Revolutionize Your Knowledge with MB Sound Tops

Productos de acabado para luthería OldWood

Tom and Giuliano’s analysis: a journey through mb sound woods

In the world of guitar building, every detail matters. British luthier Tom Sands, renowned for his craftsmanship and commitment to excellence, understands this well. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Tom explores the MB Sound tops from Maderas Barber alongside Giuliano Nicoletti. In this discussion, they share their insights on how the specific characteristics of each wood, supported by precise acoustic data, can elevate guitar construction to a whole new level.

What Makes MB Sound Special?

MB Sound isn’t just any collection of woods. Each top undergoes a sound analysis that provides detailed acoustic data, helping luthiers choose the best option based on the style of guitar they want to create. Maderas Barber offers specific information on factors like density, acoustic radiation coefficient, stiffness (Young’s modulus), Q factor (sustain and damping), among others. These values are measured using software developed by Giuliano Nicoletti, who has been researching the acoustic phenomenon of guitars for years.

Tom and Giuliano’s Analysis: A Journey Through MB Sound Woods

Tom and Giuliano’s Analysis: A Journey Through MB Sound Woods

In the video, Tom and Giuliano review a variety of MB Sound tops, from Canadian Red Cedar to spruces like Alpine (Austria), European (Carpathian), and torrefied Adirondack (Canada). Each type of wood has unique qualities that influence the guitar’s acoustic response, and Giuliano provides detailed explanations on how to leverage these properties based on the type of guitar being built.

  • Canadian Red Cedar: This wood, known for its aroma and durability, offers a distinct resonance with greater sustain, thanks to its 30 years of natural drying. Giuliano explains that aged cedar retains its stiffness while improving damping, making it ideal for fingerstyle guitars.
  • Alpine Spruce and European Spruce: While these woods share some properties, their origins bring significant differences. Alpine spruce (Austria) and European spruce (Carpathian) offer contrasts in density and acoustic response. Tom and Giuliano highlight how the acoustic data of each top allows better prediction of the tone and performance of the final instrument.
  • Torrefied Adirondack Spruce: Thanks to the torrefaction process, which simulates natural aging, this wood gains the character of aged timber, making it ideal for guitars with a rich and projecting tonal quality.

Building with data: precision in every project

One of the main benefits of MB Sound, which Tom emphasizes in his review, is the ability to create a solid reference library. This consistency and control in every project are vital for any luthier. With access to these detailed data points, luthiers can compare woods of the same species and optimize their choice for the style of guitar they aim to build.

Explore MB Sound tops at Maderas Barber

The collaboration between Tom Sands and Giuliano Nicoletti demonstrates how the use of detailed data transforms material selection into a precise building tool. At Maderas Barber, we offer luthiers the opportunity to try these unique tops and enjoy unprecedented control. We invite you to explore our selection of MB Sound tops and discover the possibilities that each wood brings to the construction process!

For decades, we have offered some of our clients an exclusive selection of wild Canadian cedar. Part of this historic collection has recently returned to our warehouse and is now available for purchase.

Analysis of tops with the TPC-1 Software

Each top has been carefully evaluated and individually measured with the TPC-1 software. The analyses reveal outstanding values, such as an average sustain 45% higher than that of recently cut cedar pieces.

This batch of aged cedar has spent decades drying completely naturally—a slow and meticulous process that has enhanced its acoustic properties to an exceptional level of maturity.

Discover our MB Sound catalog to hear how these unique pieces sound and learn about the tonal qualities that make them the perfect choice for your next guitar.

In addition to tops for acoustic and classical guitars, you’ll also find backs and sides made of Malaysian Blackwood, American Walnut, and Indian Rosewood, all of which have also been analyzed with this software.

To learn more about Tom Sands’ work and Giuliano Nicoletti’s research, follow us at Maderas Barber and stay updated on our upcoming workshops.

MB Sound Tops at Maderas Barber


 Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar... Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar... 2
Last items in stock
Tops

Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar Top MB Exclusive Nº 000121

MB Exclusive
15271
$163.42
Red Cedar Top MB Exclusive 000121 Features: Dimensions: (570x220x4mm)x2 Botanical name: Thuja plicata Origin: Canada Year: 1994 Density: 305 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 4,8Gpa Resonance Frequency: 50,5Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 189,5 Acoustic Radiation Coefficient: 13,1 Density (Kg/m3): The mass of an object divided by its volume....
Malaysian Blackwood Set... Malaysian Blackwood Set... 2
  • On sale!
  • -20%
Last items in stock
Malaysian Blackwood

Malaysian Blackwood Set Nº59 Classical Guitar MB Exclusive

MB Exclusive
13670 y 13671
$244.20 $305.25
Time left
Overview Malaysian Blackwood Set Nº59 Classical Guitar MB Exclusive: Malaysian Blackwood is one of our favourite woods for its many aesthetic and acoustic qualities. For a number of guitar makers it is the future of guitar making, ranking it on a par with the legendary Brazilian Rosewood. These unique sets represent the most exclusive selection in an...
American Walnut Set MB... American Walnut Set MB... 2
Last items in stock
American Walnut

