Your videos reveal the depth of knowledge that goes into manufacturing Alvarez guitars. My other favourite brand, Taylor also give detailed information about tonewoods on their website and are very innovative. I own both. Alvarez cost a lot less. OK they come from China rather than California or Mexico, but there is no denying that the standard of workmanship in the Alvarez factory is at least the equal of the American brands, if not better.
I have been playing guitar since 1961. My first guitar was a 1939 Martin 00-17.. all mahogany. I have owned a considerable number of guitars since, some rosewood, but have remained loyal to Mahogany. Currently have a Martin 0000-1 and a 00-18V. In another life... 1980s) I hustled (sold) wood specifically for instrument makers. I still have a sizeable stash of wood to include mahogany, all from the 80s or earlier. "Genuine", Honduran from Belize, and humilis, brazilian, khaya, sapele and others from Guiana and around the Caribbean. I was in Belize scouting for wood. While there around Monkey River I met a dugout boat maker, Godwin. . His boats were all hand hewn from Mahogany. They were called Monkey River Dories. He was the last boat maker. By good fortune he needed to get another tree. As a native of Belize he was allow a $12 permit to take a tree. My host was an American living just south of Monkey River and a good friend of the boat maker, which led to me my friend and three others to go on a tree hunt. We took a 25 ft boat up the river and moored it. Then off on a long hike with chain saws, axes and other equipment. After a half day, Godwin led us to the tree he had previously tagged. The tree was massive, stately, tall and straight and stout. We set to taking it down. When felled we cut it to 2 4 20 ft lengths .. then the fun began in hollowing as much wood as possible to drag/float it down a stream to the river. I have the photos. Me sitting on this tree with an ax.. yup ax work. Godwin is gone, my friend moved to Argentina, Monkey River is now ruined by tourists, they are no more Monkey River Dories, but luckily the mahogany trees are protected and off limits. The new fad of "sinker" mahogany keeps the poaching down. I quit wood hustling and occasionally build an instrument. I gift wood to local luthiers. Florida once had mahogany forests, all gone. Swietenia was named after Dr. Gerard Van Swieten 1700-1772. He was born and lived in the Netherlands and moved to Austria where he founded a Botanical Garden. Nikolaus Joseph Von Jacquin bestowed that honor to Dr Swieten. In France anything that looks like mahogany is called "acajou". I suspect one day an "enterprising" person will be selling ACAJOU as the latest wonder wood for guitars. The word ACAJOU came from Brazil which was the name for cashew trees which were a similar color to mahogany. And then there is Mountain MAhogany hich is not a mahogany but a meber of the rose family. % types in the Sierra Mts, Eastern Washington and Oregon down to Arizona. There is a rare type on Catalina island. This tree/large bush, when dried, which is difficult, will sink in water. As to using it in musical instruments, .. tail pieces and pegs for violins.
I have bee watching y'all religiously for a year or more . This was one of my top three favorite episodes. Very informative. Info I can use in my buying decisions. I thought my collection of three guitars all had mahogany back and sides.... when actually, now I believe I have none. Eye opening. Keep it up!
Love your program, your music and all the things guitar your share... I have owned and love my Alvarez Yairi D-45 mahogany since 1986. Blessings to you...
Yes, the Brits (my wife was born there and I had Scots relatives-love that country), took Jamaica in 1655. But it took five years to expel the Spanish. I have a mahogany and it’s nice.
Great episode! Manufacturers are all over the map on mahogany. Martin has “genuine mahogany” for its D-18 and models above that, while the D-15 and the like are “mahogany” which can be either genuine, sipo, or khaya. Mahogany for Breedlove is all khaya. So it goes. Not to leave Alvarez out of the confusion game, I have an ‘89 DY-90 which I believe to have been made of laminated Brazilian Rosewood but the catalog from that time called it “Heartwood Jacaranda”. Lovely instrument whatever it is. As is my ‘16 Martin 000-15SM with some type of unspecified mahogany.
Sapelle is an interesting wood. It is very strong and heavy but has a grain that alternates each way in the stripes and is difficult to thickness plane and easy to get tear out unless you have very sharp planer knives. It needs to be thickness sanded down for finishing guitar sides. I’ve built several acoustics using it and it makes a very strong body. Looks nice lacquered. 🎸
Interesting stuff! I’m a wood nerd so I love this kind of information. I really want one of the Honduran/Adi Yairi Dreadnaughts….just have to swallow hard and spend the money.
