?? What Wood Why

[wyodeb]

My parlor is sitka/koa. Why, because it was available at a very good price at the right time. Would I trade it, never! It can sound bluesy, or ring like a bell. I'm not sure I would want mahogany in such a small size. Possibly too bright. I'm also afraid rosewood in such a small size might be muddy. The koa seems just right.

I have an OM-09 Koa that I have a love/hate relationship with. Sometimes I really like the sound. Other times it seems thin in the bass and too jangly for my taste. I would love to trade it for a mahogany/mahogany OM someday. I've heard that the mahogany top darkens the sound somewhat. I played a 412M Taylor once (all mahogany), that I fell in love with. Didn't bring it home because the asking price was ridiculous.

My current favorite is the sitka/maple 12-fret OM. It doesn't mind being strummed hard, fingerpicked hard, or delicately. Something about the sound just resonates with me. I love the deep bass, and the nice clear mid tones.

Deb

Oops. I almost forgot the spruce/walnut Yairi dread. I don't play it much anymore, but the tone is rich and sweet. Makes me wonder what a walnut L would sound like...

[laughingskunk]

Well I dont actually have a wood guitar now. My dread is composite- I believe carbon fiber. Not sure what to compare it to just a well balanced tone(a real bell like clearness to it) my couch guitar is HPL from Martin. Still amazed that the LXM can have that Martin sound, actually think is heavier bass than my CA. Larrivees I'm leaning towards are mahogany(maybe even mahogany topped) in smaller body size. Might check out some koa if available or blackwood. Am hoping for a warm woodsy sound to do my folk boy thing on.

[flaggerphil]

My wood of choice is mahogany.  I play my 510 and Forum a LOT.  Right behind them is maple and myrtlewood.  I play my 600 and Pelican a LOT.  I just got my H & D DS in walnut and am having a hard time taking to it.  I'm not sure why, because I played it at the factory and loved it.  I'm going to have the action lowered and see what happens...I'm hoping it's a playability issue and not a sound issue.

Mahogany is my main wood, though.

[sacredground]

I have a hard time getting excited about koa. Blackwood "koa on steroids" is probably the best balanced guitar I've heard with a sitka top. For fingerstyle I like rosewood and cedar: tons of immediacy and overtones in your face. German spruce has been a favorite for years because of its warmth.

I continue to believe that no one does mahogany and sitka like Larrivee. The L05, OM 50, and SD 50 are prime examples I've had the pleasure to play.

Brazilian gets a lot of hype. Some people can hear a HUGE difference compared to other rosewoods. I definitely hear the warmth and projection and bell-like sustain.

It's a lot like ice cream. Each person has a favorite flavor, and everyone is glad someone invented it.  ;)  

[TBM]

Wood is good.  Different woods make for different goods...   :blink:


On the acoustic side, I own or have owned Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood, Cocobolo, Mahogany, Koa, Maple, Ovangkol, and Sycamore.  Of these, I would have to say my personal favorites are Cocobolo, Mahogany, and Maple.  All for different reasons...

Cocobolo -- What first drew me to this wood was the looks.  I love the distinct color and grain.  However, the rich tone has made me keep it around.  I was once told by a famous builder that he ranks Cocobolo just below Brazilian Rosewood in tone quality.  I would agree with him.  I own two Cocobolo guitars (One with Sitka, the other with Engelmann), and neither one of them will see another home.  Real keepers.  Rich and vibrant, but not muddy at all.  Great overtones.  Fantastic instruments...

Mahogany -- I don't think you can go wrong with a Mahogany guitar.  It's tone is so balanced -- Crisp, but not piercing;  Great lows but not boomy at all.  Nice balanced mids -- Really a perfect "Do It All" kind of tonewood.  A friend of mine has an old D-02 that is an absolute tone monster!!!  The first "good" guitar I bought after getting back into playing was a Taylor 514ce.  Traded it in for a Taylor LKSM-6 (More Mahogany).  I'm still kicking myself for selling them.  I'm sure another Mahogany monster will be in the collection in the near future!!!

Maple -- I love Maple for it's dry, pure, punchy tone.  Crisp and biting, with minimal overtones.  I currently have a Maple 12-string in the collection that is a regular player.  I think Maple is the best wood, bar nonoe, for 12'ers.  I also own a Maple dread that I'm not overly pleased with, but I think there are other issues involved with that guitar...

A couple side notes...

Koa -- Like someone else said, Koa is real hit-or-miss.  I've played plenty of Koa guitars that were absolutely stunning to look at, but sounded like a cardboard box.  Then again, others had the voice of angels.  Koa is one wood I strongly recommend you play before you buy...

Brazilian RW -- W-a-a-a-a-y over-rated IMO, especially for the price.  There are plenty of woods out there that sound as good, if not better, than BRW at a fraction of the price.  Especially now when all that's left is stump wood (Unless you're getting into the builder's private stash...).  Older BRW guitars sound great and are a great collector's item.  Personally, I can't justify the price on new pieces...

Top woods vary depending on what you want out of them.  I can see valid arguments for most of the ones used today -- Sitka, Engelmann, Adirondack, Cedar, and Redwood.  They all have different voices and, when paired up with the right body wood, all sound fantastic!!!

[brimc76]

I have a D05 and love the tone of the mahogany. When I started looking for a new guitar I had in mind a Pro Series Simon and Patrick Flame Maple. I had tried one of these in another store and really liked the brightness of it's sound. It was on hold for someone else though so I kept looking and ran across the Larrivee. I still love the look and sound of maple and I feel the same about mahogany. Like Rob said, one's not better than the other - just different.

[GusHustler]

When I started playing I had somewhat of a bias, being as the people I would play with swore by Rosewood.  As I started to find my own sound I realized I didn't need the projection that the RW had to offer, I was more interested in a rich and soulful sound, so in a reasonable market, that lead me to MT guitars, and I realized that Larrivee used some great woods.  Since I'm playing fingerstyle for a small audience (a lot of times, only myself) I wanted something that was beautiful just to me.  I bet as I look even closer at more exotic woods, I'll find something that suits even better.

So for now, another vote for Mahogany

[unclrob]

I want to thank all that responded to this post.Hopefully a search will now be made easier for people.Thanks again gang. :)  

[tubeornot2b]

My favorite to play at home and practice with is the PAOM03E. The 12fret magic compliments the maple body and sitka top perfectly. It is also the easiest to play.

I also have a maple jumbo (J60). Everyone ethat plays it loves the sound. The blues players particularly. I was not that crazy about the sound while I was playing it until I put an ivory saddle on it. Though I loved the sound from the other side (when someone else was playing it.)Thanks to those that spoke highly of Bob Colosi's products here. The saddle made a huge difference on it.

I use the D05 when I go to the local bluegrass jams. It just seems to fit the environment there better.  

[Pjmsj21]

Currently playing a rosewood/sitka L.  If I were to add something, other than a travel/beater guitar, it would be rosewood or mahogany and cedar combination.  I think a cedar top would offer a great contrast to the very crisp Larrivee sound. Unfortunately it doesnt sound as if Larrivee will quench my thirst for this combination, but boy what a geat forum guitar.

Pat Mc

[Caleb]

my personal favorite is the mystery wood that's used to build esteban guitars. it sounds like NOTHING else out there!
;)  

[jcbuggs]

Hey Pat,

Check out the Larrivee L-05 mahogany/cedar at Cotton Music. Sweet.

http://www.cottenmusic.com/inventory.html

About 3/4 way down the page.