American Walnut Set MB Exclusive Nº 000013 Acoustic Guitar

MB Exclusive
14426 y 14427
$196.23
 Features American Walnut Set MB Exclusive Nº 000013: Dimensions: (555x225x4 mm)x2 and (830x140x4 mm)x2 Botanical name: Juglans Nigra Origin: United States and Canada Year: 2019 Sound Analysis Backs: Density: 520,5 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 10,2 GPa Resonance Frequency: 59,2 Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 100,3 Acoustic Radiation...
AAA Indian Rosewood Set... AAA Indian Rosewood Set... 2
Last items in stock
Indian Rosewood

AAA Indian Rosewood Set Acoustic Guitar MB Exclusive N.000012

MB Exclusive
13370 y 13372
$261.64
Indian Rosewood Set MB Exclusive N.000012 Features: Dimensions: (555x225x4 mm)x2 and (865x135x4 mm)x2 Botanical name: Dalbergia latifolia Origin: India Year: 2022 Sound Analysis Backs: Density: 830,8 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 9,5 GPa Resonance Frequency: 45,2 Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 92,4 Acoustic Radiation Coefficient: 4,1...

MB Sound Tops at Maderas Barber


 Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar... Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar... 2
Last items in stock
Tops

Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar Top MB Exclusive Nº 000121

MB Exclusive
15271
$163.42
Red Cedar Top MB Exclusive 000121 Features: Dimensions: (570x220x4mm)x2 Botanical name: Thuja plicata Origin: Canada Year: 1994 Density: 305 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 4,8Gpa Resonance Frequency: 50,5Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 189,5 Acoustic Radiation Coefficient: 13,1 Density (Kg/m3): The mass of an object divided by its volume....
Malaysian Blackwood Set... Malaysian Blackwood Set... 2
  • On sale!
  • -20%
Last items in stock
Malaysian Blackwood

Malaysian Blackwood Set Nº59 Classical Guitar MB Exclusive

MB Exclusive
13670 y 13671
$244.20 $305.25
Time left
Overview Malaysian Blackwood Set Nº59 Classical Guitar MB Exclusive: Malaysian Blackwood is one of our favourite woods for its many aesthetic and acoustic qualities. For a number of guitar makers it is the future of guitar making, ranking it on a par with the legendary Brazilian Rosewood. These unique sets represent the most exclusive selection in an...
American Walnut Set MB... American Walnut Set MB... 2
Last items in stock
American Walnut

American Walnut Set MB Exclusive Nº 000013 Acoustic Guitar

MB Exclusive
14426 y 14427
$196.23
 Features American Walnut Set MB Exclusive Nº 000013: Dimensions: (555x225x4 mm)x2 and (830x140x4 mm)x2 Botanical name: Juglans Nigra Origin: United States and Canada Year: 2019 Sound Analysis Backs: Density: 520,5 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 10,2 GPa Resonance Frequency: 59,2 Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 100,3 Acoustic Radiation...
AAA Indian Rosewood Set... AAA Indian Rosewood Set... 2
Last items in stock
Indian Rosewood

AAA Indian Rosewood Set Acoustic Guitar MB Exclusive N.000012

MB Exclusive
13370 y 13372
$261.64
Indian Rosewood Set MB Exclusive N.000012 Features: Dimensions: (555x225x4 mm)x2 and (865x135x4 mm)x2 Botanical name: Dalbergia latifolia Origin: India Year: 2022 Sound Analysis Backs: Density: 830,8 Kg/m3 Stiffness / Young's Modulus: 9,5 GPa Resonance Frequency: 45,2 Hz Sustain (Q Factor): 92,4 Acoustic Radiation Coefficient: 4,1...

Everything you need to know about Canadian Cedar

Todo sobre el cedro rojo

Everything you need to know about Canadian Cedar

Ventajas de se cliente vip premium

Our clients say

Elegí Maderas Barber porque es una empresa antigua con mucha experiencia en el sector. Voy a continuar. Terminé la primera guitarra clásica y toca muy bien. Encantado de escucharlos.
Joaquim Pires
Excepcional el trato recibido en mi visita. Grandes profesionales de la madera para instrumentos musicales. Disponen de una grandísima selección de madera para hacerte tu mismo tu guitarra. Auguro un gran éxito internacional para esta empresa valenciana.
Lázaro
Mi experiencia con Maderas Barber ha sido muy buena desde el principio. Durante los años he llegado a conocer varias tiendas que venden maderas para guitarra, pero ninguno de ellos han tenido un variedad tan grande.
Jorgen Bennett Boisen
Maderas Barber is a great example of quality luthier material. Very good. I am a Client and I will not stop being. God bless ;)
Vítor Laborda
Tienda en linea perfecta, donde podemos encontrar todo lo relacionado con la fabricación de instrumentos de madera. En mi caso la guitarra flamenca. Excelentes profesionales, con mucha calidad y variedad de productos, a un precio muy asequible. Gracias
Rafael Gonzalez Comino
Best wood for guitars. Large selection of wood species. Very good customer service!
Andrei Oprisan

Follow Us on Social Media

Comments (0)
No comments at this moment
Only registered and logged customers can add comments
Product added to wishlist
Product added to compare.