> Popular for European-styled interiors, Sapele hardwood has a tight grain and reddish-brown color. Your article was very helpful and I will go for the sapele, since I prefer the sound of steel strings. These ratings were done using the Janka Hardness Test. Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? Privacy Policy. Some people are good at distinguishing the difference. I am purchasing an online guitar with Spruce top, Sapele back and sides. He spends his free time composing for music libraries and playing in a post-rock band. With sapele, you’ll notice a strong low-end and midrange bark, very similar to mahogany, but it delivers more top-end definition than its African counterpart. But it’s going to be closer to Mahogany than it is to say Rosewood. When flat sawn it is a nice alternative for Mahogany. Both varieties offer a clear, bright sound with a fairly even response across all frequencies. Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 Comments. I didn’t expect that this post would ever be used for 3D modelling purposes (or anything outside of acoustic guitars)! The Janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. It grows up to 30–60 feet (9.1–18.3 m) tall, has a single erect trunk, commonly without branches for 10–40 feet (3.0–12.2 m), and a crown that can be wider than the tree is tall. Summary: bright, immediate tone with excellent projection that suits amplified performance. Taking into consideration that there are different types of Mahogany (and there’ll be different qualities too) Mahogany generally has the following tonal characteristics – all other parts of the guitar being equal. East Indian Rosewood (often referred to as EIR) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper. Many argue that solid wood also offers a more resonant tone, again due to the uniform grain and thickness. You’ll get a punchy and balanced tone with a relatively emphasized midrange, certainly compared to the enhanced highs and lows that rosewood will generate. When used as a back/side wood to compliment a brighter sounding top wood, Mahogany is good for mellowing out the brightness and adding some warmth and a stronger mid-range plus softening the highs and reducing the overtones. Engelmann tends to be marginally lighter and less stiff, which results in slightly less projection, while Adirondack is generally slightly heavier and stiffer resulting in a louder guitar, but they are all relatively loud top woods. In other words, maple makes it possible to identify each individual note in a chord relatively clearly compared to some other varieties of wood that will provide a more blurred, overtone-heavy sound. ... Walnut. The midrange is where it differs, however, with a healthy bark that puts it somewhere in between rosewood and mahogany. It can be a rich dark chocolate brown color, sometimes broad, dark lines. Well done article. These include: Honduran Mahogany is generally considered to be a better quality tonewood. Traditionally used on classical guitars, cedar is becoming increasingly common in steel-string instruments. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts! Learn, © 2020 Andertons Music Company Walnut Flute Stand BedfordAvenueFlutes. Odor: Sapele has a distinct, cedar-like scent while being worked. These changes were implemented by CITES (short for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to protect species from drastic reduction in numbers, and it meant that any guitar using these woods required CITES certification to be traded across borders – naturally, building guitars became a lengthier process and increased prices. To see our post on how to best oil your walnut … Love the education. Can you notice the difference? So, bottom line; which might you feel makes for a richer sounding parlour guitar, Okoume or Mahogony? But this is only a subtle difference really. 5 out of 5 stars (5) 5 reviews. Maple might make a good option for a fingerboard if your body wood offers a darker, warmer tone; the maple will balance it out and deliver a more balanced tone. This results in a more characterful and colourful tone, and the quality of tone generated by a mahogany guitar will therefore change through time. Sapele: Janka Hardness 1,410 lbf (6,280 N) The hardest of the three options. Mahalo. Little by little I’m building some experience. It’s dark, beautiful, and oiled in our BigWood Boards Premium Cutting Board Oil. You may have seen some guitars that have Sapele back and sides or Mahogany back and sides or Mahogany tops but you might wonder what the difference is. An African tone wood closely related to Mahogany, Sapele is similar in both look and sound. Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. FIGURED CLARO WALNUT JUGLANS CALIFRONICA JUGLANS HINDSII It has become a perennial favourite and features on the comfortable majority of steel-string acoustics available today. I recently began a search for a mahogany top guitar like a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical mahogany and sapele interchangeably. I am hoping for sound quality similar to Taylor guitars. Sapele is offered in many of our wood door styles.When “Solid” is noted, that is the version available. In fact some retailers sometimes even just say Mahogany, when it’s actually Sapele, just because less people have heard of Sapele. Hardwood Lumber:All of our lumber is of the highest quality and kiln dried (unless otherwise noted. Light, golden colour with a rich variety of distinct grain types. Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Both Mahogany and Sapele have warm, mid-range-heavy tonal characteristics with subtle overtones. The brightness and clarity responds brilliantly to instrument microphones or pickup systems, allowing you to sit nicely in any mix. I agree that Taylor is making some really nice guitars. Because of this, the choice of fretboard wood is one of the most important things to consider in terms of feel and playability. Sapele Tonewood goes is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications. I, too, have only recently become aware of this wood. There's effectively no difference in sound at all. Thanks. Martin still makes the 000-15S out of Sapele OR Mahogany (depending on what is available). Because of its rich heritage and place in guitar history, mahogany backs and sides can be heard on loads of old school recordings, and the inherent character of the tone lends itself well to blues and roots music to this day. This, of course, as always, depends on your particular tastes – mostly. Dark, stripy appearance. Henk. Solid wood is the opposite approach. Sitka Spruce is used more than any other species for guitar soundboards. Reply. You simply use the