Wow, your timing is amazing! I just picked up my MG66CE Custom yesterday, so a discussion of Mahogany is quite relevant to me. This guitar plays wonderfully, the action set up from the factory is quite low. I may actually need to raise it a bit with the truss rod. It's encouraging to hear that the tone of Khaya is similar to Honduran Mahogany, so even though my guitar is not quite at the Yairi level, I can still enjoy something like that same tone. I am still getting used to it not being quite as loud as Spruce, but I really like it. And I have already tried listening to the Hi Fi system at home with headphones and it is incredible. Add a little reverb and chorus and **mwah** chef's kiss. By the way, thanks for including an installed battery!
❤just bought a Laureate series Parlor, classic bridge on all these. Outstanding full sounding guitar overall, as well made as my Taylor 812 DLX and Breedlove Concertina Legacy 🎶🎵🤗
I can't wait to get my Yairi 66,I bet Honduras mahogany has great tone and sustain!.I learned a lot about mahogany's History today.😊 Woody sounds so cool!.
I was just thinking it would be interesting to do a show on different types of strings and how they are impacted by the different tonewoods and build types. I know it’s opening up a major can of worms. I’m referring more to the alloy used as well as gauge not brand.
Chris, I am still waiting for the Book! The History of Tonewoods, tonal sound, guitar shapes and differences Bracing etc. Another great video, thanks.👍👍🎸🎸
Mahoganies are also my preferred back and sides wood.... The trebles aren't ice-pick harsh... too much bass is over-rated imo... and it has CHARACTER - lots of mid-range growl and grunt. A good player doesn't need a room full of overtones - but good mahogany with a well matched top can produce just enough wonderful overtones. I agree - preferable to rosewood.
Remember the 70's when everyone was sick of furniture being made by mahogany? Found the video a tad boring though guy's, needs something to make it more interesting i think 🤔
Your videos reveal the depth of knowledge that goes into manufacturing Alvarez guitars. My other favourite brand, Taylor also give detailed information about tonewoods on their website and are very innovative. I own both. Alvarez cost a lot less. OK they come from China rather than California or Mexico, but there is no denying that the standard of workmanship in the Alvarez factory is at least the equal of the American brands, if not better.
Thank you. We strive for perfection in our work every day and we appreciate your kind words!
I have been playing guitar since 1961. My first guitar was a 1939 Martin 00-17.. all mahogany. I have owned a considerable number of guitars since,
some rosewood, but have remained loyal to Mahogany. Currently have a Martin 0000-1 and a 00-18V.
In another life... 1980s) I hustled (sold) wood specifically for instrument makers. I still have a sizeable stash of wood to include mahogany, all from the 80s or earlier.
"Genuine", Honduran from Belize, and humilis, brazilian, khaya, sapele and others from Guiana and around the Caribbean.
I was in Belize scouting for wood. While there around Monkey River I met a dugout boat maker, Godwin. . His boats were all hand hewn from Mahogany.
They were called Monkey River Dories. He was the last boat maker. By good fortune he needed to get another tree. As a native of Belize he was allow a $12 permit to take a tree.
My host was an American living just south of Monkey River and a good friend of the boat maker, which led to me my friend and three others to go on a tree hunt.
We took a 25 ft boat up the river and moored it. Then off on a long hike with chain saws, axes and other equipment. After a half day, Godwin led us to the tree he had previously tagged.
The tree was massive, stately, tall and straight and stout. We set to taking it down. When felled we cut it to 2 4 20 ft lengths .. then the fun began in hollowing as much wood as
possible to drag/float it down a stream to the river. I have the photos. Me sitting on this tree with an ax.. yup ax work.
Godwin is gone, my friend moved to Argentina, Monkey River is now ruined by tourists, they are no more Monkey River Dories, but luckily the mahogany trees are protected and off limits.
The new fad of "sinker" mahogany keeps the poaching down.
I quit wood hustling and occasionally build an instrument. I gift wood to local luthiers.
Florida once had mahogany forests, all gone.
Swietenia was named after Dr. Gerard Van Swieten 1700-1772. He was born and lived in the Netherlands and moved to Austria where he founded a Botanical Garden.
Nikolaus Joseph Von Jacquin bestowed that honor to Dr Swieten.
In France anything that looks like mahogany is called "acajou". I suspect one day an "enterprising" person will be selling ACAJOU as the latest wonder wood for guitars.
The word ACAJOU came from Brazil which was the name for cashew trees which were a similar color to mahogany.
