Having 3 OM variants, I feel that in the interests of scientific research I ought to “home test” a dreadnought.
This has got me thinking about Mahogany vs Rosewood back & sides; essentially D18 vs D28.
The differences between my Mahogany (apologies, I cannot bring my self to type “hog”) and Rosewood OMs may be due to the wood but could be due to other differences between my guitars (different scale lengths, 12 vs 14 frets, handmade vs factory, etc).
My gut feel about the impact of the wood is that Mahogany makes the guitar more visceral and immediate whilst Rosewood makes the guitar thicker sounding, warmer, a little more orchestral.
Does any of that resonate with you guys? Or am I ascribing characteristics to the wood which are, in fact, the result of other features of the guitars?
I suppose I’m wondering if, because my preferred OM is Mahogany (Spruce top), my preferred Dred is also likely to be Mahogany. Or maybe I prefer that particular OM despite it being Mahogany rather than because it is Mahogany....
All these existential questions.....
What is your experience of the two woods?
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All things being exact for soundboard and bracing (which it never is) the presumption Mahogany guitars favour the midrange and have a dryer response whilst Rosewood ones have more presence and sustain in the bass and trebles. So it could be seen that Mahogany is 'warmer' and rosewood guitars could be 'brighter' and 'darker' at the same time.
There are other woods as well, Maple being the 'another' alternative with the possibly the greatest history after the two already mentioned.
There is a difference but it is less pronounced that 12 vs 14 fret, or bracing stiffness, soundboard tap tuning etc.
Also you get variation from one piece of rosewood or mahogany to another.
They have tendencies though and mahogany has a more pronounced midrange with a soft top end.
Paired with a Sitka SB is quite different to a mahogany SB.
Rosewood has a more neutral middle and sweeter top end.
You can ruin either build by screwing up the bracing.
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A Taylor made from Spruce/Rosewood will sound considerably different to a Martin of the same materials. Not better or worse but different.
In general (and all else being equal) Rosewood b/s would be slightly scooped, while mahogany b/s would have a flatter or slightly mid pushed eq curve.
But bracing and body size also play a very important role. In very general terms, either forward shifting the bracing or having thinner bracing would encourage a boomier response.
With regard to the D18 and D28 (reimagined), both have 5/16" forward shifted bracing. However, the D18 has scalloped bracing, which makes them thinner and therefore the top is more able to vibrate. For a scalloped D28 guitar you'd be looking at an HD28.
How do you find the v neck on the 28v?
It is a shame as I'd love a 15 series with short scale and 1 11/16 nut, but they don't make them anymore
When I bought my Dove (maple, obv) I played it against a bunch of D18/D28/etc types and the close second was a D28. I've since swapped the Dove for a mid-2000s HD28 and it's basically the perfect "acoustic guitar sound in my head"-sound. Not as toppy as the Dove but much richer
Having played mainly acoustic for over fifty years I’ve come to the conclusion it’s the WHOLE guitar not the component parts - u said -
Mahogany (apologies, I cannot bring my self to type “hog”) and Rosewood OMs may be due to the wood but could be due to other differences between my guitars (different scale lengths, 12 vs 14 frets, handmade vs factory, etc). “
Well with this seemingly simple example - u got many differences - e.g. soundboard thickness, bracing dimensions / profile / positioning and so on - lets not forget bridge plate material and dimensions - only joking (or an I).
Nah - it’s the whole thing.
I’ve also said here in the past - given MY string choice AND playing technique I find these override top and back materials - I generate my sound on any (well made) guitar.
It would move / replace the endless cycle of ‘GAS’ and replace it with ‘WAS’ (wood acquisition syndrome’) and / or ‘TAS’ (tool acquisition syndrome’) - just my experience.
I’m imagining the conversation with my wife...
”Darling (for that is how I address her) I shan’t be buying any more guitars”
”Oh, good”
”From now on, I’m going to make my own. All I’ll need is a few hand tools and a workbench. And some wood of course. Some Mahogany for the back and sides. Some Spruce. Ebony for the appointments. Perhaps some Koa for the binding. Maybe an electric saw. And a router. Some chemicals for spraying the coating. And ventilation of course. And some where to hang the guitar between spray coats....”
”Jelly, just go to a shop and BUY the bloody guitar”
Win Win!