At Clements Guitars, the choice of wood isn’t just important—it’s foundational. Before a guitar ever takes shape, before a single cut is made or a pickup is installed, it begins with the right piece of wood. And that choice is never made lightly. Each species, grain, and cut is selected with care, knowing it will shape how the guitar feels, sounds, and ages over time.
Maple and Mahogany: The Core of the Build
Many Clements models, like the 32 Series, feature a classic pairing of figured maple and genuine mahogany. But what makes these guitars stand out is the quality standard behind that pairing.
Maple is chosen for its clarity and brightness, but also for its visual impact. The right piece of maple needs more than just figure—it needs depth and character, without any greenwood, knots, or wormholes. Clements Guitars works with 5A grade maple tops that not only look incredible but contribute a crisp top-end to the overall tone.
Mahogany brings warmth and balance to the table. It’s used in both bodies and necks, and only quartersawn pieces with strong, straight grain are accepted. This improves resonance and helps ensure long-term stability, especially important for neck construction.
A Neck That Holds Up Over Time
Each neck starts from a solid billet of genuine mahogany. No laminates, no shortcuts. To protect against twisting and warping, dual carbon fiber rods are added inside the neck during construction. With modern string tension putting over 200 pounds of pressure on the neck, these reinforcements make a noticeable difference in performance and longevity.
Ziricote Fingerboards: Style, Tone, and Sustainability
While ebony is a familiar choice for high-end fingerboards, Clements Guitars often turns to ziricote. It’s a dense hardwood that comes from Mexico and Central America, and it’s gaining popularity for good reason.
Ziricote has a rich, natural variation that gives each fretboard a one-of-a-kind look. Its spider-webbing and burl-like patterns add character, while its density and smooth surface make it just as playable as ebony. It’s also a more sustainable option, which matters as high-quality ebony becomes harder to source responsibly.
Sound That Grows With You
The wood used in a guitar isn’t just about how it sounds today. It’s about how it will sound years from now. A properly selected mahogany neck settles in with time. A maple top becomes more resonant the more it’s played. A ziricote fingerboard tells its story as the finish wears into the grain.
At Clements Guitars, the goal is to start with the kind of materials that allow the instrument to evolve and improve with age, from the raw wood to the final polish.