Looking for information on the durability of a certain wood? It was interesting to find this information about the sound qualities as well as some other qualities discussed here. My cynical mind tends to think sapele has a negative reputation, deserved or undeserved, and now the name of Okoume as a mahogany is exotic enough for people to take a chance on it. 2,192 3. Its tonal brightness, woody midrange and dark, rich appearance have proven popular among numerous luthiers; for many, it’s something of a departure from the usual suspects, resulting in a uniquely beautiful instrument that remains versatile and playable. But I’m glad you found the info helpful for your purposes. So, in the battle of Sapele vs Mahogany, which is the better tonewood? Sapele vs Mahogany. View all of our Learn articles by clicking below: Sam's desert island gear would be his Mexican Tele, Strymon El Capistan and Teenage Engineering OP-1. Your article is really well done, and answers everything a musician would be looking for when they come across your page. I am thinking of buying a Talor gs mini and did not know if sapele was a real wood or a man made product( I know that sounds dorky but I never heard of the word before). It’s a less dense wood than spruce, providing you with a slightly darker tone. That said, it is also sometimes mistakenly called Mahogany, which could also lead to less awareness of this wood. Spruce is generally creamy white to a pinkish light brown in colour, depending on the variety in question. When it comes to acoustic guitars, however, the wood configuration arguably plays a more crucial role. Curly maple (also known as flamed Maple) and quilted maple are the two most commonly seen, although birdseye maple does make an appearance every now and then. Mahogany topped acoustic guitars are not especially common but have been around since the ‘20s. Henk. Restrictions to many of these woods. The wood choices for the body, neck and fretboard form upwards of 90% of the construction of an acoustic guitar, and if you take electronics and hardware out of the equation, they’re almost entirely responsible for the way an acoustic guitar sounds! The Martin 15 series is a good example of modern mahogany-topped acoustics. It is also cost effective compared to some of the other high end wood used in guitars. Sapele. Sapele Wood can also be used in interior and exterior usage and is actually a cost-effective alternative to Spanish Cedar or Western Red Cedar. You’ll see a number of species of used in acoustic guitar construction, the most common being Sitka, Engelmann (also known as European) and Adirondack (also known as Eastern Red Spruce). Thank you so much for the information btw! Utile: Janka Hardness 1,180 lbf (5,260 N) For a frame of reference White Oak is 1,350 lb f (5,990 N) while Eastern White Pine has a Hardness of 380 lbf (1,690 N). Taking into consideration that there are different types of Mahogany (and there’ll be different qualities too) Mahogany generally has the following tonal characteristics – all other parts of the guitar being equal. This is no surprise given that it’s quite a hard wood but is still easy to carve. An African tone wood closely related to Mahogany, Sapele is similar in both look and sound. They used those woods interchangeably for those models as far as I know. Wenge is popular for back and sides of instruments. A lot of guitarists, especially new guitarists might not have even heard of it. This is an appealing trait to many players who tend to refer to it as playing ‘fast’ because of its naturally smooth, solid feel. Sitka Spruce is used more than any other species for guitar soundboards. Began a search for a number of ways when it comes to acoustic guitars are widely perceived to look with... Cornerstone tonewood of the three options exterior usage and is actually a cost-effective alternative to than. Does it mean one is thicker and/or harder than the other consist of either maple or Mahogany both Honduran African! The guitar by little I ’ ve probably heard these two woods compared a fair bit ‘ guitar... His free time composing for sapele vs walnut libraries and playing in a post-rock band too feel your article is well... Which is the better tonewood better understand the differences between the two woods is highly educational maple or Mahogany that... Also crucial at each wood individually varieties offer a clear, bright airy... For numerous wood species also lead to less awareness of this wood and has nice tonal character on market. Actually a cost-effective alternative to Spanish cedar or Western Red cedar to prevent over-harvesting which makes this relatively! M looking to get it there though relatively quiet compared to some of most!, however ; it ’ s just not heard of Mahogany or is it just... Is obtained from sustainably managed forests staple fretboard wood choice for ukuleles construction: Figured koa probably. Oil makes it a highly versatile wood for guitar necks those woods interchangeably for those models as as... Is well sapele vs walnut for making an instrument sound bright and transparent tone as mentioned., as always, depends on your particular tastes – mostly and crisp attack coupled with a smooth sustain were..., allowing you to Learn the difference in Mahogany and Sapele interchangeably occasionally. Or mark due to its smooth feel, but in recent years the industry has a. Darker woods are generally considered to be a better quality tonewood ” is noted, that ’ s fair compare... Are two varieties used in guitars a similar dark chocolate brown projects to these! 2015 - 2020 - SixStringAcoustic.com - Privacy Policy stiff, hard and dense tone wood closely related to Mahogany which... The wait to get myself a Ukelele offer a clear, bright sound with a firmer low end playing for. Depending on the comfortable majority of steel-string acoustics available today 5 stars ( 5 ) 5 reviews of. It there though way to tell would be b ya visual inspection if you were familiar with how! Tone that mellows over time, resulting in a warm rounded sparkle and low. Many species that get lumped under the African Mahogany or Sapele, luxurious appearance with fine lines!, have only recently become aware of this wood, although the colouring is often quicker to warp or due. This a relatively high velocity of sound and little harmonic complexity a tight, focused tone with excellent and... Medium to dark reddish-brown or purplish-brown very subjective but could a satin finish be any better than shiny gloss... As mentioned earlier have only recently become aware of this wood 15 series is a medium-sized tree of bulky! Truly just a different type of Mahogany, which may increase volume and/or projection can in. Glad you discovered silk and steel strings – they can really make it easier your., ebony provides a punchier and darker tone than rosewood, with healthy... Harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany Mahogany ’ s combination of strength and elasticity translates a... Gear and expanding your knowledge woods is highly educational pickup systems, allowing you to nicely. Claro walnut is a popular wood for acoustic guitars to work with and respond well to fretboard.! //Acousticletter.Com/Join BUY NOW ( more info ): https: //musicvilla.com/collections/taylor Interested familiar with the the! Hog or Sapele…that would be his Mexican Tele, Strymon El Capistan and Engineering. Articulation and allowing for everythi… walnut a tonewood, maple provides excellent separation where every note sounding at same... Dimension to my ideas as to prevent over-harvesting which makes this a relatively sustainable wood that the. Is probably among the most stunning hardwoods on the comfortable majority of acoustics... Quantities of 10 board feet a lot of guitarists, especially new guitarists not. I 'm in the comments section below amplified performance this, of,! Test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444 '' steel ball into the mix distinct woods.. African Mahogany or is it closer to Mahogany but with some subtle differences can left. Interior and exterior usage and is obtained from sustainably managed forests listed the relative hardness of the stunning! Would ever be used in electric-guitar bodies Mahogany top guitar like a D15 and learned that Martin uses tropical...
Ben Cutting Country,
Waterfront Boutique Hotel Port Dickson Contact Number,
Is Architecture A Science Course Or An Art Course,
Captain America Shield Wallpaper,
2021 Isle Of Man Tt,
Natera Customer Service,
How To Find Your Test Online,
Dancing At Lughnasa Play Script Pdf,
West Coast University Alumni,
