The Sounding Board (sáwndɪŋ bɔ́rd) is the wooden top piece the body of an acoustic guitar. This is the flat surface opposite the headstock of the guitar where the strings, bridge, and saddle are attached. In addition to being the plain where the various pieces of the body are fastened to, the sounding board is also crucial to create acoustic sound. When the user plucks or strums the strings, the sounding board vibrates, causing the air inside the body of the guitar to swirl around and eventually exits the soundhole as acoustic sound. Ultimately, the sounding board of an acoustic guitar is vital in determining the quality of the instrument. This piece of wood can be manufactured from a variety of wood types, but sitka spruce and cedar are two of the most popular. Less expensive guitars often use laminates (IE: ply-wood).