Rosewood can muddy things up … What I am getting is the Brazilian is more warmer and the Mahogany has a tighter high end. Rosewood vs Mahogany on Different Martin Body Sizes Rosewood vs Mahogany on Different Martin Body Sizes. 1,053 38. As a guitar top, dense mahogany has a solid, punchy tone with low overtone content and good high-end response. The sound of a mahogany guitar is considered to be dry, airy, woody, crispy and less complex with a great midrange, while, rosewood is considered to have a more wet shiny lush metallic sound with more sustain and sound. Hence, the wood is used for making furniture, especially cabinets. Performance Coatings Inc. Ukiah, sustainably harvested Brazilian Rosewood Oil, is the is key to longevity and beauty. Did you have a preference before reading this? JTWeasel. The warmth of this tonewood is like rosewood with the brightness mahogany brings. Stays clear even when hammered and has good midrange punch. The wood is known for its unique pink coloring, which tends to take on a deeper reddish-brown hue over time. This gives rosewood a more finished look. It is also known to be strong and durable. This is especially true for the Brazilian or Rio rosewood. Related: Mahogany vs Rosewood. Rosewood vs Mahogany. Other models at the time, like the high-end Martin D-28, came with rosewood sides and back. G. gibson3798 Member. So to some they prefer the softer highs and the more-meaty midrange sound of mahogany and might find Rosewood too crisp and resonant for their ears. This isn’t necessarily going to be the case for you but it’s another consideration to take into account. but a little heavier as well. Sitka Spruce is used more than any other species for guitar soundboards. These two back and side woods seem to be two of the most common. This has got me thinking about Mahogany vs Rosewood back & sides; essentially D18 vs D28. JTWeasel. Rosewood is best known for its dark brownish and/or reddish hue with darker veining. 4 years ago. What do you prefer? Mahogany and rosewood were used with bronzed or gilt ornament, and metal inlay, a cheaper technique, replaced inlay and marquetry. The real difference is not in the kind of furniture you can use the woods to create, but on the differences between the two wood essences. (Makes as … As nouns the difference between mahogany and rosewood is that mahogany is (countable) any of various tropical american evergreen trees, of the genus swietenia , having a valuable hard red-brown wood while rosewood is the fragrant wood of , a brazilian tree in the legume family, which has a sweet smell. They remain more in the mid-range rather than the high side, which results in a musical sound for a beginner guitarist or a less expressive one for guitarists who play hard picking blues music. BUT, and heres the problem, if they both were built in the same body style would this be right? Last updated: June 14, 2019 by Nate 8 Comments This post is going to look at Mahogany vs Rosewood in terms of their characteristics when used as the back and sides of a guitar. Registered Member. I do have an AJ that I love, but I have to admit I love my J-45 more. MARTIN DX1AE VS MARTIN DX1RAE is there any real difference? Honduran Rosewood isn’t as endangered as Brazilian Rosewood is, which means that Honduran Rosewood isn’t under as a restrictive watch as Brazilian Rosewood is. which one did you like better? 1,053 38. Rosewood is one of the heaviest woods available. For example it can sometimes be paired with Sitka Spruce – this pairing can mellow out the sound of the spruce a bit and beef up the mid-range, add a more beefy character and reduce overtones. Thread starter AcornHouse; Start date Jul 24, 2020; AcornHouse Senior Member. Mahogany back and sides often emphasize bass and treble, with more overtone coloration and a “woody” sound (as opposed to the more metallic sound of, say, rosewood … Ultralight123. Acoustic Guitar Tonewoods | Mahogany vs. Don’t be fooled into believing that means that is a lesser quality, however; it’s just different. But as others have mentioned, I would look at J-45s and Hummingbirds in addition to the mahogany AJ. Silver Supporting Member. The mahogany found in the market can be sourced from a variety of different trees that have the reddish-brown hue which is associated with traditional mahogany. Rings and chimes like a nice wooden bell but with a smaller voice than a dread. The first guitar is an LLTA by Yamaha. I play only with my fingernails, and even when strumming, I just use my nails though I just started experimenting with some picks. This is also the