D03 Sapele/pickguard

[Taller]

Thank you all for such a warm welcome. When I bought my d03 I had a choice to make...buy the classic (no pick guard, S. American Moho.), or the Sapele Moho. w/ pickguard...I chose the classic, because i'm pretty sure S. Ame. Moho is better. Is there a difference (besides the look)? I didn't play the Sapele D03, but I did play the Taylor 214, which is also made of Sapele. Is there truth to the rumor that Genuine Moho is in short supply? Be GOOD  :rolleyes:

[Fstpicker]

Welcome to the LGF Taller!

Someone else has posted somewhere that as of July 1st, Larrivee is increasing the charge for geniune mahogany D-03's by $100 I believe. Can't remember where I saw this though.

Jeff

[Fstpicker]

Here is the post I saw on another thread by Jason from Notable Guitars:

Some builders feel there is a difference.  Jean prefers genuine South American Mahogany.  Unfortunately the cost has gone up to the point that Larrivee will be adding a $100 upcharge to all mahogany guitars on July 1st.  Larrivee could have switched to Sapele and kept the cost the same, but Jean wants to continue using mahogany.  I personally don't notice a huge difference, but then again I'm not that good!    J

Jeff

[Taller]

Thanks Jeff :GRN>

[btdvox]

I thought Sapele is africian mahogany

[Taller]

You could be right :TON>

[LawDogStrgsAttach]

Though the sound and look are similar, Sapele is not even in the same genus as true Mahogany.  Sapele can tend to have a nice "ribbon" grain to it, but I personlly (from owning both) find SA Mahogany to be superior in sound.  It sounds fuller and snappier.  Sapele lacks the "woodiness" of hog.  It sounds closer to Nato I think.  Yet, it is a good, lower cost alternative with hog becoming more scarce - and the nice grain is a plus.

So why not walnut as the luthier's choice to hog's scarcity?...hopefully it will catch on soon.

[ronmac]

I like walnut!