Mahogany Acoustics

[jadedlikeme]

So I went hunting for my first acoustic today. Hit two Sam Ash's in my area -- at the last one I noticed a Washburn WD18SW and decided to give it a try. Well, I fell in love with the tone and I think it's because of the Sapele (african mahogany) top, sides and back. Man it just sounded good, nice sustain, loud projection, rich tone. Maybe I'm just used to my mahogany body electric but I like that tone.

 

Also found that the satin finished guitars sound better than the heavy thick lacquer finished ones. So I will stay away from those.

 

Before I settle on the WD18SW, who else makes solid mahogany acoustics??

 

I'll probably be hitting Guitar Center tomorrow and continue the search.

[karlw]

I'm also a big fan of the mohogany acoustic guitars. Many years ago I played a Martin 00-18 from the 1940s, and although it was a bit of a mess in many respects, the tone was just amazing for such a small guitar. Today I own a Martin D15 and find that for its price range, not much compares. I am a big fan of Taylor guitars, also, but don't currently own one.

 

-Karl

[mj3]

 

Originally posted by jadedlikeme Also found that the satin finished guitars sound better than the heavy thick lacquer finished ones. So I will stay away from those.

 

 

Yup! That's the first thing I noticed when I went shopping for an acoustic for my financ

[slugball]

I have a Martin 12-string (1967 -- D12-20) -- mahogany back and sides -- a love it. Very warm and expressive sound to my ears.

[mahoganite]

I have a D-15S and love it. 12Fret slothead dread, beautiful tone. Definately worth a try.

 

Al

[je55e]

I'm gonna buy a yamaha cpx8m soon, also made of mahogany with a cedar top. I played it in the store a few weeks ago.

[EvilTwin]

Check out the Martin 15-Series. I've come close to buying a 000-15 on a few occasions. Small-bodied, all-mahogany guitars are amazing, imo.

[dboy420]

If you can afford the Martin I would get it, The Washburn is nice but not in the same league as the Martin. I bought I wd18 online and immediatly returned it, the quality of the martin os alot better. You can probably find a good one on ebay for around 450-

[opencee]

I have seen, and heard, those Washburn's in a Sam Ash store. They were the most unique and interesting sounding guitars in the cheaper guitar room. I think they are a great value.

 

I have an all-mahogany Martin 000-15. It gets 99% of the playing time in a 5 guitar house. The sound is soooo sweet. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Everybody that hears it loves it.

 

If you really enjoy that all-mahogany sound, as many of us do, you are in luck. Mahogany topped guitars tend to be quite a bit cheaper than their spruce topped counterparts. Talk about win-win!!!!

 

I bought mine without regard to price or brand. I am at a point in my life that I have the means to buy some of the things I want. I shopped for a guitar that would really move me. I never thought that it would only cost $550 (with HSC) to be that moved. (They are now a little more expensive than when I bought.)

 

Look into the Martin 15 & 17 series. They are just great. Sizes are 00, 000, D, and Jumbo. There are even some 12-fretters, and 12-strings in there. Check the reviews on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum (UMGF) or the Harmony Central Guitar Database. I think Larivee has an all mahogany parlor guitar.

 

You could also buy that Washburn and have one of the coolest sounding guitars on the block. (I once suggsted this to someone on the UMGF and everyone there started squawking. Some of them have brand issues.)

 

The 00-15, the D-15, and the 000-15, like mine, will cost you about double the Washburn price. Try them all. You be the judge.

 

By the way, mahogany topped guitars have a very interesting history. Do some Google. Have fun. Let us know what you decide.

[SongMan]

Larrivee L-05, the best $ per $ purchase out of 15+ guitars this year. Tone of MAHOGHANY is truly putting simile on my face everytime I pick itup

[opencee]

jadedlikeme,

 

Many of the replies to this topic include guitars that are mahogany sides and backs, but NOT TOPS. The Washburn you played has all-mahogany construction. Don't be confused. It is the mahogany TOP that creates the unique sound that has caught your attention, not just the sides and back.

[thunderbird301]

How`s the bass and volume ?, on that WD18SW ?

[sayheyjeff]

I have now been the very pleased owner of a Larrivee L05MT for a couple of months. Found it used (but perfect - would have thought it was new) for the same price as a D15 and liked it better. Like the martin plenty, but I prefer the sound of the Larrivee and the gloss finish over the satin.

 

jeff

[sayheyjeff]

forgot to mention that there is a beautiful Larrivee D05MT for sale for a very low price at the larrivee forum. it is being sold by a regular forum contributer and there are good pictures. worth a look.

