Sapele vs Mahogany

[Yimi]

Greetings to you, guitarists,

Before I start rambling about the different types of Mahoganies I want you to know this: There are 3 major types of mahoganies used in the wood market at this time, and those are American/South American/Honduras Mahogany, African/Khaya Mahogany, and Sapele. Sapele being the densest and heaviest of the three , and American being the lightest.

Here is what the topic is about; am i compromising the guitar's weight by choosing Sapele? It is considerably heavier than the vintage correct, American Mahog. Even though this can be a problem, it does offer good advantages. It sustains longer, it is stiffer/stronger, more highs/mids (in my case that is a good thing), it is cheaper (almost half the price) and it is prettier because of the ribbon stripping. (all this info is just what I have learned from logical thinking and from the web) So, can anybody confirm this and is it worth the extra pounds?

thank you for your time, and  :rock-on:

 

[ptirman]

I have Sapele as a top laminate and didn't realize it can be used by Warmoth as a body wood. If so, depending on the build, why don't you chamber the body? I got it as a top laminate because of the way the quilting looks.

 

[Yimi]

No, I'm not buying the wood from warmoth. I've got a wood store not far from home, and it would be a shame not buy from them.

 

[OzziePete]

No, I'm not buying the wood from warmoth. I've got a wood store not far from home, and it would be a shame not buy from them.

Getting wood for a guitar might be a lot different to buying wood for a furniture project job. Check with the supplier you intend using, about the density of the wood they have and it's moisture content.

If the weight of the cheaper Sapele is a worry, maybe think of chambering the guitar body (if that's what you are using the Sapele for).  :dontknow:

 

[Yimi]

It's a luthier supplier, so I woudn't worry to much bout quality.

I'm not sure if chambering is the solution (I've heard people complain that recent Gibsons sound "thin" because of chambering..) Is making the body thinner a good idea or would it affect the tone a lot?

 

[OzziePete]

It's a luthier supplier, so I woudn't worry to much bout quality.

I'm not sure if chambering is the solution (I've heard people complain that recent Gibsons sound "thin" because of chambering..) Is making the body thinner a good idea or would it affect the tone a lot?

You say they are luthier suppliers? Do they cater for the manufacturers and supply them with untreated, wet wood (ie. Moisture content is naturally present)  or do they dry out their woods prior to sale? You really want to know if you can use the wood straight away or need to stow it for drying out for a while.

Chambering a solid body guitar can be OK if you do the chambering properly, which is something that Warmoth do. Read their website for details..

Talk to your luthier supplier about the thickness they cut their wood. Any change you make to a guitar build could well affect it's tone (in theory).

 

[ptirman]

I talked to a supplier as well early in the process. I ended not going with them. Warmoth told me they need kiln dried wood, period.