Top

The top of a guitar refers to the front face of the body, usually the wood panel that has the sound hole on an acoustic or the pickups mounted on an electric. It’s one of the most important parts for tone, especially on acoustics, where the top’s wood type, thickness, and construction greatly affect resonance, volume, and warmth.

Common woods for guitar tops include spruce, cedar, and maple. On electrics, the top can also be a separate piece with special finishes or inlays, adding to the instrument’s aesthetics as well as its sound character.