Thing with Spruce is that it opens up the more you play it and becomes a better guitar over time. Whereas I haven't experienced the same with mahogany or cedar. They do tend to mature over time too but not to the same extent as spruce (Sitka/Adirondack/Engelmann/Lutz).
I truly love your UA-cam videos. You have the best demonstrations and explanations. The art and engineering of guitar building is one of my favorite topics and you guys share a lot of information that makes me appreciate it even more.
Thank you to these gentlemen for this excellent video. The more Alvarez videos I see and the more I listen to Chris Meikle the more determined I am to own an Alvarez guitar.
I asked my neighbor, who was Jimmy Foster's assistant (of Foster Guitars in SE Louisiana), when told that Jimmy tapped and planed his guitar tops, what Jimmy was listening for was "not G". If it was left at G it would resonate and accentuate/amplify the most common open tones to the detriment of the other notes.
Just played a mahogany top guitar the other day for the first time and was impressed. They didn't have Alvarez guitars at this shop, and it was a Fender that I tried, but I was impressed. Would love to try an Alvarez with mahogany top, back and sides (all solid wood) some day. Great video.
@AlvarezGuitars. I have a 1977 model 5022 model "Barn Find" I found in my aunt's barn in upper Michigan and this thing went through the Michigan weather but check this out!!!! It surprisingly looks great and sounds great!!!!!! I wish you all could hear it!!!!!
I love the articulate tone that comes from my AD66SHB. I have some Sitka Spruce top guitars that are part of the Anniversary Limited Series that sound wonderful. All good and a great variety of sound and tone.
Great video and comparison! I like that you used laminate back and sides for this comparison, as it reduces other factors in different pieces of solid wood. Mahogany does often get a bad rap, especially from old school players etc. But I have to say that I much prefer the sound of the mahogany guitar in your comparison. Thanks so much for producing this series of informative videos.
That was a very educational solid top comparison upload, especially when it came to the "tap test". Truth be told, that's why I prefer Sitka paired with any wood from the mahogany group on my dreadnoughts. That combination allows for a more musically diverse approach in my playing, whereas going with a mahogany top instead could open up certain sonic possibilities not readily present in Sitka but end up narrowing the overall scope of what I can play by comparison. Matter of fact, I'm currently looking into acoustic lap steel guitars with a solid mahogany top and mahogany back/sides for that sole reason 😊. Would love to see Alvarez begin exploring those particular body shapes at some point, sure they can come up with some surprising additions to their already-noteworthy product lines...
I put on some new Flexcore type strings on my AD66SHB and it's as if the top has an even more articulate sparkle to my ear. It's all in what one prefers but such a great sound in the middle register.
I bought an AD66 on a sale from Andertons in the UK 2 years ago. I took the chance and I am still surprised how great it sounds every time I play it. Boomy, open and well balanced. So basically I got a killer deal on a wonderful guitar. I installed a K&K Pure mini in it so it can do anything. Now if only I was a good guitar player 🤣
I just love the tone of mahogany topped guitars, they have a unique chime that is missing from spruce...I will say it takes a few years for mahogany to age tonewise, but they do if you play them. Mahogany tops must be thinner, with less bracing to really bring out the advantages...Martin knows how to build them as they have for almost 90 years. I have played a couple 30's and 40's Martin 15's, a Santa Cruz and a couple Collings and a few others all hog acoustics at my local shop Dream Guitars...all I could say was wow!
I'm not an expert on acoustic guitars, but I love the resonance of mahogany in old solid body electrics. Nothing sounds like an old Gibson unplugged so just the wood tones shine, whether a Les Paul, SG, Melody Maker, or any of those great mahogany guitars. The maple top on certain models brings brightness, but the mahogany remains. Plugged in, pickup selection is simpler if that resonance is appealing to the player... P90, soap bar, any number of humbuckers... it doesn't change the warmth to a major degree. A Telecaster will never sound like a Les Paul, even the humbucker models. Of course, these days effects often cover the sound of the guitar, so perhaps the wood is less important to some. IMO, listening to the tap test on this video highlights the qualities of the mahogany. The strum test displays the deep richness. My acoustics are Spruce, but mahogany is my favorite wood.
We should start calling it what it is. Fohogany or by it’s true name. It’s not Honduran or anywhere near the same sound characteristics. It’s not bad, it’s just not mahogany or near it.
Thing with Spruce is that it opens up the more you play it and becomes a better guitar over time. Whereas I haven't experienced the same with mahogany or cedar. They do tend to mature over time too but not to the same extent as spruce (Sitka/Adirondack/Engelmann/Lutz).
Frankly, both of these guitars sound phenomenal. Love my own Alvarez masterworks and Yairi guitars!
We love hearing that. Thanks @DJ Wisdom 👍
I truly love your UA-cam videos. You have the best demonstrations and explanations. The art and engineering of guitar building is one of my favorite topics and you guys share a lot of information that makes me appreciate it even more.
We appreciate that, Eric! We have a lot more in store. (And we're always open to suggestions.)
Thank you to these gentlemen for this excellent video. The more Alvarez videos I see and the more I listen to Chris Meikle the more determined I am to own an Alvarez guitar.
Thank you, @waynzwhirled! We love hearing that and we love making these episodes. Glad you are enjoying them. Which Alvarez do you have your eye on?
Great video. You guys are doing a great job explaining the differences between the different wood combinations.
8:02 vs. 7:36 for a strum side by side!
I am a singer-songwriter and love the sound from mahogany guitars...
