Solid mahogany guitar experience

[musical123]

I'm used to spruce tops with rosewood (812, Larrivee OM-40r, rosewood parlor, and one d03 with mahogany back and sides so wondering how an all Mahogany may sound compared to the above spruce topped guitars (I only play unplugged).



Thanks for any info

[Rockysdad]

It's, *different strokes for different folks*.

You really need to try *some*, we all hear differently, have different tastes.

I've got an all mahogany Guild 12 string that's got a great sound.(really wanting a Larrivée spruce/rosewood 12 string L body as well)

[B0WIE]

It can vary, depending how the top is thinned and braced. I have a mahogany topped 00 that is very bright and the only real difference vs spruce is that the midrange is more sparkly vs the dry sound of spruce. I've also played some all mahogany guitars that were dark without much sustain. Typically, you'll find a hog-top guitar to sound a little less bright in the highs, while having more richness and complexity in the midrange. If you're just strumming, you might prefer spruce as spruce is good at not sounding too busy (the "dry" character I refer to). But, when you get into single notes, there's something special about having a guitar with a more harmonically rich midrange. It's a complexity that allows a more vocal quality on lead lines, arpeggios, etc. A "warm" tone that sort of speaks directly to you. It's something I didn't appreciate for years but now I can't get enough of it.

[teh]

Bowie gave you a detailed answer to your question about differences so I'll just include my thoughts and playing experience.

Some people love mahogany tops, some don't and some are ambivalent about them. I have two spruce over rosewood Martins (D-35 and OM-35) and two all mahogany Larrivees including an LV-03 12 string and a 00-24 six string. The stock versions of my two Larrivees come with a spruce top but I specifically ordered both with a mahogany top. Here's why:

I love spruce tops but when I ordered my 12 string back in November 2005, I correctly guessed that a mahogany top would be a little less bright than spruce.  At the same time, I thought it would give me the full, throaty sound I wanted from a 12 string and I was right. Before buying, I tried out Guild, Taylor, Martin, Yamaha as well as Larrivee 12 string models. In the end Larrivee was the clear winner.

For years, I thought about buying a smaller bodied, all mahogany six string but I always got sidetracked. Back in 2021, John Larrivee worked with this forum to develop the Forum VI which ended up being a 12 fret LS body with a moonwood spruce top and American Walnut back and sides. That was too good to pass up so I ordered one and added the option of a Venetian cutaway to match my 12 string LV. I thought to myself; Good, I'm done. Now I have everything I need or want. Then in 2024, Larrivee introduced the 24 series which was a guitar with a short scale neck, an Adirondack spruce top and mahogany back and sides in a variety of body shapes including a 00. Finally, I asked if they would build me one with a mahogany top and they said, "We sure will." In two weeks, my 00-24 and I will celebrate our one year anniversary together.Two additional observations.

First, while I mostly play unplugged, I added a factory installed Anthem "no-cut" dual source pickup to my Forum VI. I liked it so much, I added an Anthem SL pickup to my 00-24. These two pickups really make both of these guitars shine when run through a Fishman Loudbox Mini acoustic amp.

Second, I upgraded both of these guitars with the archtop case and bridge pins available on Larrivee's website. My Larrivee guitars fit in these archtop cases like a glove. Well worth the $100 upcharge.

I hope this helps.

[StringPicker6]

Several times I've played one of the USA made Guild M-20's, and that is a sweet intimate all mahogany guitar. Very warm and soft tone. Short scale length might add to the warm tone.

[musical123]

Thanks to everyone's inputs.

Bowie,

Your reply, as usual, is very detailed and informative, thanks.

I guess I need to go find some and give them a strum :-)

[StringPicker6]

If they didn't sound good, they wouldn't make 'em. 

