do mahogany tops open up like spruce?

[rochester2002]

Just wondering, or is it more common with spruce. Wondering what I should expect in the next few months with my Guild GAD25. I've decided to keep it instead of getting a GAD50. I already have a spruce topped Yamaha, so wanted something different. So does it open up? If you're not familiar with the Guild GAD series, its all solid mahogany. Thanks

[guitarist21]

Both open up, though at different paces. In my experience, spruce tends to take a little longer. Mahogany tends to open up right out of the gate. I have a mahogany Gibson LG-0 and its tone is the same as its been for years and years.

 

But beware: spruce is always going to sound brighter than mahogany, opened up or not. Mahogany is a more mid-rangy wood. Spruce is not going to "open up" and miraculously sound like mahogany. They're very distinctive woods, and the difference in tone after "opening up" is usually pretty subtle.

 

Good luck with your decision!

 

Ellen

[EvilTwin]

If it's a solid top -- whether it be spruce, cedar, mahogany or koa -- it's going to "open up."

 

As g21 said, spruce usually takes the longest.

 

BTW, the GAD-25 is one HELL of a guitar. Good choice.

[d28andm1911a1]

 

spruce usually takes the longest

 

 

I don't know if that is true. I've played some 30-50s Martin 17s that were still opening up, more with each year, just like a spruce top. They sure open up different but I think that both just keep opening up for decades, I've never found a period when I could say well it won't open up anymore with any solid top guitar.

[JasmineTea]

Opening is kinda strange. Lots of opinion as to what is actualy happening to a guitar while opening. IMO, after a guitar is built there's still some stress left in all the parts. Back, sides, top are not "relaxed" completely into the form of a guitar, and as time goes by and the stress eases, you hear it change. But I also think there's a change in the risidual sap in the wood.

[Bilbo]

Mahogany is considered a hardwood in the world of woods. Research shows that spruce, cedar, etc. actually degenerates with playing, the resin encapsulating the individual wood cells breaks down, creating a longer cell with loose resin inside, truly "opening up" the sound. For spruce and cedar, sit your guitar in front of a speaker that causes the strings to vibrate to your favorite acoustic tunes. This will speed up the breaking in process.

 

I can't say fer sher about mahogany, but do to its hard woodedness, I think there might be other factors. Guitarist21 hit the nail on the head. With mahogany, as with maple, it's probably more just a natural wood aging/shrinkage process, hence these guitar tops sounding open right out of the gate.

[guitarcapo]

I had a Gibson J-200 that seemed to "open up" over a one week period about a year after I bought it. Changed a lot for the better but quickly and abruptly. It was weird. Maybe some glue gave or a brace shifted or something. It didn't seem to change much after that.

[Bilbo]

I always envision that guy at the factory that sneezes just as he's gluing a brace on. The difference between a standard tone and that one-of-a-kind.

[D-28]

Allthough Mahogany is considered a "hardwood " it is the softest of the hardwoods. It is what it is, kind of pre-broken down.

Mahogany holds up well to water and temp changes which is why it was used extensively in boat building.

Bouncing sound waves off it, I would think it would absorb more energy than a harder wood which is why it has a "warmer" tone.

But I don't build guitars, I'm a shipwright so it's just my opinion.

[Bilbo]

 

Originally posted by D-28 Allthough Mahogany is considered a "hardwood " it is the softest of the hardwoods. It is what it is, kind of pre-broken down. Mahogany holds up well to water and temp changes which is why it was used extensively in boat building. Bouncing sound waves off it, I would think it would absorb more energy than a harder wood which is why it has a "warmer" tone. But I don't build guitars, I'm a shipwright so it's just my opinion.

 

 

What would happen if you built a ship in the shape of a Jumbo body?

[Old_Joe_Clark]

 

Originally posted by JasmineTea Opening is kinda strange. Lots of opinion as to what is actualy happening to a guitar while opening. IMO, after a guitar is built there's still some stress left in all the parts. Back, sides, top are not "relaxed" completely into the form of a guitar, and as time goes by and the stress eases, you hear it change. But I also think there's a change in the risidual sap in the wood.

 

 

I'm leaning towards this theory too. I used to think it might be some change at the wood cell level. But my recent experience with my 000-15S points to a loosening up of the whole guitar.

 

BTW, I can't find anything wrong with this guitar after the recent accident I was in. Yes, the action's a bit higher and I need to get it back down. But no broken braces and the top is not bowed as much as my other guitars that were safe and sound in my guitar room. Neck straight, etc etc. So ...loosened up all over? Kinda looks like it.

[JasmineTea]

Old_Joe, glad to hear the git's ok, how are you?

[Sweb]

Interesting read.

 

http://www.pantheonguitars.com/tonewoods.htm

[Old_Joe_Clark]

 

Originally posted by JasmineTea Old_Joe, glad to hear the git's ok, how are you ?

 

 

I'll be OK. Nothing really hurts badly. Just some deep bruises. And ...although I don't have the check yet...the Insurance co appears to be ready to give me a fair deal on the loss of my GMC. Thanks for asking.

[Sambora#2]

 

Originally posted by D-28 Allthough Mahogany is considered a "hardwood " it is the softest of the hardwoods. It is what it is, kind of pre-broken down. Mahogany holds up well to water and temp changes which is why it was used extensively in boat building. Bouncing sound waves off it, I would think it would absorb more energy than a harder wood which is why it has a "warmer" tone. But I don't build guitars, I'm a shipwright so it's just my opinion.

 

 

Sorry to be a thread hijacker, but technically balsa wood is the softest hardwood. It is technically a hardwood according to it's structure.

[Mikeo]

 

Originally posted by rochester2002 Just wondering, or is it more common with spruce. Wondering what I should expect in the next few months with my Guild GAD25. I've decided to keep it instead of getting a GAD50. I already have a spruce topped Yamaha, so wanted something different. So does it open up? If you're not familiar with the Guild GAD series, its all solid mahogany. Thanks

 

 

 

Don't expect the mahogany guitar to sound like a spuce top guitar. The Mahogany has it's own vibe, it's very nice, but not as crisp.