 

jeff

[geek_usa]

the Taylor Baby Mahogany is a sweet lil axe too.

 

 

maybe i'll get one as a travel guitar sometime.

[bek]

Guild used to make the D25 in all-mahogany. If you could find one, you'll be amazed. My '74 is a mosnter. I think mahogany makes a GREAT top wood -- loud, rich and fat.

[mahoganite]

There's a neat mp3 comparison test between 3 different Martin Slothead Dreads over on the UMGF. The thread is called, "Slothead Comparison Test", back on page 10, at the D-28 Lounge. The test is between two high end guitars, and the all Mahogany reasonably priced D-15S. The other guitars are the D-18VMS, and a Custom Shop D-42S.

Some very nice pickin, great sounding guitars, interesting results.

Take a look...

 

Al

[Fstpicker]

 

Originally posted by thunderbird301 How`s the bass and volume ?, on that WD18SW ?

 

 

I have a very nice Washburn WD-18SW that I bought last September. This guitar does have a unique tone and has opened up some already. The bass isn't as deep or vibrating in your chest like a Martin D-15, but it is deep and balanced without boominess. The volume perhaps isn't quite as much as a spruce-topped mahogany guitar usually is, although that increases more and more as the guitar opens up also. Mine has a very nice "piano-like" tone to it, and has a tonal richness to it that is great. I've added a bone saddle and brass bridge pins.

 

If you can't afford a Martin D-15, then I'd say go for a WD-18SW instead. I did and I don't regret it a bit. For a unique guitar, you can't go wrong IMO.

 

Jeff

[riotshield]

I have an 000-15 and I really like the mahogany top. Sounds more 'earthy' to me than spruce. If I ever have the money, I think my next acoustic might be a J15-12 (jumbo 12-string).

[bigmo66]

I had an old Yairi all mahogany guitar that I wish I had NEVER traded off. I now have a custom Tacoma all mahogany that sounds so sweet I'll never part with it!

 

 

[karlw]

Gorgeous!

 

-Karl

[solitaire]

Originally posted by bigmo66 I had an old Yairi all mahogany guitar that I wish I had NEVER traded off. I now have a custom Tacoma all mahogany that sounds so sweet I'll never part with it!

 

Nicely structured tonewood. Funny - where as the Martin is more brownish in colour, the Tacoma is lurid orange. There must be an ample variety of Mahogany species and differently structured such. Tonality would vary depending on species.

Sapele is supposed to be a bit harder than actual mahogany. I've even read somewhere that Koa is considered a sub-species to mahogany - true or false?

[bigmo66]

 

Originally posted by solitaire Nicely structured tonewood. Funny - where as the Martin is more brownish in colour, the Tacoma is lurid orange. There must be an ample variety of Mahogany species and differently structured such. Tonality would vary depending on species. Sapele is supposed to be a bit harder than actual mahogany. I've even read somewhere that Koa is considered a sub-species to mahogany - true or false?

 

 

Martin dyes their Mahogany for that look. I'd certainly enjoy owning one, but I don't necessarily care for the dark stain. The gloss finish on my Tacoma really brought out the natural hues of the ribboned mahogany.

[UGB]

I like the WD18SW. I'm not sure, but I'd guess it's the least expensive all solid wood guitar on the market. The guitar does have a good tone and resonates well. I don't find it as mushy as some other all mahogany guitars I've played, but then those were probably laminate bodies too. I had always been a spruce/rosewood kinda guy over spruce/mahogany until I played a coupld of Blueridges, the BR-43 (mahogany lam body) and the BR-63 (rosewood lam body) side by side. While the BR-63 is louder, more articulate, punchier, and accents the treble more, I find the overall tone of the BR-43 more pleasing to my ear. It's very balanced. The BR-43 has a slightly smaller neck profile I think; I've not measured it, but it feels smaller to me, which I like. The body is smaller on the BR-43 and that's a major plus for me. The tones are different, the guitars are different. Both are nice, especially for the money. The prices on the WD18SW are unbeatable. Washburn is supposed to come out w/a 3/4 version of that guitar which, I'm guessing, will compete w/the Baby Taylor and the Little Martin. They should be out after NAMM next month I bet. I'm curious to see how they price it.

[jerry_picker]

 

Originally posted by solitaire I've even read somewhere that Koa is considered a sub-species to mahogany - true or false?

 

 

False.

True koa is one particular species of Acacia, Acacia koa.

http://www.ukuleles.com/BuildingHowTo/koawood.html

 

Mahogany is a generic term for dozens of different species across a handful of genuses from across the globe.

Here is a partial list:

http://www.toolcenter.com/wood/cnames_m.html