Is quilted mahogany rare?
Quilted Mahogany is a rare and beautiful variant of Honduras Mahogany. While woods such as Maple are known for their flamed or quilted figure, Honduras Mahogany can be very dramatically figured as well, although finely-quilted sets of Honduras Mahogany are relatively rare.
Is mahogany good for guitars?
Mahogany produces a strong, earthy midrange tonality with subtle overtones, making for a sound that is often described as “non-abrasive.” Mahogany top guitars are great for playing blues and are also an excellent choice in situations where you are playing with other instruments, since they cut through so well.
How old are trees the best guitars are made from?
Most wood is air dried and aged for many years so by the time it is used to build a guitar it is ~20 years old or more. Of course real old-growth wood is desirable. Whether it is worth the up-charge is a matter of opinion. Basically, what J Patrick said.
What is the tree mahogany?
The mahogany is a large, semi-evergreen tree with a canopy that casts dappled shade. It is a popular landscape tree in Southern Florida. Mahogany tree facts describe the trees as being very tall. They can grow 200 feet (61 m.)
Is mahogany the best guitar wood?
Mahogany: Mahogany is great for the backs and sides of a guitar as it has a great mid range character. It can enhance the mid range tones and add meatiness/thickness to the sound. If this is what you after, then this is a great wood option for you.
Why are guitars made from older trees?
Unlike the timber used in construction or mass produced furniture — plantation species selected for fast growth and quick returns on investment — guitars use rare woods from old-growth trees. On acoustic guitars, the soundboard must be strong, but also light, and reverberate responsively.
How long does it take for guitar wood to dry out?
How long does it take for wood to dry naturally? For wood to dry naturally it needs to have certain conditions, and even then it could take years, The rule of thumb for timber is that it will dry about 1” or 2.5cm a year. So if you have a 2” slab of wood, it will need at least two years to dry.
How much is a mahogany tree worth?
Mahogany wood retail pricing depends on species, quality and wood source. The lower end wood from the Philippines for example costs between $6 and $8 per board foot, while high end Honduras wood may range between $10 and $15 per board foot.
Why is mahogany bad?
Because it prevents native trees that face extinction from growing. You see, mahogany is self-centered and vain. It just so happens that soil with a serving of acidity that Mahogany loves so much isn’t so good for other organisms. This makes them very invasive and able to choke out other plants.
How old is the largest mahogany tree in the world?
To understand The Tree’s history we have to go back to 1965. Deep in the Honduran rainforest jungle of Chiquibul, a small party of loggers happened upon a towering mahogany. At over 100 feet high and 10 feet in diameter at the base, this tree was massive in every sense of the word. Best estimates would later place it at approximately 500 years old.
Where did the Magnificent mutant mahogany tree come from?
In 1965 lumber mill scouts in Honduras’ Chicibul jungle located a “magnificent mutant,” a mahogany giant, and cut it. Because of the way the cut tree fell and its overwhelming size, it was not until the early 70’s that a company with heavy equipment pulled the tree in sections from the rain forest and sawed it into boards.
Why is the tonewood tree called a tortoise shell?
The Tree’s figure (commonly called quilted, blistered, or tortoise shell) is thought to be caused by a genetic defect. In truth, the reason for its dramatic appearance remains largely a mystery. While the cause of its beauty may be open for debate, the fact that it is beautiful certainly is not.