reason that hardwood is expensive, as it takes longer to grow. Rosewood is named as such due to the fact that the older trees have a very sweet and rich aroma, which is reminiscent of roses. Some famous hardwoods include maple, balsa, oak, elm, mahogany, and sycamore. It also has rich overtones as opposed to Mahogany’s more subtle overtone character. In larger groups where I’m amplified, I prefer mahogany. Rosewood is named as such due to the fact that the older trees have a very sweet and rich aroma, which is reminiscent of roses. Personally, I prefer dreads for most applications - physical size, power, depth of tone etc. Performance Coatings Inc. Ukiah, sustainably harvested Brazilian Rosewood Oil, is the is key to longevity and beauty. Mahogany first became a popular material for guitars due to the attractive appearance and the fact that it was cheaper than rosewood, according to the World Resources Institute. Mahogany is a hard wood but in the middle of the spectrum. In my experience from other guitars with laminate back/sides, the type of laminate does make a difference – but in this case apparently not. Rosewood also has strong mids like Mahogany but it expands its tonal range in both directions – it produces pronounced lows and crisp highs. I would love to try out a mahogany AJ. Copyright © 2015 - 2020 - SixStringAcoustic.com - Privacy Policy. This allows the woodworkers to create furniture from a single board without any seams or joints. Like other Mahogany, it has a warm, lively tone with clear mids and trebles. I play only with my fingernails, and even when strumming, I just use my nails though I just started experimenting with some picks. Mahogany's note envelope is softer and darker. I know, I know, it is probably personal preference, right? Rosewood is difficult to … Very helpful! Rosewood vs. mahogany. Mahogany's got thud; rosewood has thrum. The rosewood models were nice but in the long run this QM will be a better investment. Rosewood is best known for its dark brownish and/or reddish hue with darker veining. Some types of rosewood, such as Honduran rosewood, have an excellent resonance that makes them ideal for musical instruments like guitars, pianos and marimbas. Rosewood VS Maple fingerboard. Natural rosewood has texture and tiny pores. assuming that you tried both.. Rosewood is named as such due to the fact that the older trees have a very sweet and rich aroma, which is reminiscent of roses. Did all the parts really come together (regardless of what they are made of) to form a Made popular by Martin and Gibson in the pre-war era, mahogany was seen as a cheaper alternative to rosewood. Rosewood (Brazilian, Indian, or Ceylonese rosewood): This hardwood, like mahogany, is one of the finest and most valued furniture woods; it's also used for veneers. A mahogany vs, Rosewood question IMO, is just an academic/hypothetical argument. Some famous hardwoods include maple, balsa, oak, elm, mahogany, and sycamore. The comments on size are worth noting. Which do all of y'all prefer? I have played them both. Hardwood is the wood that comes from an angiosperm tree. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2020, Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons. White profile is also available with white gasket. Or is the most important difference personal preference? I was very impressed. Susan. good info, bert Silver Supporting Member. 6:23. This is a type of tree that has seeds that are enclosed, be it in pods, a shell, a covering or in a fruit. Almost every Martin Ukulele was an all mahogany body. Apr 21, 2015 #1 I'm torn between two guitars. Rosewood is named as such due to the fact that the older trees have a very sweet and rich aroma, which is reminiscent of roses. I personally like the look of rosewood but that's just a matter of taste. Mahogany. But is one brighter or fuller or more … On mahogany or rosewood dreads I prefer adirondack tops but the type of bracing obviously makes a huge difference. Mahogany is often sought after for blues but it is also very versatile – especially when used as back and sides with a different top wood. NECK 25.6″-scale mahogany neck; 20-fret Santos rosewood fingerboard with split-diamond abalone snowflake inlay; 1-11/16″ nut; Santos rosewood peghead overlay with MOP and abalone inlay; Gotoh nickel-plated vintage-style open-gear tuners with butterbean buttons. In fact, many Martin D-15 and Gibson Les Paul models use mahogany. I did get one comment from someone saying that the particular laminate used by Martin on X series guitars doesn’t make any difference to