[William2]

I am also considering a mahogany top instrument. I think the new Martin 17 series instruments sound better than the 15 series. I don't know if it is the dovetail neck join or the scalloped bracing or both. But if I get one it will be a Larrivee. I just have to decide on the model (L or D) and the bracing system. Here are two Larrivee videos featuring the two bracing systems on a hog top instrument. If I had to decide based on these videos I would take the non-scalloped system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvDee2u2vEQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bC8Wx0TC7w

[Silence Dogood]

I've never played an all-hog guitar that was loud enough.  Doesn't mean there aren't any, but I've just not seen one. 

[William2]

I've never played an all-hog guitar that was loud enough.  Doesn't mean there aren't any, but I've just not seen one. 

All I can say is they sound loud enough for me having owned two Martin D-15 and a 000-15SM. The dreadnought is the way I would go for volume. While it isn't as loud as a spruce top, for fingerstyle it is perfect. The new Martin 17 series are louder than the 15 series based on what I have heard. Is it the scalloped bracing?

[Gill]

My ten year old Larry all-Hog OM-03 is one of the favourite guitars in my collection, to my ears, it has a woody,rich sound,with a lot of sustain,it's very responsive to light fingerpicking,but equally gives it out when digging in,being a 12-fret model, it's also very comfortable to play, I like playing it,but sometimes wish for these extra two frets,can't have it all ways though.

[StringPicker6]

My ten year old Larry all-Hog OM-03 is one of the favourite guitars in my collection, to my ears, it has a woody,rich sound,with a lot of sustain,it's very responsive to light fingerpicking,but equally gives it out when digging in,being a 12-fret model, it's also very comfortable to play, I like playing it,but sometimes wish for these extra two frets,can't have it all ways though.

Are you sure your guitar isn't the 000-03?

[Gill]

Are you sure your guitar isn't the

Are you sure your guitar isn't the 000-03?
[/quote

Pretty sure it's an OM size the last time I looked- I've got three other Larry OM's,the Hog one is the only 12-fret I own,if I could figure out how to put photos up here,I would show it.

[StringPicker6]

Very cool.  I'm guessing it's the OM body built with a 12 fret neck.  I love how Larrivee can make custom builds like that.

[teh]

Over the past 21 years, I've been satisfied with my five Larrivee acquisitions and all of them are keepers. Having said that, if I was unsure about ordering a mahogany topped guitar, I would either wait until I had a chance to play one or stick with a spruce top.

FWIW, Larrivee offers their short scale 24 series in both the 000 (12 fret) and OM (14 fret) body shapes. They also offer an OMV-24 cutaway for a $300 upcharge which would allow easy access the whole way up the neck.  When I asked for a 00-24 with a mahogany top instead of Adirondack Spruce, I only had to wait about 18 weeks until the guitar was built and shipped. This guitar is a fingerpicker's dream that I predict will only improve with age.

The mahogany topped 00-24 is plenty loud enough unplugged. Is that because of the scalloped bracing, the body shape, the satin finish, the 12 fret short scale neck, the mahogany top and body or a combination of some or all of these features? Your guess is as good as mine. If I need more volume or note clarity, I can always plug in.

[Queequeg]

I've never played an all-hog guitar that was loud enough.  Doesn't mean there aren't any, but I've just not seen one. 

How loud does it have to be?
Are you partnering with a banjo player?

[Silence Dogood]

How loud does it have to be?
Are you partnering with a banjo player?

I like 'em loud. 

[Queequeg]

I like 'em loud. 

OK. I hear ya.

[William2]

LOL!!! The Martin D-15 is definitely loud enough.  My question about a hog guitar is that you always hear it has a compressed even sound without a lot of overtones. that being the case, do you need a non-scalloped instrument or is this type of bracing overkill?

[Rockysdad]

LOL!!! The Martin D-15 is definitely loud enough.  My question about a hog guitar is that you always hear it has a compressed even sound without a lot of overtones. that being the case, do you need a non-scalloped instrument or is this type of bracing overkill?

Whichever sounds best to *you*, is the answer.

Too many factors, which builder, which piece of wood, etc., each guitar has it's own thing going on.

What is liked by one person is not necessarily liked by another.