The “front” of a guitar, whether an acoustic or electric model. On an electric, the top may be a separate piece of wood from the rest of the body or simply the front surface of the main body wood. Maple is the most common wood used for separate electric guitar tops; it will contribute added brightness to the tone of the guitar.

On an acoustic, the top is a thin sheet of solid or laminated wood that vibrates in response to the string motion and is a primary contributor to the tone of the guitar. Various types of spruce and cedar are common as acoustic guitar tops.