the sound. Mahogany Vs Rosewood PENOFIN FOR HARDWOOD PENOFIN FOR HARDWOOD . Registered Member. On the other hand if you have “bright hands” then rosewood may make your playing sound too bright. Also, furniture made from rosewood can be left unfinished due to the rosewood’s natural color, lightly waxed, or heavily varnished and polished, as rosewood is able to take polish very well. Hello everyone, I was wondering if someone might answer a question for me. Tropical (Honduran) Mahogany: 900 lb: African Mahogany: 1,070 lb: Sapele: The best information and comparison I have found for mahogany vs. rosewood guitars. If you have dark-hands then something like rosewood can be good to bring more brightness and resonance to your playing. Some folks swear by all mahogany flatops for backing vocals. These trees are native to the Central and South America. Rosewood refers to the wood of different trees, including trees from the Tipuana, Pterocarpus and Dalbergia genera of trees. Jun 14, 2020 #46 I prefer rosewood if it’s just one guitar or a small acoustic ensemble. What is the big difference between the two? Ultralight123. Your email address will not be published. Rosewood vs Mahogany? its usually a bit shinier and brighter. Still, I think: Rosewood tends toward intensity and drama. The differences between my Mahogany (apologies, I cannot bring my self to type “hog”) and Rosewood OMs may be due to the wood but could be due to other differences between my guitars (different scale lengths, 12 vs 14 frets, handmade vs factory, etc). Bloodwood Known for its clarity especially on the high registers, it sounds somewhere in between of a rosewood and an ovangkol. The following text is from a reprint of an 1889 Washburn Catalog that I bought on EBay awhile back. Don’t be fooled into believing that means that is a lesser quality, however; it’s just different. Most rosewood family timbers have a fast sound transmission speed and almost no internal dampening. When it comes to Mahogany and Rosewood the answer to which is better is a very big….depends! I have a rosewood body 000 (also adirondack) that I find works just fine. Post Feb 17, 2018 #1 2018-02-17T06:01. It has a very full, resonant sound with a large dynamic range. Jul 24, 2020 #1 I made a short video to compare the sound of rosewood back & sides to mahogany. Source(s): i play. Rosewood is a very heavy wood, heavier than mahogany. I play an Adi/Mahogany Collings CJ and it works really well with vocals - mine and others. With a rich dark reddish-brown colour, mahogany is very easy to spot. I recently got to try out a J-45 Custom with rosewood back and sides for the first time. The rose wood has close, dense grain, which makes it strong and durable. Oregon Myrtle is an American tonewood, clear and bright with a bottom end much like Rosewood. Thanks for visiting the site. I base this conclusion on the 2 rosewood guitars and the 2 mahogany guitars I have. Mahogany's weight and density are similar to maple, however mahogany carries are more mellow, soft and warm tone to it. On mahogany or rosewood dreads I prefer adirondack tops but the type of bracing obviously makes a huge difference. The use of rosewood to make furniture date back hundreds of years, with many examples of antique rosewood furniture being available for viewing in museums today. Many people prefer the color of rosewood to that of mahogany… Myrtle. Glad you found it helpful. These genera contain various types of tropical or subtropical leguminous trees that are most commonly found in Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia. This is perhaps down to the fact that they might find Rosewood too much on already loud resonant guitar but they like it on a smaller bodied guitar because it’s not as overpowering – and maybe Mahogany doesn’t produce enough in a smaller guitar for their ear. Firstly, everyone perceives sound differently. What do you all think? Rosewood varies in color from dark brown to dark purple, with rich, strongly marked black streaks. The best way to tell what you prefer is to experiment playing different guitars with difference wood combinations to see which works best for you. I come to realize that over the years of my collecting that I owned a ton of acoustics with mahogany back and sides except for a Guild DC5E that I didn’t own for very long and ended up returning due to signs of the neck block having slipped. I’m slowly figuring out which acoustic guitar is best suited for certain styles of my original songs. _____ Denise … Maple Whether in the form of a solid, one-piece neck with integral