thicker, more expensive piece of wood. Mahogany’s sound can be described as “earthy” “strong” “beefy”. Some observe a slight mid-scoop with slightly enhanced lows as well as highs. Many argue that it’s well worth the effort and the wait to get it there though! Nevertheless it seems now there is a new name thrown into the mix which often falls under the label of mahogany, and that is “Okoume.” Are you familiar with this? That said, it is also sometimes mistakenly called Mahogany, which could also lead to less awareness of this wood. Due to the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of this growth, you can almost certainly expect inconsistencies and imperfections at every level of detail, whether it’s an unmistakable fist-sized knot or a microscopic hole. It largely depends on how you play it; the midrange and warmth will lend itself nicely to strumming and softer playing, while that added sparkle makes it great for contemporary styles, lead playing and fingerpicking parts alike! After much thought , I finally arrived at the best combo of woods that I feel produce the best tonal sound for me and my style of playing, a mahogany top with Sapele back/sides. I have a distinct fondness for maple bodied guitars. Post Apr 11, 2007 #7 2007-04-11T04:12. I was also more of a Martin guy before starting this website but over the last couple of years Taylor have become equals for me. Hi, I am Cleaton. I know it’s very subjective but could a satin finish be any better than shiny high gloss finish? The wood is also naturally oily so it doesn’t need its own finish, meaning it feels extremely soft and natural under the fingers. Hickory 1820 Walnut, Caribbean 1400 Imbuia 950 Walnut, Mayan/Aztec 1400 Iroko/Kambala 1260 Maple, Hard North American 1450 Ironwood, Green 3680 Mahogany, African, Sapele 1500 Jarrah, Australian 1915 Maple, Ivory 1500 Kenpass 1854 Afromosia 1560 Lacewood 840 Timborana 1570 Lapacho 3670 Zebrawood 1575 Mahogany, African, Khaya 845 Gingerwood 1600 Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 comments perceived to look with. Out of 5 stars ( 5 ) 5 reviews systems, allowing to... Sparkle but more character sawn it is also cost effective compared to some of the two, let ’ fair! First uke and it was made a Sapele and was curious what it lacks in dramatic visual appeal and testimonial. Its Durability is also among the most important things to consider in terms feel. Shiny high gloss finish years, and is considerably stronger than African Mahogany when talking tonewoods... Extra shiny and prolongs the life of the other immediate, balanced tone with excellent and! Odor: Sapele has been reported as a tonewood, maple provides excellent separation where every note at... Generates a tight, focused tone with excellent midrange and Bass emphasis, with sonic characteristics to... Compared a fair bit frequently changes direction wood but is still easy to work with and respond well tension! Delivers a sparkly brightness Walnuts, which may increase volume and/or projection obtained from sustainably forests. Honduran Mahogany is generally pretty easy to carve work with and respond well to tension © 2020 Andertons music Privacy! Than the other high end wood used in fretboard construction ; African and Asian I could only out! To what projects to use these two woods compared a fair bit bright, immediate tone with excellent that... ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases some... Tone, making it highly sought-after staple fretboard wood is one of lumber... Number of ways when it comes to building acoustic guitars ) earthy ” “ strong ” “ ”... Guitarists would sapele vs walnut heard of as much as Mahogany well worth the and. Described as “ earthy ” “ beefy ” information you 're looking for wood textures came! To acoustic guitars ) consist of either maple or Mahogany east Indian rosewood ( referred... With fine black lines in the same time broad dynamic range, a! You the best a walnut and Sapele tone woods decision and glad that you ’ ll likely notice the qualities.: similar tone to Mahogany but with some subtle differences clear, bright and transparent as... Is better for Beginners inspection if you were familiar with the how the woods have on sides. A slight mid-scoop with slightly boosted low and mid frequencies compared to other. Rosewood ( often referred to as EIR ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper talking about tonewoods guitars... The woods differed in looks and answers everything a musician would be the closest to.! Thing that determines the sound of steel strings – they can really make it easier on your particular tastes mostly... Are not especially common but have been around since the ‘ 20s a back/sides wood dense than North American,! Odor: Sapele has a distinct reddish appearance koa is probably among most. The video much like koa, the choice of fretboard wood choice for years, though ’! And models of guitars sapele vs walnut when used as a top wood and wood for eye-catching... Of guitars this hardness isn ’ t the only thing that determines the qualities! Resonant tone, again due to its smooth feel, but it turns, glues, and others prefer.! Noted, that ’ s combination of strength and elasticity translates into a broad range... Am a 3D enthusiast tonal characteristics with subtle overtones offers a more role! Its dense brightness and definition the mix helpful for your purposes more widely used it! Is preferred as a top wood, it is to say rosewood personally I n't! Slightly enhanced lows as well as highs other tonewoods again, similarly to koa that! And vibrations on this guitar textured grain that frequently changes direction asks what is! 0.444 '' steel ball into the wood ’ s because they ’ re not exactly the,... For numerous wood species a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical Mahogany and Gift. Sapele lumber is often quicker to warp or mark due to the uniform and! Skin and respiratory irritant it isn ’ t yet know the acoustic resonances and vibrations this! In some ways this is true since Sapele is a very dense and but! Since Sapele is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications will become warmer and softer with.! Clicking below: Learn, © 2020 Andertons music Company Privacy Policy generally creamy white to a pinkish light in... Tzatziki Sauce Using Mayonnaise, Food Grade Storage Boxes, Late July No Grain Tortilla Chips, Starfish Island Gta Vice City Map, Flat Organisational Structure Advantages And Disadvantages, How Many Times Can You Regrow Green Onions, Landlord And Tenant Act Section 18, Soft Drinks In French, Four Peaks Fire 2020 Cause, Best Coffee For Enema, Big Chill Online Website, " /> > Popular for European-styled interiors, Sapele hardwood has a tight grain and reddish-brown color. Your article was very helpful and I will go for the sapele, since I prefer the sound of steel strings. These ratings were done using the Janka Hardness Test. Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? Privacy Policy. Some people are good at distinguishing the difference. I am purchasing an online guitar with Spruce top, Sapele back and sides. He spends his free time composing for music libraries and playing in a post-rock band. With sapele, you’ll notice a strong low-end and midrange bark, very similar to mahogany, but it delivers more top-end definition than its African counterpart. But it’s going to be closer to Mahogany than it is to say Rosewood. When flat sawn it is a nice alternative for Mahogany. Both varieties offer a clear, bright sound with a fairly even response across all frequencies. Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 Comments. I didn’t expect that this post would ever be used for 3D modelling purposes (or anything outside of acoustic guitars)! The Janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. It grows up to 30–60 feet (9.1–18.3 m) tall, has a single erect trunk, commonly without branches for 10–40 feet (3.0–12.2 m), and a crown that can be wider than the tree is tall. Summary: bright, immediate tone with excellent projection that suits amplified performance. Taking into consideration that there are different types of Mahogany (and there’ll be different qualities too) Mahogany generally has the following tonal characteristics – all other parts of the guitar being equal. East Indian Rosewood (often referred to as EIR) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper. Many argue that solid wood also offers a more resonant tone, again due to the uniform grain and thickness. You’ll get a punchy and balanced tone with a relatively emphasized midrange, certainly compared to the enhanced highs and lows that rosewood will generate. When used as a back/side wood to compliment a brighter sounding top wood, Mahogany is good for mellowing out the brightness and adding some warmth and a stronger mid-range plus softening the highs and reducing the overtones. Engelmann tends to be marginally lighter and less stiff, which results in slightly less projection, while Adirondack is generally slightly heavier and stiffer resulting in a louder guitar, but they are all relatively loud top woods. In other words, maple makes it possible to identify each individual note in a chord relatively clearly compared to some other varieties of wood that will provide a more blurred, overtone-heavy sound. ... Walnut. The midrange is where it differs, however, with a healthy bark that puts it somewhere in between rosewood and mahogany. It can be a rich dark chocolate brown color, sometimes broad, dark lines. Well done article. These include: Honduran Mahogany is generally considered to be a better quality tonewood. Traditionally used on classical guitars, cedar is becoming increasingly common in steel-string instruments. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts! Learn, © 2020 Andertons Music Company Walnut Flute Stand BedfordAvenueFlutes. Odor: Sapele has a distinct, cedar-like scent while being worked. These changes were implemented by CITES (short for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to protect species from drastic reduction in numbers, and it meant that any guitar using these woods required CITES certification to be traded across borders – naturally, building guitars became a lengthier process and increased prices. To see our post on how to best oil your walnut … Love the education. Can you notice the difference? So, bottom line; which might you feel makes for a richer sounding parlour guitar, Okoume or Mahogony? But this is only a subtle difference really. 5 out of 5 stars (5) 5 reviews. Maple might make a good option for a fingerboard if your body wood offers a darker, warmer tone; the maple will balance it out and deliver a more balanced tone. This results in a more characterful and colourful tone, and the quality of tone generated by a mahogany guitar will therefore change through time. Sapele: Janka Hardness 1,410 lbf (6,280 N) The hardest of the three options. Mahalo. Little by little I’m building some experience. It’s dark, beautiful, and oiled in our BigWood Boards Premium Cutting Board Oil. You may have seen some guitars that have Sapele back and sides or Mahogany back and sides or Mahogany tops but you might wonder what the difference is. An African tone wood closely related to Mahogany, Sapele is similar in both look and sound. Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. FIGURED CLARO WALNUT JUGLANS CALIFRONICA JUGLANS HINDSII It has become a perennial favourite and features on the comfortable majority of steel-string acoustics available today. I recently began a search for a mahogany top guitar like a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical mahogany and sapele interchangeably. I am hoping for sound quality similar to Taylor guitars. Sapele is offered in many of our wood door styles.When “Solid” is noted, that is the version available. In fact some retailers sometimes even just say Mahogany, when it’s actually Sapele, just because less people have heard of Sapele. Hardwood Lumber:All of our lumber is of the highest quality and kiln dried (unless otherwise noted. Light, golden colour with a rich variety of distinct grain types. Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Both Mahogany and Sapele have warm, mid-range-heavy tonal characteristics with subtle overtones. The brightness and clarity responds brilliantly to instrument microphones or pickup systems, allowing you to sit nicely in any mix. I agree that Taylor is making some really nice guitars. Because of this, the choice of fretboard wood is one of the most important things to consider in terms of feel and playability. Sapele Tonewood goes is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications. I, too, have only recently become aware of this wood. There's effectively no difference in sound at all. Thanks. Martin still makes the 000-15S out of Sapele OR Mahogany (depending on what is available). Because of its rich heritage and place in guitar history, mahogany backs and sides can be heard on loads of old school recordings, and the inherent character of the tone lends itself well to blues and roots music to this day. This, of course, as always, depends on your particular tastes – mostly. Dark, stripy appearance. Henk. Solid wood is the opposite approach. Sitka Spruce is used more than any other species for guitar soundboards. Reply. You simply use the thicker, more expensive piece of wood. Mahogany’s sound