Now it appears that Gibson get their mahogany from India. What about Korean knock-off producers? You would think if they got the same wood from the same sources the knock-offs would be darn close to the real thing. I have a 93 Les Paul and a newer Agile 3100 and they sound and weigh different although both of them play equally well. The LP sounds much more lively, no surprise really (you get what you pay for). Is mahogany rated like some woods in term of quality, density, etc.? If I were to buy a body from Warmoth for instance, how do I know what I'm getting. Luthery or any art involving wood is not my thing so I'm asking out of utter ignorance. Thanks folks.
Mahogany where and why
- Thread starter Rob27
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St_Genesius
New member
Re: Mahogany where and why
Is it rated by "quality?" Yes. Does that quality have anything to do with the "liveliness" of the wood, in a musical instrument application? Nope.
Is it rated by "quality?" Yes. Does that quality have anything to do with the "liveliness" of the wood, in a musical instrument application? Nope.
DarkMatter
Unprofessional Toneologist
Re: Mahogany where and why
And mahogany is a wood that tends to have lots of variation.
And mahogany is a wood that tends to have lots of variation.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Mahogany where and why
Well you 93 Les Paul is also weight relieved (dunno about the agile) and the Agile is in thick layers of plastic where the Gibson is notro.
Apart from quality Mahogany also includes whole range of species.
Well you 93 Les Paul is also weight relieved (dunno about the agile) and the Agile is in thick layers of plastic where the Gibson is notro.
Apart from quality Mahogany also includes whole range of species.
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Mahogany where and why
Also just because two trees are taken from the same forrest does not necessitate the idea that both trees are of the same quality wood. So while yes, location does have something to do with quality (or at least rarity/scarcity like Brazilian Rosewood), it doesn't mean that all the wood from the same location is of the same ilk. The cutters/harvesters/sellers of the lumber surely know the various qualities of their woods and I'm sure their prices reflect that.
Also just because two trees are taken from the same forrest does not necessitate the idea that both trees are of the same quality wood. So while yes, location does have something to do with quality (or at least rarity/scarcity like Brazilian Rosewood), it doesn't mean that all the wood from the same location is of the same ilk. The cutters/harvesters/sellers of the lumber surely know the various qualities of their woods and I'm sure their prices reflect that.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Mahogany where and why
+1. Every piece of wood from a tree will vary (grain, density, mineral content, water content, etc). Just because it comes from a prestigious location in the world doen't mean they all have superior tonal qualities. A tree 100 yards away may be in a lower spot that has better soil, more water, more nutrients, and produce very different wood. No matter what country or region lumber comes from, it will have a lot of variation. Remember, wood isn't graded for it's potential tonal qualities, a lot of it's based on cosmetics. A beautiful piece of wood could sound worse in a guitar than a plain-looking piece.
In the 1959's Ted McCarty said that the same size piece of mahogany could weigh 5 lbs or 25 lbs due to the mineral content, which was an ongoing issue for Gibson to deal with even 60 years ago. Just think of what all those minerals in a piece of wood could do to its tonal properties.
+1. Every piece of wood from a tree will vary (grain, density, mineral content, water content, etc). Just because it comes from a prestigious location in the world doen't mean they all have superior tonal qualities. A tree 100 yards away may be in a lower spot that has better soil, more water, more nutrients, and produce very different wood. No matter what country or region lumber comes from, it will have a lot of variation. Remember, wood isn't graded for it's potential tonal qualities, a lot of it's based on cosmetics. A beautiful piece of wood could sound worse in a guitar than a plain-looking piece.
In the 1959's Ted McCarty said that the same size piece of mahogany could weigh 5 lbs or 25 lbs due to the mineral content, which was an ongoing issue for Gibson to deal with even 60 years ago. Just think of what all those minerals in a piece of wood could do to its tonal properties.
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Re: Mahogany where and why
...and then Seymour created the SH-6 and made them all equal.... just sayin....
...and then Seymour created the SH-6 and made them all equal.... just sayin....