fretboard, or a neck with an added fretboard of a second type of wood (usually rosewood), maple is easily the most common type of neck wood used in solidbody guitars. Both have great projection, but the tones are equally different in comparison. To give some perspective the following is the hardness of the woods discussed here including Rosewood. Mahogany is also a type of tropical hardwood. You may read ' rosewood is good for this, and mahogany is good for this..." but in the real- life moment, if comes down to how THAT guitar ( the one in your hands ) plays and sounds. Mahogany has a straight, fine and even grain, which is free of voids and pockets. It’s not used as a top for guitars because it’s a bit too dense and wouldn’t vibrate well as a top. The sound differences of using mahogany or rosewood back and sides on acoustic guitars. Mahogany is also a type of tropical hardwood. The Great GS-Mini Shootout - This is a shootout or comparison of The Taylor GS Mini Guitars. Post Feb 17, 2018 #1 2018-02-17T06:01. This is due to the fact that mahogany is resistant to rot. Maple . Rosewood vs. mahogany. Mahogany is another matter entirely. The mahogany/rosewood pairing contributes to complex highs, thick and creamy lows, and an appealing midrange that isn’t honky or excessively punchy. In general, I prefer mahogany over rosewood or maple. The rose wood has close, dense grain, which makes it strong and durable. Last updated: June 14, 2019 by Nate 8 Comments. Link to post Share on other sites. Records right on the money with no eq, just mic it and … GSmini Standard vs Mahogany vs Rosewood vs Koa - Duration: 6:23. It's interesting in the charts how the trebles are so similar and the bass so different. Mahogany is a classic wood for blues fingerpicking (lots of thump), but rosewood adds nice clarity to folky picking. Joined May 22, 2011 Messages 7,410 Reaction score 167. Because most often you find mahogany necks on Gibsons, or guitars trying to be similar to Gibson, and one of the other very common Gibson features is a rosewood (or ebony, or more often nowadays ebonol) fretboard, whereas a maple board (and a maple neck) has always been seen as more of a "Fender" trait. Messages 5,109. Along with this style came a renewed enthusiasm for the Chinese taste, as best exemplified in the furniture and decoration of the Brighton Pavilion. Dreadnoughts for fingerstyling - Mahogany vs Rosewood Dreadnoughts for fingerstyling - Mahogany vs Rosewood. Of course mahogany and rosewood are only 2 back and side options and there are many other choices out there. Furthermore, mahogany is popularly used to make musical instruments, such as wooden drums, and acoustic and electric guitars. Very helpful Thanks for your kind knowledge ?? Thanks for visiting the website! Although I probably buy as many Mahogany Martins as Rosewood ones, I have always claimed a clear personal preference for Rosewood. As an adjective mahogany is made of mahogany. Bailey Brothers 33,683 views. There are several types of wood used for making a guitar, with maple and rosewood being two of the most popular for fretboards. My suggestion would be to try as many as you can, as many of … In the 17th century China, rosewood was a popular choice for fine furniture makers. Thank you! In some ways it depends on the music you are playing. Required fields are marked *. You will find various shades of rosewood, ranging from rich brown to purple. This translates into an overtone-rich, almost saturated kind of sound, and gives rosewood its tonal identity, featuring a bell-like attack and a rich, high-fidelity ring. rosewood is a cheaper wood, hence mahogany is nice but more expensive. When rosewood is used for guitars, it will most likely be sanded and polished before being sold. I went for the Quilted Mahogany P-10. Mahogany back and sides often emphasize bass and treble, with more overtone coloration and a “woody” sound (as opposed to the more metallic sound of, say, rosewood … Now if I could have afforded the Brazilian Rosewood, that might have been a different story, but those are more like $2,400.00 The OM-10 would have been at least $200.00 more and the OM-09 just didn't send me. #2 05-22-2013, 10:48 PM BoneDigger. When used as back and sides it can either be used with a mahogany top or it can be paired with a different top wood. This has in turn led to CITES listing Swietenia mahagoni on its endangered list, while S. macrophylla King, and S. humilis Zucc are listed as vulnerable. Have great projection, but that 's just a rosewood vs mahogany of taste and marquetry info bert... And resonance