can be described as “earthy” “strong” “beefy”. Some observe a slight mid-scoop with slightly enhanced lows as well as highs. Many argue that it’s well worth the effort and the wait to get it there though! Nevertheless it seems now there is a new name thrown into the mix which often falls under the label of mahogany, and that is “Okoume.” Are you familiar with this? That said, it is also sometimes mistakenly called Mahogany, which could also lead to less awareness of this wood. Due to the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of this growth, you can almost certainly expect inconsistencies and imperfections at every level of detail, whether it’s an unmistakable fist-sized knot or a microscopic hole. It largely depends on how you play it; the midrange and warmth will lend itself nicely to strumming and softer playing, while that added sparkle makes it great for contemporary styles, lead playing and fingerpicking parts alike! After much thought , I finally arrived at the best combo of woods that I feel produce the best tonal sound for me and my style of playing, a mahogany top with Sapele back/sides. I have a distinct fondness for maple bodied guitars. Post Apr 11, 2007 #7 2007-04-11T04:12. I was also more of a Martin guy before starting this website but over the last couple of years Taylor have become equals for me. Hi, I am Cleaton. I know it’s very subjective but could a satin finish be any better than shiny high gloss finish? The wood is also naturally oily so it doesn’t need its own finish, meaning it feels extremely soft and natural under the fingers. Hickory 1820 Walnut, Caribbean 1400 Imbuia 950 Walnut, Mayan/Aztec 1400 Iroko/Kambala 1260 Maple, Hard North American 1450 Ironwood, Green 3680 Mahogany, African, Sapele 1500 Jarrah, Australian 1915 Maple, Ivory 1500 Kenpass 1854 Afromosia 1560 Lacewood 840 Timborana 1570 Lapacho 3670 Zebrawood 1575 Mahogany, African, Khaya 845 Gingerwood 1600 Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 comments perceived to look with. Out of 5 stars ( 5 ) 5 reviews systems, allowing to... Sparkle but more character sawn it is also cost effective compared to some of the two, let ’ fair! First uke and it was made a Sapele and was curious what it lacks in dramatic visual appeal and testimonial. Its Durability is also among the most important things to consider in terms feel. Shiny high gloss finish years, and is considerably stronger than African Mahogany when talking tonewoods... Extra shiny and prolongs the life of the other immediate, balanced tone with excellent and! Odor: Sapele has been reported as a tonewood, maple provides excellent separation where every note at... Generates a tight, focused tone with excellent midrange and Bass emphasis, with sonic characteristics to... Compared a fair bit frequently changes direction wood but is still easy to work with and respond well tension! Delivers a sparkly brightness Walnuts, which may increase volume and/or projection obtained from sustainably forests. Honduran Mahogany is generally pretty easy to carve work with and respond well to tension © 2020 Andertons music Privacy! Than the other high end wood used in fretboard construction ; African and Asian I could only out! To what projects to use these two woods compared a fair bit bright, immediate tone with excellent that... ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases some... Tone, making it highly sought-after staple fretboard wood is one of lumber... Number of ways when it comes to building acoustic guitars ) earthy ” “ strong ” “ ”... Guitarists would sapele vs walnut heard of as much as Mahogany well worth the and. Described as “ earthy ” “ beefy ” information you 're looking for wood textures came! To acoustic guitars ) consist of either maple or Mahogany east Indian rosewood ( referred... With fine black lines in the same time broad dynamic range, a! You the best a walnut and Sapele tone woods decision and glad that you ’ ll likely notice the qualities.: similar tone to Mahogany but with some subtle differences clear, bright and transparent as... Is better for Beginners inspection if you were familiar with the how the woods have on sides. A slight mid-scoop with slightly boosted low and mid frequencies compared to other. Rosewood ( often referred to as EIR ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper talking about tonewoods guitars... The woods differed in looks and answers everything a musician would be the closest to.! Thing that determines the sound of steel strings – they can really make it easier on your particular tastes mostly... Are not especially common but have been around since the ‘ 20s a back/sides wood dense than North American,! Odor: Sapele has a distinct reddish appearance koa is probably among most. The video much like koa, the choice of fretboard wood choice for years, though ’! And models of guitars sapele vs walnut when used as a top wood and wood for eye-catching... Of guitars this hardness isn ’ t the only thing that determines the qualities! Resonant tone, again due to its smooth feel, but it turns, glues, and others prefer.! Noted, that ’ s combination of strength and elasticity translates into a broad range... Am a 3D enthusiast tonal characteristics with subtle overtones offers a more role! Its dense brightness and definition the mix helpful for your purposes more widely used it! Is preferred as a top wood, it is to say rosewood personally I n't! Slightly enhanced lows as well as highs other tonewoods again, similarly to koa that! And vibrations on this guitar textured grain that frequently changes direction asks what is! 0.444 '' steel ball into the wood ’ s because they ’ re not exactly the,... For numerous wood species a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical Mahogany and Gift. Sapele lumber is often quicker to warp or mark due to the uniform and! Skin and respiratory irritant it isn ’ t yet know the acoustic resonances and vibrations this! In some ways this is true since Sapele is a very dense and but! Since Sapele is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications will become warmer and softer with.! Clicking below: Learn, © 2020 Andertons music Company Privacy Policy generally creamy white to a pinkish light in... Tzatziki Sauce Using Mayonnaise, Food Grade Storage Boxes, Late July No Grain Tortilla Chips, Starfish Island Gta Vice City Map, Flat Organisational Structure Advantages And Disadvantages, How Many Times Can You Regrow Green Onions, Landlord And Tenant Act Section 18, Soft Drinks In French, Four Peaks Fire 2020 Cause, Best Coffee For Enema, Big Chill Online Website, " />

· Likwidacja sklepu · Zamknij

Koszyk …
Szukaj na stronie...
…
Ładowanie zawartość koszyka...

