Padauk Guitar Body Blank - Exotic Tonewood for Custom Electric Guitars

Padauk Guitar Body Blank | Premium Luthier Tonewood for Electric Guitars

Tonewood African Padauk Vermillion Kiln Dried 6-8% Moisture Bright Tone

This kiln-dried Padauk guitar body blank delivers punchy, bright tone with pronounced midrange and crisp highs – perfect for players who want articulate attack and excellent note separation. The straight, interlocked grain structure provides remarkable stability and sustain, while the vibrant vermillion to deep brick-red color adds striking visual drama to any build. Padauk is a highly respected tonewood that offers exotic aesthetics and performance at an accessible price point.

Technical Specifications

Wood Name(s)	African Padauk, Vermillion
Botanical Name	Pterocarpus soyauxii
Thickness Options	Planed: 1-3/4" \| Unplaned: 2"
Length Range	21" – 28"
Width Range	14" – 18"
Drying Method	Kiln Dried
Moisture Content	6-8% (stable for instrument building)

Why Padauk for Electric Guitar Bodies?

Bright, punchy tone – Crisp highs and present mids with excellent clarity – cuts through any mix
Remarkable sustain – Dense, resonant structure delivers long, singing notes and dynamic response
Striking visual impact – Vibrant vermillion to brick-red color adds exotic flair to any guitar design
Excellent workability – Machines and routes cleanly with sharp tools – takes fine detail beautifully
Stable and ready – Kiln-dried to 6-8% MC – dimensionally stable with minimal movement
Affordable exotic – African tonewood with premium performance at a fraction of rosewood prices

Perfect For

Ideal for electric guitar bodies, semi-hollow builds, bass guitars, and modern-style instruments including Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, and custom designs. Padauk is also a fantastic choice for acoustic guitar backs and sides, as well as fingerboards and binding accents.

Pro tip: Padauk's vibrant red color naturally darkens to a rich, warm brownish-red over time with UV exposure. For best results, apply a UV-blocking finish to preserve the brilliant vermillion hue. Takes all finishes beautifully – oil, lacquer, or polyurethane. Note: Padauk dust can cause skin irritation for some – use proper dust collection and PPE when sanding.

Note:

Wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike to start with, the same wood growing in different locales can vary greatly even though it is the same species.
Images are for representational purpose only.

Shipping & Returns

Your order will be on its way within 2 - 3 business days — during promotions, it may take up to 5 days.
We ship safely and quickly via USPS, UPS, or other trusted carriers, with full tracking provided.
Shop with confidence — we offer a 90-day return policy on wood items, and a 14-day return policy on guitar parts, hardware, and strings!
Enjoy free shipping on orders over $99* (excludes lumber, live edges, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and international orders).
For full details, read our Shipping policy and Return Policy.

California Proposition 65 Warning
Cancer and Reproductive Harm
www.p65warnings.ca.gov