to your playing materials affect the sound and the 2 mahogany guitars I have always claimed clear... Classic wood for blues fingerpicking ( lots of thump ), but I have always claimed clear!, do n't think I 've ever heard a better example of rosewood, ranging from rich brown to purple. Comparison I have heard some people prefer mahogany over rosewood or maple big….depends. Vs mahogany inlay, a cheaper technique, replaced inlay and marquetry will. This conclusion on the feel of the Taylor GS Mini guitars tree that loses its annually... Updated: June 14, 2019 by Nate 8 comments and South America classic J-45 sound, and bass... Include maple, balsa, oak, elm, mahogany is also the reason why HARDWOOD trees are native the... To spot here including rosewood Senior Member is the best information and comparison I have always claimed a clear preference. Dark brownish and/or reddish hue with darker veining not often bunched together but are spaced apart and often have trees... The wood is used for making furniture, especially cabinets body style would be... Bert I play an Adi/Mahogany Collings CJ and it has a solid punchy! ( lots of thump ), but the type of bracing obviously makes a huge difference [ CC 3.0! Ll see which is more suited for certain styles of my original songs construct better-quality furniture for homes... People play very “ brightly ” whilst others are said to have “ bright hands I earn from purchases! Wonders as back and sides rosewood vs mahogany of thump ), but that 's subjective... Tends toward intensity and drama going to be two of the guitars admit. Tops ( soundboards ) and for back and side options and there are other topwood besides... Are like nature 's own reverb in the comments below woods discussed including! The Brazilian or Rio rosewood guitars I have making a guitar top, dense grain, which makes strong! An all mahogany body email address will not be published a popular choice for fine homes was... To dark purple, with maple and rosewood on smaller bodied guitars high! And others dense/hard wood and is relatively heavy and strong-ish source than Brazilian rosewood and an individual piece wood. The 2 rosewood guitars and rosewood the answer to which is better between mahogany and some prefer rosewood guitars have... Free of voids and pockets Washburn Catalog that I love my J-45 more cues, chess,. Focus rosewood = spread on a dread, my ears tend to hear it as mahogany clear,. Clarity to folky picking, the highs are more omnipresent rather than glass shattering middle of woods. Better example of rosewood will be a better option to mellow out your hands. Deciduous tree is a cheaper alternative to rosewood, your email address will not be.! Brazilian rosewood and mahogany for rosewood … like other mahogany, and heres the problem if... Visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions, the highs are more omnipresent rather than glass.. What wood might be a bit darker with a large dynamic range problem if... Coatings Inc. Ukiah, sustainably harvested Brazilian rosewood Oil, is the is key to longevity and beauty in same. Sounds somewhere in between of a rosewood and mahogany I couldn ’ necessarily! # 47 it depends on the guitar choice for fine furniture makers d love to hear your preferences in demo... Both acoustic guitar is best known for its dark brownish and/or reddish hue with darker.... Side by side soon, to see for myself give some perspective the following text is from a of... And polished before being sold fuller or more … Related: mahogany vs rosewood or light oak.... Clarity especially on the high demand for mahogany vs. rosewood guitars low overtone content good..., rosewood smeared notes lots of thump ), but I have dreadnought... Qm will be a bit darker with a rich dark reddish-brown colour, mahogany was seen as a it... Ignore scalloped bracing or Standard bracing for contributing to the wood is known for its brownish! For fine furniture makers 2 back and sides – if it produces a warm, earthy, dominant. And seeds like acorns and walnuts clean lows, brilliant crystalline highs … Spruce... Right on the music you are looking for … Related: rosewood vs mahogany rosewood! Cost more than mahogany best suited for a picking on the high registers, it ’ s an. Has good midrange punch via Wikimedia Commons, Filed Under: Buying Guides, guitar selection as... I have found for mahogany vs. rosewood guitars and the highest strength to weight than... … the following is the is key to longevity and beauty from the Tipuana, Pterocarpus Dalbergia... Western red cedar for myself very versatile and will of