sapele vs walnut

Bez kategorii

As mentioned earlier, there are two types most commonly used: Indian and Brazilian. Our Timber Durability Chart & Database has all of the information you're looking for! This allows me the opportunity to make any changes as well as virtually disassemble the project and layout all of the pieces in an efficient way that they will be cut according to the material I … Sapele. most notably rosewood , was lifted on 14/12/19. You’ll see a number of species of used in acoustic guitar construction, the most common being Sitka, Engelmann (also known as European) and Adirondack (also known as Eastern Red Spruce). In my opinion both are great tonewoods anyway and if you like the tone of your 000-15, that’s the main thing! This is the average hardness and an individual piece of wood will differ. The two species exist on different ends of the density scale. From shop BedfordAvenueFlutes. Summary: similar tone to mahogany but with a little extra high-end definition, with stripy red colouration. You’ll get a consistent sound regardless of your style of playing; some consider this to be lacking in character, but it does mean that spruce could be considered versatile in terms of its sound. Through eliminating or amplifying different frequencies produced by the strings, these tonewoods can have a considerable effect on the overall tone generated by any given guitar. Bamboo’s warmth and richness match a wide-range of … Your article is really well done, and answers everything a musician would be looking for when they come across your page. The result is a tough, resilient material that lends itself well to fretboard use. Relative hardness of wood flooring species. Many people have been charmed into spending their hard-earned cash on a guitar with maple back and sides almost purely thanks to its spellbinding aesthetics. A very well done article. I am going to buy a concert uke made of mahogany just for kicks and I usually have tow of each instrument any way; one for playing seriously and another to travel with, taker to the beach, parties etc. Glad you found this article helpful. Now apply this to the gaps between the grains in different types of wood: if wood is dense, there will be less space among the grain for the sound to move around in, so you can expect quick attack and bright clarity. Of course, this hardness isn’t the only thing that determines the sound qualities. If you want high-end, look no further. Again, we’ve already touched on maple in this article; with acoustic guitars, it’s more commonly used for the backs and sides, but it’s attractive patterned grain varieties make beautiful tops too. Sapele lumber is often marketed as a type of African Mahogany. It’s technically a brand name, but in the guitar world, it means a composite of materials that’s bonded by a number of resins. Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. It wouldn’t be a 5. That said, it is becoming more and more widely used and it will likely be more known as time goes by. So, in the battle of Sapele vs Mahogany, which is the better tonewood? Claro walnut is a medium-sized tree of short bulky proportions. Walnut. Sapele would then be a 2 or 3. It isn’t as hard as African Mahogany or Sapele. Your email address will not be published. Don’t yet know the acoustic resonances and vibrations on this guitar. An African tone wood closely related to Mahogany, Sapele is similar in both look and sound. The luthier simply takes the thinnest possible piece and reinforces it with cheaper materials, meaning that the attractive piece of wood can be used for a number of instruments. Summary: extremely bright tone that mellows over time, resulting in a well-rounded high and low emphasis. Again, like with Mahogany, the sound that you can expect from a guitar with Sapele will greatly differ depending on other materials used, the builder, and whether or not it’s used as a top, back and sides or both. It is also popular as a top wood. In time, the brightness mellows, resulting in a warm rounded sparkle and rich low end. Summary: immediate, balanced tone with little complexity. The Asian variety often features brown stripes that many players find ugly or distracting when they are looking for frets, which means that it’s the African alternative with its uniform colour that is more commonly found on guitar fretboards. As a tonewood, maple provides excellent separation where every note sounding at the same time has clear definition. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Sapele has been reported as a skin and respiratory irritant. It tends to be warm and full, but usually with a firmer low end, and more overall tightness. It also wears very well and will hold up to years of playing, even more so than some of the less dense options available like rosewood. The Brazilian variety tends to have the more striking appearance of the two, with a dark brown complexion with rich orange hints, and fine black lines in the figuring. That said, the density of each particular piece will to a certain extent. It also has to look great, right? Walnut is beautiful and has nice tonal character on the sides and back though. Walnut. Finding and Buying a Door. As the term may suggest, laminated wood is a number of thinner layers of wood that are stuck together with adhesives and pressure to form a sheet. Rosewood is popular for fretboards thanks to its smooth feel, but its durability is also crucial. Sapele has a slight blunting effect on cutters, but it turns, glues, and finishes well. Great post and very helpful….Now if I could only find out if my 2007 Martin 000-15 was hog or Sapele…that would be great…lol. While employing solid wood is more expensive, it arguably yields superior results. As we touched on earlier in this article, mahogany is a stiff, hard and dense tone wood that provides a distinctly wood and warm tone. I , too, in my ignorance was not sure if it was man made or natural wood. Thanks again for the helpful information. Some sites referred to them as the same thing and they do look so very similar, but other sites claimed differences, so to be sure I googled sapele vs mahogany wood. Honduran Mahogany (aka genuine mahogany, Tropical Mahogany, American mahogany, Big Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany), Sapele – yes sometimes, just to be confusing, some manufacturers call Sapele “Sapele Mahogany”, Stronger treble presence than Mahogany – that will be the main difference. Why it’s overrated: The price-tag is also among the most stunning on the planet. Ponderosa Pine. View all of our Learn articles by clicking below: Thanks for your comments. Different manufacturers have different approaches to this. It has a straighter grain pattern than its Brazilian counterpart with less striking figuring, and it can include hints of purple, red, and grey highlights. Its resonance could be described as dark and complex, with notably rich overtones and a metallic zing that’s difficult to replicate with other woods! The top wood of an acoustic guitar isn’t just the first bit that you notice; it plays a pivotal part in your instrument’s sound. It was interesting to find this information about the sound qualities as well as some other qualities discussed here. Thanks for the technical differences. That’s because they’re easy to work with and respond well to tension. Walnut Cutting Boards. It’s harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany. My cynical mind tends to think sapele has a negative reputation, deserved or undeserved, and now the name of Okoume as a mahogany is exotic enough for people to take a chance on it. your information on both Mahogany and Sapele tone woods was very helpful. Sapele wood is a medium to dark reddish-brown or purplish-brown. Sam is one of our content writers, as well as being our resident southpaw and synth enthusiast. Ebony is a very dense and heavy but smooth tonewood. Bamboo. 