditional for classical guitar necks.

It grows across Central and South America and is not a true cedar but a relative of mahogany, which explains how it behaves: light, stable, easy to carve and pleasant to work. It is the traditional neck material of classical and flamenco guitars, where lightness at the headstock end helps the instrument balance, and it is also used for linings and internal blocks. It is commonly described as contributing a warm, quick response without the mass or hardness of a mahogany neck. Its aromatic resin deters insects, but the dust is a well-known respiratory sensitiser and the species is under export controls in several countries.

Example: A classical guitar with a Spanish cedar neck and heel is light in the left hand and stable enough to hold its action through a humid summer.

typical use: Necks, linings and internal parts of classical and flamenco guitars.

Spanish cedar

See also