Eastman ADIRONDACK Spruce INFO:

ADIRONDACK, or RED Spruce, is an extremely strong, stiff wood with the highest cross-sectional strength and across-the-grain stiffness of all the spruces. In addition, it consistently rates at the top in strength-to-weight ratio. Unlike SITKA spruce, it seldom shows bearclaw figure and the medullar rays are more muted, as in ENGELMANN, European or White Spruce. RED spruce was preferred by wood-frame airplane builders early in the 20th Century and also found extensive use for piano soundboards even earlier. Instrument makers such as Gibson and Martin found it made superb tonewood for flattop guitars, archtop guitars, and mandolins. The legendary pre-1945 Martin and Gibson guitars had tops and bracing of RED Spruce as did the famous Lloyd Loar F-5 mandolin. C.F. Martin and Gibson began switching to Sitka in the mid-1940s. Better availability and consistency in the appearance of SITKA were major factors. However, many people believe ADIRONDACK (RED) Spruce to be tonally superior. The sound of the old instruments constructed of ADIRONDACK, as well as the results achieved by present-day makers, tend to support that belief.Today, many high end guitarmakers are continuing the RED spruce tradition and customer awareness is growing. Buy a new Eastman with ADIRONDACK (RED)spruce top and enjoy that superior tone!.