South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
- Thread starter Willis
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kherman
New member
Re: South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
I thought this place was helpful.
http://www.colonialtonewoods.com
Scroll to the bottom. All the woods are listed there.
Click on one and it brings up a definition.
I thought this place was helpful.
http://www.colonialtonewoods.com
Scroll to the bottom. All the woods are listed there.
Click on one and it brings up a definition.
Last edited:
theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
Do you have a source that proves that? I got into a debate with someone once because I thought that Gibson used African mahogany in their normal line guitars. If you knew of a website showing that it's true, I'd appreciate getting its address.
PRG said:
Do you have a source that proves that? I got into a debate with someone once because I thought that Gibson used African mahogany in their normal line guitars. If you knew of a website showing that it's true, I'd appreciate getting its address.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
If you look into Hamers line...you can see the diff in price limba ("korina") makes in the same guitar. A Hamer "Korina" standard is a good 6-7 bills more than one like mine...and it's doesn't even have binding or traps! They were making one piece bodies and had to stop as it was too cost prohibitive and hard to find quality up to their standards in that big of a piece. Wilcutt has a few one piece standards left, and they are gorgoeus...and BIG $.
Limba is an excellent tonewood for sure...but with the experience I've had , I would say it's a bit brighter and snappier than mahogany. Not necc a bad thing, as without a maple cap on the guitar it serves a bit of the same function tonally...but not quite the same....hard to explain...more depth..more clarity...which gives the impression of being "bright", I guess rather than actually being so.
I'd love to have a Limba/"Korina" guitar...my first real guitar was one. At the same time though, a good piece of mahogany is tough to beat, AFAIC.
If you look into Hamers line...you can see the diff in price limba ("korina") makes in the same guitar. A Hamer "Korina" standard is a good 6-7 bills more than one like mine...and it's doesn't even have binding or traps! They were making one piece bodies and had to stop as it was too cost prohibitive and hard to find quality up to their standards in that big of a piece. Wilcutt has a few one piece standards left, and they are gorgoeus...and BIG $.
Limba is an excellent tonewood for sure...but with the experience I've had , I would say it's a bit brighter and snappier than mahogany. Not necc a bad thing, as without a maple cap on the guitar it serves a bit of the same function tonally...but not quite the same....hard to explain...more depth..more clarity...which gives the impression of being "bright", I guess rather than actually being so.
I'd love to have a Limba/"Korina" guitar...my first real guitar was one. At the same time though, a good piece of mahogany is tough to beat, AFAIC.
Re: South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
Going from info on the lespaulforum and from Gibson's custom shop, although it looks like they're switching to certified wood now.
The African is cheaper, larger, and more plentiful than the Honduran, at least from what my supplier says. Although I'm sure with Gibson buying more Mahogany than anyone else out there, they know where and how to get good prices on the good stuff.
theboatcandream said:
Going from info on the lespaulforum and from Gibson's custom shop, although it looks like they're switching to certified wood now.
The African is cheaper, larger, and more plentiful than the Honduran, at least from what my supplier says. Although I'm sure with Gibson buying more Mahogany than anyone else out there, they know where and how to get good prices on the good stuff.
thephatboi
New member
Re: South American mahogany vs African Mahogany
I tried a black limba body from Warmoth once and it actually sounded like crap; too bright, with harsh overtones. Every piece of wood is different so I guess I just got a bad piece of wood but I am a BIG mahogany fan. I am an experienced guitar builder and have built hundreds of guitars....just remember every piece of wood is different and how the neck and body interacts cannot be predicted, so sometimes you just have to experiment til you find what you are looking for....
I tried a black limba body from Warmoth once and it actually sounded like crap; too bright, with harsh overtones. Every piece of wood is different so I guess I just got a bad piece of wood but I am a BIG mahogany fan. I am an experienced guitar builder and have built hundreds of guitars....just remember every piece of wood is different and how the neck and body interacts cannot be predicted, so sometimes you just have to experiment til you find what you are looking for....