I asked my neighbor, who was Jimmy Foster's assistant (of Foster Guitars in SE Louisiana), when told that Jimmy tapped and planed his guitar tops, what Jimmy was listening for was "not G". If it was left at G it would resonate and accentuate/amplify the most common open tones to the detriment of the other notes.
Banjo players often tune the head to G♯, for the same reason I suppose.
Keep up good work guys! Love the content!
Thank you, Lee! We've got lots more in store. If you have any requests for topics, we always love hearing them.
The thumping on the wood was very insightful and cool!
Thank you, R. K., glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Just played a mahogany top guitar the other day for the first time and was impressed. They didn't have Alvarez guitars at this shop, and it was a Fender that I tried, but I was impressed. Would love to try an Alvarez with mahogany top, back and sides (all solid wood) some day.
Great video.
@AlvarezGuitars. I have a 1977 model 5022 model "Barn Find" I found in my aunt's barn in upper Michigan and this thing went through the Michigan weather but check this out!!!! It surprisingly looks great and sounds great!!!!!! I wish you all could hear it!!!!!
I love the articulate tone that comes from my AD66SHB. I have some Sitka Spruce top guitars that are part of the Anniversary Limited Series that sound wonderful. All good and a great variety of sound and tone.
Great video and comparison! I like that you used laminate back and sides for this comparison, as it reduces other factors in different pieces of solid wood. Mahogany does often get a bad rap, especially from old school players etc. But I have to say that I much prefer the sound of the mahogany guitar in your comparison. Thanks so much for producing this series of informative videos.
Thank you @AltoidTinSurvival, we appreciate you tuning in 👍
You described my AD66SHB to a tee. Love this guitar and the AD60 is a great guitar as well.
That was a very educational solid top comparison upload, especially when it came to the "tap test". Truth be told, that's why I prefer Sitka paired with any wood from the mahogany group on my dreadnoughts. That combination allows for a more musically diverse approach in my playing, whereas going with a mahogany top instead could open up certain sonic possibilities not readily present in Sitka but end up narrowing the overall scope of what I can play by comparison. Matter of fact, I'm currently looking into acoustic lap steel guitars with a solid mahogany top and mahogany back/sides for that sole reason 😊. Would love to see Alvarez begin exploring those particular body shapes at some point, sure they can come up with some surprising additions to their already-noteworthy product lines...
Thanks @PeekaPeep! We love that combination too. More to come 👍
My original AD66 that I had back 9 years ago is so different in the sound from what I can remember. My AD66SHB has such a more mellow sound.
I put on some new Flexcore type strings on my AD66SHB and it's as if the top has an even more articulate sparkle to my ear. It's all in what one prefers but such a great sound in the middle register.
Purchased my 50's J-45 with Sitka-Spruce on top.. can't descrive the sound and the Joy ❤️
I bought an AD66 on a sale from Andertons in the UK 2 years ago. I took the chance and I am still surprised how great it sounds every time I play it. Boomy, open and well balanced. So basically I got a killer deal on a wonderful guitar. I installed a K&K Pure mini in it so it can do anything. Now if only I was a good guitar player 🤣
That's fantastic to hear, thanks for sharing Jóhannes! That's a great choice, too. 👍
I just love the tone of mahogany topped guitars, they have a unique chime that is missing from spruce...I will say it takes a few years for mahogany to age tonewise, but they do if you play them. Mahogany tops must be thinner, with less bracing to really bring out the advantages...Martin knows how to build them as they have for almost 90 years. I have played a couple 30's and 40's Martin 15's, a Santa Cruz and a couple Collings and a few others all hog acoustics at my local shop Dream Guitars...all I could say was wow!
Two of the best bangs for the buck in the industry.
I think Mohageny has sound like mellow & Sitka sounds brighter. I love Mohageny
Alvarez guitars are fkn incredible. I only buy the solid or ‘all wood’ guitars but man they are just fantastic guitars.
We love to hear this! Thanks for the kind words @coaltrain. 🙌
Videos like this make me want more guitars
You can never have too many. 👍
If you were going to be getting an acoustic baritone what makes more sense mahogony or sitka what would you say?
sitka is just the way
I'm not an expert on acoustic guitars, but I love the resonance of mahogany in old solid body electrics. Nothing sounds like an old Gibson unplugged so just the wood tones shine, whether a Les Paul, SG, Melody Maker, or any of those great mahogany guitars. The maple top on certain models brings brightness, but the mahogany remains. Plugged in, pickup selection is simpler if that resonance is appealing to the player... P90, soap bar, any number of humbuckers... it doesn't change the warmth to a major degree. A Telecaster will never sound like a Les Paul, even the humbucker models. Of course, these days effects often cover the sound of the guitar, so perhaps the wood is less important to some. IMO, listening to the tap test on this video highlights the qualities of the mahogany. The strum test displays the deep richness. My acoustics are Spruce, but mahogany is my favorite wood.
Some great point here, @petset77! We love Mahogany wood, thanks for tuning in.🙌
Both sound great but the spruce wins me over for sure.
I wish Alvarez would make a AF30L for us lefty's.
Audio compression on your videos are a little too much
Curious to know what accent do each have ?
The guitars or the lads?
So sorry.... Is anyone else having trouble understanding Chris? With all due respect, I find it almost impossible to understand him....
No
No
No
We should start calling it what it is. Fohogany or by it’s true name. It’s not Honduran or anywhere near the same sound characteristics. It’s not bad, it’s just not mahogany or near it.