Sitka Spruce is the default steel string wood. It is one of the hardest Spruces and some classical makers refuse to use it for various reasons. John Gilbert, the well known maker of David Russell guitars has made some of the best guitars in the world with it. Lisa De Granada reports that many Granada builders are starting to use it but they have to learn to thin the soundboard more than usual. Sitka does have it's own tone and you can hear this on David Tanenbaum's "Estudios" CD.