Musical instrument (electric solid body guitar) operates on the principle of mechanical vibration, which is transferred to the pick up that sends the signal to the amplifier that produces sound through the speakers (free space). For a good electric guitar sound, a good choice of pick-up and strings is not enough, but also the correct choice of materials for making the body and the neck, and of course the shape of both parts. The problem is in the acoustics of materials that have a decisive influence on the final sound image of a musical instrument. For the purpose of electric guitars production we researched the acoustic properties of the test subjects from Walnut wood (Juglans regia L.) and Ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior L.). At impulse transverse mechanical excitation we also determined the flexural rigidity and damping characteristics of the elements, and we set acoustic quality indicators.

For the purpose of making of a solid body of an electric guitar the acoustic-and mechanical properties of walnut-(Juglans regia L.) and ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior L.) were researched. The acoustic properties were determined in a flexural vibration response of laboratory conditioned wood elements of 430 × 186 × 42.8 mm used for making of a solid body of an electric guitar. The velocity of shearand compression ultrasonic waves was additionally determined in parallel small oriented samples of 80 × 40 × 40 mm. The research confirmed better mechanical properties of ash wood, that is, the larger modulus of elasticity and shear modules in all anatomical directions and planes. The acoustic quality of ash wood was better only in the basic vibration mode. Walnut was, on the other hand, lighter and more homogenous and had lower acoustic-and mechanical anisotropy. Additionally, reduced damping of walnut at higher vibration modes is assumed to have a positive impact on the vibration response of future modelled and built solid bodies of electric guitars. When choosing walnut wood, better energy transfer is expected at a similar string playing frequency and a structure resonance of the electric guitar.