Mahogany
Mahogany is a porous, but strong wood which is easy to machine and
finish. It has a spiraling and interlocking grain pattern which makes it a
very stable wood. Honduran Mahogany is the favorite choice of instrument
builders, but is very hard to find. African and Spanish mahoganies are often
used as a replacement for Honduran Mahogany.
Light to moderately heavy wood with smooth attack and rich singing
sustain [when used as body material]. When it's very heavy, the wood losses
the warm round attributes. The Quicksilver is a classic example
of a mahogany body capped with a maple top. At least on the lower cost
models.
Mahogany; Curly
From Africa
Color is yellow to reddish-brown. Grain is interlocked with a stripe or roey
figure. Texture is typically medium to coarse, with a natural luster The
timber is reported to polish to yield and excellent finish. African mahogany
is reported to take stains well.
Uses include boat building, cabinetmaking, decorative veneer, furniture.
Specific Gravity is .44 (medium density). Requires sharp tools.
Mahogany; Honduran
Fender uses the Honduran variety on their set-neck series [as body
material]; provides a moderate to heavy weight (body weight at least 5 lb.)
with a warm, full sound and good sustain; used in conjunction with a maple
top to add brightness.
Swietenia macrophylla, from the Family Meliaceae it grows from Southern
Mexico southward to Colombia, Venezuela, and parts of the upper Amazon and
its tributaries in Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Plantations have been
established within its natural range and elsewhere. Honduran Mahogany is
reddish, pinkish, salmon colored, or yellowish when fresh; deepening with
age to deep rich red or brown. Texture rather fine to coarse; grain straight
to roey, wavy, or curly, often with an attractive figure. Basic specific
gravity 0.40 to 0.68 averaging around 0.60. The wood can be air-seasoned and
kiln-dried easily without appreciable warping or checking. Movement after
manufacture is rated as small. Very easy to work with hand and machine
tools, Easy to finish and takes an excellent polish.
Long used in fine furniture and cabinet making, interior trim, paneling,
fancy veneers, boat building, pattern making, turnery, and carving. Often
called the queen of woods because of its working properties. It is the most
common timber used in acoustic guitars for their sides, backs, and necks.
Medium weight and resonant, we use this timber for out body wings.
Nice and lightweight, this wood is good for bodies, laminates and necks.
We use Honduran Mahogany, This is a fine wood
with good musical properties, the tone is warm and full with good sustain.
Weight-wise, mahogany is mid to heavy with a Strat body averaging 5 lbs. or
more. The grain is easy to fill although not particularly good looking for
clear finishes.
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