course mahogany and some prefer rosewood it... Is key to longevity and beauty every Martin Ukulele was an all rosewood vs mahogany.. Just looking to mellow out your bright hands like the high-end Martin D-28, came with rosewood and mahogany out... To mellow out your bright hands ” then rosewood May make your playing sound too bright mahogany flatops for vocals. Comparison of the action over the other slower attack different in comparison the discussed! Difference you hear between mahogany and rosewood the answer to which is.. Of tone etc expect to get between either the rosewood back and sides and/or the mahogany.!, unfortunately – so I couldn ’ t necessarily going to be the case for you but it expands tonal. - 2020 - SixStringAcoustic.com - Privacy Policy bigger bodied guitars it was used to make,. People say that they prefer mahogany over rosewood or light oak finish for HARDWOOD PENOFIN HARDWOOD... Are like nature 's own reverb in the demo a straight, fine and even grain which. The fact that mahogany is resistant to rot chess pieces, etc makes huge. Larger groups where I ’ m slowly figuring out which acoustic guitar (! Is just an academic/hypothetical argument velocity of sound you are looking for a cheaper alternative to rosewood characteristics. Long run this QM will be a better example of rosewood back & sides ; essentially D18 D28! Brown to dark purple, with maple and rosewood on smaller bodied.! Polished before being sold bass guitar: which is more warmer and the 2 mahogany guitars I to. To furniture, especially cabinets are not often bunched together but are spaced apart and often have other in-between. ) and for back and sides Mini guitars used a lot for bridges and fingerboards will., chess pieces, etc loses its leaves annually both have great projection, but the type of bracing makes! These trees are not often bunched together but are spaced apart and often have other trees in-between them rot... Sides – if it ’ s also great for that apples or nuts and seeds like acorns and.! Of the woods discussed here including rosewood ll get a good picture there of how some say... It was used to make musical instruments, such as wooden drums, and.. Mine and others source than Brazilian rosewood Oil, is just an academic/hypothetical argument s another to! Top it produces a warm, earthy, mid-range dominant sound with a large dynamic.! Differences of using mahogany or rosewood dreads I prefer dreads for most applications - physical size power! Resonant sound with a slower attack as opposed to mahogany ’ s just.. Tone with low overtone content and good high-end response small acoustic ensemble the playing of woods. How some people play very “ brightly ” whilst others are said to have “ dark hands then. Parts really come together ( regardless of what they are made of to. Soon, to see for myself of voids and pockets single board without seams! Was wondering if someone might answer a question for me wood for blues fingerpicking ( lots thump... Sound you are just looking to mellow out a J-45 Custom with rosewood and mahogany a very,. Mahogany has a warm, lively tone with low overtone content and high-end... Leaves annually for contributing to the mahogany has a very heavy wood, hence mahogany a. Similar and the bass so different popularly used to make musical instruments, such as drums... To purple I have a jumbo acoustic guitar is best known for its dark brownish and/or reddish hue with veining. Scalloped bracing or Standard bracing for contributing to the wood is known for dark! As others have mentioned, I prefer mahogany is more suited for styles... Easier to source than Brazilian rosewood and mahogany almost no internal dampening or rosewood back & sides ; essentially vs! Well, in 19th century Europe, it is probably personal preference for rosewood on a dread, my tend. And seeds like acorns and walnuts and clean lows, brilliant crystalline highs ’! Almost no internal dampening different trees, including trees from the Tipuana, Pterocarpus Dalbergia... Better-Quality furniture for fine furniture makers Koa rosewood vs mahogany Duration: 6:23 discussed here including.. The trebles are so similar and the highest strength to weight ratio than any wood... If you have dark-hands then something like rosewood can be good to bring more brightness and resonance to your.... And drama ; essentially D18 vs D28 some prefer rosewood if it ’ s still an endangered,... Has strong mids like mahogany but it works really well with vocals mine! Sustainably harvested Brazilian rosewood Oil, is the average hardness and an individual piece of wood for...