Is Honduran Mahogany good for guitars?
Tonally, the best Honduran Mahogany delivers a lively, detailed response, balanced, with a warm character, excellent bass, and vocal midrange. Both in electric and acoustic guitars, a mahogany bodied guitar will offer a focused, powerful tone, with the fundamentals in slight preeminence over the harmonics.
Is mahogany a good guitar wood?
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 much does Honduran Mahogany cost?
Honduran mahogany is selling for more than $10/bf with a premium for longer lengths and widths. African mahogany retails for $5 to $6/bf.
Are all mahogany guitars any good?
The all solid mahogany Martin D-15 is as good as it gets. As an all solid wood construction dreadnought, the thing is a true Martin in every way. I’ve played a dozen or more of these guitars at guitar stores, and every single last one was perfect.
Do mahogany guitars sound better with age?
In electric guitars, mahogany bodies offer a gnarly growl and legendary sustain. Good quality mahogany ages very well and sounds better as it matures – it’s part of the reason those mid-’50s Les Pauls go for so much today!
What mahogany does Gibson use?
The Honduran Mahogany or Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) used by Gibson for their guitars such as the Les Paul and SG, is a tree that grows in Central and South America. At one time, Honduras was the main exporter, hence its name.
Is mahogany wood expensive?
Cost. For one, mahogany is an expensive wood. As mahogany only grows in tropical environs, the cost of the wood escalates over the cost of domestic woods given the additive expenses of shipping and importing.
Why is mahogany illegal?
Following the path of ivory, in 2003, mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction. Because Peruvian mahogany is traded in violation of CITES, it is illegal to trade or possess it under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Is African mahogany wood expensive?
Sales of African mahogany, in particular, have increased significantly during the last several years. However, African mahogany definitely differs from the genuine article. “It’s less expensive than genuine mahogany, [but] it’s a little harder to deal with, grain-wise.
Which is harder maple or mahogany?
Maple is a much more densely packed wood that is both heavier and harder than mahogany. Because of this, species such as the rock maple and the sugar maple are often used in flooring and cabinetry.
Are mahogany guitars heavy?
Mahogany guitars are generally heavier, with alder being quite light. Because of this, alder gives a light bright sound, and Mahogany gives a deeper Les-Paulier sound. Of course it depends what sort of guitar the wood is used in. Semi-hollowbodies and semi-acoustics are generally a bit lighter than solid-body guitars.
Did Gibson use African mahogany?
It’s important to note that while Gibson reportedly used African mahogany during times of low Honduran supply as well as a few other species of Mahogany, African mahogany is actually a totally different species of wood altogether. Due to African mahogany’s lighter weight, it has become a modern day substitute.
What kind of wood is Honduran mahogany made of?
The Honduran Mahogany consists of hardwood that varies in color and changes color with age. The Honduran Mahogany wood varies from moderately durable to very durable depending on the density, girth, sunlight, and the growing conditions of the tree.
What kind of mahogany is used in guitar making?
Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is the species most often seen in the guitar-building world, with the rare Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) and smaller Pacific Coast mahogany (Swietenia humilis) rounding out the genus.
What kind of wood is used to build guitars?
Capital “M” mahogany, the sought-after wood for guitar building, comes only from the three species of the genus Swietenia, tropical trees that, when converted to timber, are collectively referred to as “genuine mahogany.”
What is the color of Honduran heartwood?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood color can vary a fair amount with Honduran Mahogany, from a pale pinkish brown, to a darker reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age.