Regarding Cattail's question about using oak, there is no reason why oak shouldn't be used for the sides and back. You would be well advised to make sure that the sides are quarter-sawn, to minimize any bending problems, but the back could be slab-sawn.

Taylor's famous "pallet" guitar was constructed out of oak, and according to Bob Taylor sounds great. Given most musicians' slavish adherence to tradition, however, there is no way oak will ever become a mainstream wood for guitar building.

Murray