The surface reflection of soundwaves from the strings is where the wood used shows itself the most in actual sound with density and weight being what has such a heavy impact on sustain. *The physics are such that the harder and less resonant the wood, the more the energy stays in the strings and the longer they will vibrate;* however, with that you also have to consider resonance and dampening because depending how much energy stays in from plucking and strumming, your risk of the string itself distorting is more present. *The boil down is it's a cheap wood that performs well in light of the one size fits all pursuits, but those of us used to very heavy mahogany like myself might not be happy when they pick that guitar up.* Every mahogany guitar I own is dense *and heavy as a boulder.* I love the sound of basswood and mahogany, so the African breed will often provide an in between expectations for someone like myself, but I still always expect my mahogany guitars to be extremely dense and heavy, period.
I think this is the same wood that makes up the laminated back/sides on my late-2020 Alvarez AD-60L model (GREAT-sounding guitar for its price range, by the way 😉). Definitely the "go-to" mahogany choice for those who struggle to find the highly sought-after, yet increasingly expensive "Honduran" variety usually found in high-end, all-solid acoustic offerings.
Do you use grain filler before you apply the tru-oil? Also, did you finish the back and neck with tru-oil first before using poly on the top? Thanks for making this video.
Is there a major tonal difference between this and Honduran mahogany? I’m about to try and build my own guitar and Honduran mahogany is so expensive that I’m wondering if it’s worth it.
Adam Kotch It is. it depends a lot on the age of the individual tree I think too. It's a tad lighter in weight from what I've noticed. Just what I've noticed in my minor experiences with builds.
thats not a poly top, that tru-oil!!! wet sanded and buffed out so that it looks like nitro poly etc.. I did not use any grain filler. Never do just leave the wood natural.
That guitar is absolutely stunning
The surface reflection of soundwaves from the strings is where the wood used shows itself the most in actual sound with density and weight being what has such a heavy impact on sustain. *The physics are such that the harder and less resonant the wood, the more the energy stays in the strings and the longer they will vibrate;* however, with that you also have to consider resonance and dampening because depending how much energy stays in from plucking and strumming, your risk of the string itself distorting is more present.
*The boil down is it's a cheap wood that performs well in light of the one size fits all pursuits, but those of us used to very heavy mahogany like myself might not be happy when they pick that guitar up.*
Every mahogany guitar I own is dense *and heavy as a boulder.*
I love the sound of basswood and mahogany, so the African breed will often provide an in between expectations for someone like myself, but I still always expect my mahogany guitars to be extremely dense and heavy, period.
Good to know, thanks D!
Holy crap that top is gorgeous
I think this is the same wood that makes up the laminated back/sides on my late-2020 Alvarez AD-60L model (GREAT-sounding guitar for its price range, by the way 😉). Definitely the "go-to" mahogany choice for those who struggle to find the highly sought-after, yet increasingly expensive "Honduran" variety usually found in high-end, all-solid acoustic offerings.
I want that blue burst so bad.
Do you use grain filler before you apply the tru-oil? Also, did you finish the back and neck with tru-oil first before using poly on the top? Thanks for making this video.
I would like the answer too! Good questions
Do fill the grain when using AM and if so with what?
Is it good for CG necks (no truss rod)?
hi my friend :) what do you think about brasil and honduras mahogany?.I will make explorer style guitar
Is there a major tonal difference between this and Honduran mahogany? I’m about to try and build my own guitar and Honduran mahogany is so expensive that I’m wondering if it’s worth it.
Adam Kotch It is. it depends a lot on the age of the individual tree I think too. It's a tad lighter in weight from what I've noticed. Just what I've noticed in my minor experiences with builds.
Do you think there would be any tonal contribution to a guitar build if I upgraded to Honduran for the neck on an ultra-light African mahogany body.
Did you make a template for DC les paul or found/bought one?
+Fantym guitar building templates dot com
thank you very much :) I plan on making a DC very soon.
hold the board at the node and it will ring
if I was going to paint a solid color I might, but if I am going with earth tones I leave it.
thats not a poly top, that tru-oil!!! wet sanded and buffed out so that it looks like nitro poly etc..
I did not use any grain filler. Never do just leave the wood natural.
Is there a tone difference between Honduras and African Mahogany?!
slight. I would say african a tad harder.
You mean khaya wood?