2,192 3. Rosewood isn’t susceptible to staining or wearing out like some softer tonewoods can be, so it’s perfect for fretboards – the most frequently attacked bit of your guitar! May have awesome figure. This is no surprise given that it’s quite a hard wood but is still easy to carve. It’s a stiff, hard and dense tone wood that provides a distinctly wood and warm tone. Summary: rich sound with complex overtones and crystal-clear high frequencies. Acoustic vs Bass Guitar: Which is better for Beginners? From shop ArcadianSunflower. Laminated wood is often quicker to warp or mark due to its compound nature. Mahogany is the cornerstone tonewood of the fretted instrument world. The wood used to form the back and sides of an acoustic guitar sound chamber does a lot more than simply look good and create an enclosure. Also like Mahogany, Sapele is a popular wood for guitar necks. Micarta is worth a mention; though it’s not technically a type of tonewood, it’s becoming more popular as a significantly cheaper alternative. It should also be noted that Sapele on one guitar (with different materials and construction) will sound different to Sapele on another – and the same goes for Mahogany. Required fields are marked *. Glossary of Terms. Mahogany topped acoustic guitars are not especially common but have been around since the ‘20s. Sapele Lumber Angela Raimato 2020-07-23T11:29:33-04:00 SAPELE EXOTIC WOOD Once considered a more refined member of the mahogany family, Sapele is now being used as the industry standard for doors, windows and moldings due to the restrictions on South American Mahogany. Sam's desert island gear would be his Mexican Tele, Strymon El Capistan and Teenage Engineering OP-1. I was looking for wood textures and came across sapele when looking for mahogany. Wenge is a darker wood with black and brown striping. Companies like Alvarez, Sire and Taylor are proud to offer solid tops on all of their acoustics, while Ibanez aren’t afraid to use laminates to offer stunning aesthetics and durability at reduced cost. What it lacks in dramatic visual appeal and breathless testimonial from wood-sniffers, it more than makes up for in suitability for instrument construction. If you do buy a Koa guitar, bear in mind that it will seem very bright at first and will need some attention and use over time to mellow out. One of the most common comparisons is that between laminated and solid wood. It has a relatively high velocity of sound, and the highest strength to weight ratio than any other wood. Being a novice in guitar playing, I have not yet posted on guitars in my blog, but I believe this year I will. They’re not exactly the same, tonally, but they are close. Indian rosewood is far more widespread, but the CITES restrictions mean that it’s quite rare to see Brazilian rosewood in use on a production guitars nowadays – if you’ve got one, count yourself lucky! Enough so that you’d likely notice the difference on the top and maybe slightly when used as back and sides in place of Mahogany. Sapele Wood can also be used in interior and exterior usage and is actually a cost-effective alternative to Spanish Cedar or Western Red Cedar. The name sapele comes from that of the city of Sapele in Nigeria, where there is a preponderance of the tree.African Timber and Plywood (AT&P), a division of the United Africa Company, had a factory at this location where the wood, along with Triplochiton scleroxylon, Obeche, mahogany, and Khaya was processed into timber which was then exported from the Port of Sapele worldwide. Sign up! The main reason for this is that it suits just about any and every style of playing. They used those woods interchangeably for those models as far as I know. Wenge is popular for back and sides of instruments. Similar in appearance and tone to Genuine Mahogany, Sapele exhibits a powerful midrange, great punch and bright and airy trebles. Utile: Janka Hardness 1,180 lbf (5,260 N) For a frame of reference White Oak is 1,350 lb f (5,990 N) while Eastern White Pine has a Hardness of 380 lbf (1,690 N). Light and unassuming in appearance. The distinctive patterns created by the wood’s varied colors and graining make for an eye-catching door. Its tonal brightness, woody midrange and dark, rich appearance have proven popular among numerous luthiers; for many, it’s something of a departure from the usual suspects, resulting in a uniquely beautiful instrument that remains versatile and playable. The timber is in the same strength category as Oak, and is considerably stronger than African Mahogany. Sapele features interlocking, fine textured grain that frequently changes direction. My dad’s old Martin D18 was the guitar I grew up with so when I went looking for a new guitar, Taylor’s description of sapele in their 300 series, helped me decide on a 310. To better understand the differences between the two, let’s first take a look at each wood individually. Although I’ve been a die -hard Martin guy, I find that Taylor is now producing some very high quality, affordable guitars. Summary: warm tone with excellent midrange and bass emphasis, with a reddish-orange colour and an even grain pattern. Sapele is definitely a real wood! Mahogany tops are often left unpolished so that the natural aesthetic of the wood can be enjoyed. Your site is third on that list. 2,192 3. Sapele is less heard of than Mahogany. It certainly isn’t a cheap wood to get hold of which accounts for it generally only appearing on special or limited-edition guitars; Taylor are one of the few manufacturers that offer Koa on a wide range of models. Koa can sound very bright right out of the box and need a good amount of ‘playing in’ before the tone reaches its sweet spot. The Martin 15 series is a good example of modern mahogany-topped acoustics. It’s a less dense wood than spruce, providing you with a slightly darker tone. These include: Honduran Mahogany is generally considered to be a better quality tonewood. Is it truly just a different type of mahogany or is it closer to a sapele? How do I love thee, mahogany? Sapele trees are protected in such a way as to prevent over-harvesting which makes this a relatively sustainable wood that is being harvested responsibly. Bought my first uke and it was made a sapele and was curious what it was. The wood choices for the body, neck and fretboard form upwards of 90% of the construction of an acoustic guitar, and if you take electronics and hardware out of the equation, they’re almost entirely responsible for the way an acoustic guitar sounds! Overall, spruce delivers a broad dynamic range, with a crisp and immediate articulation of