And then there is Mountain MAhogany hich is not a mahogany but a meber of the rose family. % types in the Sierra Mts, Eastern Washington and Oregon down to Arizona. There is a rare type on Catalina island.
This tree/large bush, when dried, which is difficult, will sink in water. As to using it in musical instruments, .. tail pieces and pegs for violins.
I have bee watching y'all religiously for a year or more . This was one of my top three favorite episodes. Very informative. Info I can use in my buying decisions. I thought my collection of three guitars all had mahogany back and sides.... when actually, now I believe I have none. Eye opening. Keep it up!
Love your program, your music and all the things guitar your share... I have owned and love my Alvarez Yairi D-45 mahogany since 1986. Blessings to you...
Yes, the Brits (my wife was born there and I had Scots relatives-love that country), took Jamaica in 1655. But it took five years to expel the Spanish.
I have a mahogany and it’s nice.
Great episode! Manufacturers are all over the map on mahogany. Martin has “genuine mahogany” for its D-18 and models above that, while the D-15 and the like are “mahogany” which can be either genuine, sipo, or khaya. Mahogany for Breedlove is all khaya. So it goes. Not to leave Alvarez out of the confusion game, I have an ‘89 DY-90 which I believe to have been made of laminated Brazilian Rosewood but the catalog from that time called it “Heartwood Jacaranda”. Lovely instrument whatever it is. As is my ‘16 Martin 000-15SM with some type of unspecified mahogany.
Wonderful episode. Your shows are my favourites. Thank you very much!
Sapelle is an interesting wood. It is very strong and heavy but has a grain that alternates each way in the stripes and is difficult to thickness plane and easy to get tear out unless you have very sharp planer knives. It needs to be thickness sanded down for finishing guitar sides. I’ve built several acoustics using it and it makes a very strong body. Looks nice lacquered. 🎸
Interesting stuff! I’m a wood nerd so I love this kind of information. I really want one of the Honduran/Adi Yairi Dreadnaughts….just have to swallow hard and spend the money.
Just amazing information! I now have a Taylor 50th anniversary ad14 and it is back and sides of walnut...way different than mahogany or rosewood!
Great history lesson!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Wow, your timing is amazing! I just picked up my MG66CE Custom yesterday, so a discussion of Mahogany is quite relevant to me. This guitar plays wonderfully, the action set up from the factory is quite low. I may actually need to raise it a bit with the truss rod.
It's encouraging to hear that the tone of Khaya is similar to Honduran Mahogany, so even though my guitar is not quite at the Yairi level, I can still enjoy something like that same tone. I am still getting used to it not being quite as loud as Spruce, but I really like it. And I have already tried listening to the Hi Fi system at home with headphones and it is incredible. Add a little reverb and chorus and **mwah** chef's kiss. By the way, thanks for including an installed battery!
Great info, thanks!
Great content as always!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion !!
I have an Alvarez AD66SHB that sounds great.
Can you guys do the same video for Black Walnut used on your Master Works Elite
Do you think Alvarez will ever change that smiley-two piece bridge and go classic?
❤just bought a Laureate series Parlor, classic bridge on all these. Outstanding full sounding guitar overall, as well made as my Taylor 812 DLX and Breedlove Concertina Legacy 🎶🎵🤗
I can't wait to get my Yairi 66,I bet Honduras mahogany has great tone and sustain!.I learned a lot about mahogany's History today.😊 Woody sounds so cool!.
😅😅😅٥
I was just thinking it would be interesting to do a show on different types of strings and how they are impacted by the different tonewoods and build types.
I know it’s opening up a major can of worms.
I’m referring more to the alloy used as well as gauge not brand.
Interesting idea! I'll pass that along to the team. Thanks!
Mahogany is like having your EQ in a U-shape and singing inside the outer peaks. (D18)
Chris, I am still waiting for the Book! The History of Tonewoods, tonal sound, guitar shapes and differences Bracing etc. Another great video, thanks.👍👍🎸🎸
Mahoganies are also my preferred back and sides wood.... The trebles aren't ice-pick harsh... too much bass is over-rated imo... and it has CHARACTER - lots of mid-range growl and grunt. A good player doesn't need a room full of overtones - but good mahogany with a well matched top can produce just enough wonderful overtones. I agree - preferable to rosewood.
Maybe you should try Panama Mahogany.
How bout Philippine mahogany?
Remember the 70's when everyone was sick of furniture being made by mahogany? Found the video a tad boring though guy's, needs something to make it more interesting i think 🤔