The denser and heavier the wood,
the more it is likely to sustain,
along with influencing other tonal effects.

Of course, people don't like a guitar that's too heavy,
so a balance must be struck.


As for the tightness of the grain in any given species..
you'll see tight grain chosen for the spruce soundboard
on top end archtops. These pieces are 'tap-toned' before
being selected and the tight grain is beneficial.


I agree that these characteristics don't influence the
tone as much as the fingers and technique of the player...


... but don't forget the pick.
It can make a vast difference in your tone.
It's also so small that you don't have to take
weight into consideration.

I had an idea to use Lignum Vitae, which is the world's
strongest and heaviest wood, for guitar picks..
and have been making them for about 6 months now.

My theory is that since sound travels so much better
in a liquid medium than it does elsewhere,
the enormous amount of natural oil embedded in
the cellular structure of LV would enhance tone greatly.