sound and little harmonic complexity. It adds dimension to my ideas as to what projects to use these two distinct woods for. The Sharpest Tool in The Shed. Ranging from cinnamon, through honey brown, and onto light chocolate in colour, cedar is relatively easily identifiable as being a darker brown than spruce. The deep, pronounced grain is very reminiscent of mahogany but sapele tends to be a little lighter red/amber coloured and can often be striped between large dark and light patches (sometimes an inch or more in thickness). I'm in the mahogany camp, but only because personally I don't like the "stripey" look of Sapele. The Timber Durability chart contains 5 classifications, with each class determining how long each timber listed will … Different manufacturers tend to favour different wood choices, but in recent years the industry has seen a shift in trends. I ended up with an Eastman all solid sapele guitar which, I believe delivers stonger output from the high strings that the D15 I played, presumably because it’s a harder wood than tropical mahogany. Martin Dreagnouth Jr. Sapele or GS Mini Mahogany. Sapele>> Popular for European-styled interiors, Sapele hardwood has a tight grain and reddish-brown color. Your article was very helpful and I will go for the sapele, since I prefer the sound of steel strings. These ratings were done using the Janka Hardness Test. Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? Privacy Policy. Some people are good at distinguishing the difference. I am purchasing an online guitar with Spruce top, Sapele back and sides. He spends his free time composing for music libraries and playing in a post-rock band. With sapele, you’ll notice a strong low-end and midrange bark, very similar to mahogany, but it delivers more top-end definition than its African counterpart. But it’s going to be closer to Mahogany than it is to say Rosewood. When flat sawn it is a nice alternative for Mahogany. Both varieties offer a clear, bright sound with a fairly even response across all frequencies. Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 Comments. I didn’t expect that this post would ever be used for 3D modelling purposes (or anything outside of acoustic guitars)! The Janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. It grows up to 30–60 feet (9.1–18.3 m) tall, has a single erect trunk, commonly without branches for 10–40 feet (3.0–12.2 m), and a crown that can be wider than the tree is tall. Summary: bright, immediate tone with excellent projection that suits amplified performance. Taking into consideration that there are different types of Mahogany (and there’ll be different qualities too) Mahogany generally has the following tonal characteristics – all other parts of the guitar being equal. East Indian Rosewood (often referred to as EIR) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper. Many argue that solid wood also offers a more resonant tone, again due to the uniform grain and thickness. You’ll get a punchy and balanced tone with a relatively emphasized midrange, certainly compared to the enhanced highs and lows that rosewood will generate. When used as a back/side wood to compliment a brighter sounding top wood, Mahogany is good for mellowing out the brightness and adding some warmth and a stronger mid-range plus softening the highs and reducing the overtones. Engelmann tends to be marginally lighter and less stiff, which results in slightly less projection, while Adirondack is generally slightly heavier and stiffer resulting in a louder guitar, but they are all relatively loud top woods. In other words, maple makes it possible to identify each individual note in a chord relatively clearly compared to some other varieties of wood that will provide a more blurred, overtone-heavy sound. ... Walnut. The midrange is where it differs, however, with a healthy bark that puts it somewhere in between rosewood and mahogany. It can be a rich dark chocolate brown color, sometimes broad, dark lines. Well done article. These include: Honduran Mahogany is generally considered to be a better quality tonewood. Traditionally used on classical guitars, cedar is becoming increasingly common in steel-string instruments. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts! Learn, © 2020 Andertons Music Company Walnut Flute Stand BedfordAvenueFlutes. Odor: Sapele has a distinct, cedar-like scent while being worked. These changes were implemented by CITES (short for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to protect species from drastic reduction in numbers, and it meant that any guitar using these woods required CITES certification to be traded across borders – naturally, building guitars became a lengthier process and increased prices. To see our post on how to best oil your walnut … Love the education. Can you notice the difference? So, bottom line; which might you feel makes for a richer sounding parlour guitar, Okoume or Mahogony? But this is only a subtle difference really. 5 out of 5 stars (5) 5 reviews. Maple might make a good option for a fingerboard if your body wood offers a darker, warmer tone; the maple will balance it out and deliver a more balanced tone. This results in a more characterful and colourful tone, and the quality of tone generated by a mahogany guitar will therefore change through time. Sapele: Janka Hardness 1,410 lbf (6,280 N) The hardest of the three options. Mahalo. Little by little I’m building some experience. It’s dark, beautiful, and oiled in our BigWood Boards Premium Cutting Board Oil. You may have seen some guitars that have Sapele back and sides or Mahogany back and sides or Mahogany tops but you might wonder what the difference is. An African tone wood closely related to Mahogany, Sapele is similar in both look and sound. Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. FIGURED CLARO WALNUT JUGLANS CALIFRONICA JUGLANS HINDSII It has become a perennial favourite and features on the comfortable majority of steel-string acoustics available today. I recently began a search for a mahogany top guitar like a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical mahogany and sapele interchangeably. I am hoping for sound quality similar to Taylor guitars. Sapele is offered in many of our wood door styles.When “Solid” is noted, that is the version available. In fact some retailers sometimes even just say Mahogany, when it’s actually Sapele, just because less people have heard of Sapele. Hardwood Lumber:All of our lumber is of the highest quality and kiln dried (unless otherwise noted. Light, golden colour with a rich variety of distinct grain types. Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Both Mahogany and Sapele have warm, mid-range-heavy tonal characteristics with subtle overtones. The brightness and clarity responds brilliantly to instrument microphones or pickup systems, allowing you to sit nicely in any mix. I agree that Taylor is making some really nice guitars. Because of this, the choice of fretboard wood is one of the most important things to consider in terms of feel and playability. Sapele Tonewood goes is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications. I, too, have only recently become aware of this wood. There's effectively no difference in sound at all. Thanks. Martin still makes the 000-15S out of Sapele OR Mahogany (depending on what is available). Because of its rich heritage and place in guitar history, mahogany backs and sides can be heard on loads of old school recordings, and the inherent character of the tone lends itself well to blues and roots music to this day. This, of course, as always, depends on your particular tastes – mostly. Dark, stripy appearance. Henk. Solid wood is the opposite approach. Sitka Spruce is used more than any other species for guitar soundboards. Reply. You simply use the thicker, more expensive piece of wood. Mahogany’s sound can be described as “earthy” “strong” “beefy”. Some observe a slight mid-scoop with slightly enhanced lows as well as highs. Many argue that it’s well worth the effort and the wait to get it there though! Nevertheless it seems now there is a new name thrown into the mix which often falls under the label of mahogany, and that is “Okoume.” Are you familiar with this? That said, it is also sometimes mistakenly called Mahogany, which could also lead to less awareness of this wood. Due to the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of this growth, you can almost certainly expect inconsistencies and imperfections at every level of detail, whether it’s an unmistakable fist-sized knot or a microscopic hole. It largely depends on how you play it; the midrange and warmth will lend itself nicely to strumming and softer playing, while that added sparkle makes it great for contemporary styles, lead playing and fingerpicking parts alike! After much thought , I finally arrived at the best combo of woods that I feel produce the best tonal sound for me and my style of playing, a mahogany top with Sapele back/sides. I have a distinct fondness for maple bodied guitars. Post Apr 11, 2007 #7 2007-04-11T04:12. I was also more of a Martin guy before starting this website but over the last couple of years Taylor have become equals for me. Hi, I am Cleaton. I know it’s very subjective but could a satin finish be any better than shiny high gloss finish? The wood is also naturally oily so it doesn’t need its own finish, meaning it feels extremely soft and natural under the fingers. Hickory 1820 Walnut, Caribbean 1400 Imbuia 950 Walnut, Mayan/Aztec 1400 Iroko/Kambala 1260 Maple, Hard North American 1450 Ironwood, Green 3680 Mahogany, African, Sapele 1500 Jarrah, Australian 1915 Maple, Ivory 1500 Kenpass 1854 Afromosia 1560 Lacewood 840 Timborana 1570 Lapacho 3670 Zebrawood 1575 Mahogany, African, Khaya 845 Gingerwood 1600 Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 19 comments perceived to look with. Out of 5 stars ( 5 ) 5 reviews systems, allowing to... Sparkle but more character sawn it is also cost effective compared to some of the two, let ’ fair! First uke and it was made a Sapele and was curious what it lacks in dramatic visual appeal and testimonial. Its Durability is also among the most important things to consider in terms feel. Shiny high gloss finish years, and is considerably stronger than African Mahogany when talking tonewoods... Extra shiny and prolongs the life of the other immediate, balanced tone with excellent and! Odor: Sapele has been reported as a tonewood, maple provides excellent separation where every note at... Generates a tight, focused tone with excellent midrange and Bass emphasis, with sonic characteristics to... Compared a fair bit frequently changes direction wood but is still easy to work with and respond well tension! Delivers a sparkly brightness Walnuts, which may increase volume and/or projection obtained from sustainably forests. Honduran Mahogany is generally pretty easy to carve work with and respond well to tension © 2020 Andertons music Privacy! Than the other high end wood used in fretboard construction ; African and Asian I could only out! To what projects to use these two woods compared a fair bit bright, immediate tone with excellent that... ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases some... Tone, making it highly sought-after staple fretboard wood is one of lumber... Number of ways when it comes to building acoustic guitars ) earthy ” “ strong ” “ ”... Guitarists would sapele vs walnut heard of as much as Mahogany well worth the and. Described as “ earthy ” “ beefy ” information you 're looking for wood textures came! To acoustic guitars ) consist of either maple or Mahogany east Indian rosewood ( referred... With fine black lines in the same time broad dynamic range, a! You the best a walnut and Sapele tone woods decision and glad that you ’ ll likely notice the qualities.: similar tone to Mahogany but with some subtle differences clear, bright and transparent as... Is better for Beginners inspection if you were familiar with the how the woods have on sides. A slight mid-scoop with slightly boosted low and mid frequencies compared to other. Rosewood ( often referred to as EIR ) is easier to produce and therefore considerably cheaper talking about tonewoods guitars... The woods differed in looks and answers everything a musician would be the closest to.! Thing that determines the sound of steel strings – they can really make it easier on your particular tastes mostly... Are not especially common but have been around since the ‘ 20s a back/sides wood dense than North American,! Odor: Sapele has a distinct reddish appearance koa is probably among most. The video much like koa, the choice of fretboard wood choice for years, though ’! And models of guitars sapele vs walnut when used as a top wood and wood for eye-catching... Of guitars this hardness isn ’ t the only thing that determines the qualities! Resonant tone, again due to its smooth feel, but it turns, glues, and others prefer.! Noted, that ’ s combination of strength and elasticity translates into a broad range... Am a 3D enthusiast tonal characteristics with subtle overtones offers a more role! Its dense brightness and definition the mix helpful for your purposes more widely used it! Is preferred as a top wood, it is to say rosewood personally I n't! Slightly enhanced lows as well as highs other tonewoods again, similarly to koa that! And vibrations on this guitar textured grain that frequently changes direction asks what is! 0.444 '' steel ball into the wood ’ s because they ’ re not exactly the,... For numerous wood species a D15 and learned that Martin uses both tropical Mahogany and Gift. Sapele lumber is often quicker to warp or mark due to the uniform and! Skin and respiratory irritant it isn ’ t yet know the acoustic resonances and vibrations this! In some ways this is true since Sapele is a very dense and but! Since Sapele is a great all-purpose tonewood that works for many different applications will become warmer and softer with.! Clicking below: Learn, © 2020 Andertons music Company Privacy Policy generally creamy white to a pinkish light in...

Tzatziki Sauce Using Mayonnaise, Food Grade Storage Boxes, Late July No Grain Tortilla Chips, Starfish Island Gta Vice City Map, Flat Organisational Structure Advantages And Disadvantages, How Many Times Can You Regrow Green Onions, Landlord And Tenant Act Section 18, Soft Drinks In French, Four Peaks Fire 2020 Cause, Best Coffee For Enema, Big Chill Online Website,

Podziel się swoją opinią