Electric Guitar Buying Guide Basic Of Electric Guitar Home > Do It Online > Learn online > Guitar How to Choose an Electric Guitar The anatomy of an electric guitar Tonewoods: sonic signature Since the earliest days of music, instruments and woods have had a relationship, and electric guitars are no different. The woods used in electric guitars are often referred to as tonewoods. These are are well known for having desirable tone and sustain when used in musical instruments. It’s interesting to note that the wood itself takes on different characteristics depending on which part of the guitar it’s used for. The woods listed below are the most commonly used tonewoods for electric guitars, though you will find others. Even though one guitar may have the same tonewoods as another, they may still sound very different.