all mahogany vs. spruce/mahogany guitar

[ctkarslake]

Anyone here have anything to share about all mahogany guitars?  I'm most interested in what an all mahogany guitar would bring to the table vs. a spruce/mahogany combo on the same model.  All I've seem to have found is that the all mahogany would be "darker", which I interpret as more midrange.  Would an all "hog" be possibly overloaded with overtones as well?

[thedak]

All Mahagany won't be as loud as one with a spruce top.

[jalbert]

I had an all-mahogany 514. I shouldn't have let go of that guitar. It had a very sweet voice, and was noticeably quieter than its spruce counterparts.

[ataylor]

Taylor did a run of their "acoustic" series in all-mahogany last year if I remember correctly. They looked really nice, although I can't say I love the red stain Taylor often uses on their mahogany. I prefer a traditional brown coloring or even just the more gold natural color.

If you're looking for all-mahogany and not set on a Taylor, there are two awesome options above and below the price range you'd be looking at for a BTO or limited.

First is the Martin 15M series -- which I think is the best bang-for-the buck out there right now. I've heard nothing but good reviews and the couple I've played were awesome. They really nail that vintage look and sound and will do it for less than half the price of a Taylor.

Or, for a bit more cash, the Santa Cruz 1929 series (essentially a boutique homage to Martin's old 15/17 models) looks absolutely stunning.

That said, don't rule out a Taylor -- I bet you could make a stunning mahogany BTO with shaded edgebursts.

[Satsuki]

Makes sense that the spruce top would be louder because it's a softer less dense wood and would vibrate sooner and faster than the Mahogany top.

[ColinWright]

Can't speak to the spruce-top version, but I have one of the all-mahogany 514's (from 2005), and I love the sound.  It's not crazy loud, but it's thick, mellow, and really sweet sounding.

Full disclosure:  I only have two spruce-top guitars out of seven guitars in my study.  I kinda like my gitfiddles a little darker than most folks.  :-)

[Gary0319]

I have an all mahogany Custom GC with spruce CV bracing. It's not as loud as some spruce mahogany's I've had, but it more than makes up for it in a nice smooth tonal range. I'd not choose the all mahogany for gig work, but for my personal purposes it's great.

I like to say that spruce mahogany makes me want to drink beer, eat peanuts, and throw the shells on the floor; my all mahogany is for drinking a good red wine in silk pajamas.

http://www.nebelphotography.com/images/TaylorGCcustom/layside1.jpg

http://www.nebelphotography.com/images/TaylorGCcustom/neckdetail.jpg

http://www.nebelphotography.com/images/TaylorGCcustom/headstock2.jpg

[ColinWright]

Great description...  I doggone near spit my beer out through my nose!  Good thing the peanuts were in the way... 

[ctkarslake]

Thanks for your impression guys.  That's one sweet looking hog you got there Gary, WOW! Thanks for sharing, I hadn't seen those until now.  Hmmmm......

Seems the only downside is less volume?  Gotta love the look and your descriptions of the tone.

[redsnapper]

Beautiful guitar man. Merlot or Syrah ?

[darylcrisp]

my 2c.

i've played a bunch of the all mahogany Martins, the Santa Cruz 00 series, and a few all mahogany Taylors(512/514/and some of the limiteds from last year).
i own an all mahogany weissenborn and that was built that way on purpose-using the deep dropped tunings, the all mahogany build is very smooth. I didn't want extreme overtones with this instrument and its exactly how i wanted it to sound.

they are more quiet than their spruce top counterparts-other than the Santa Cruz.
The taylors are the most quiet in projection. All have a sweet tone, the Martins being on the dry side. the santa cruz has an outstanding tone that is extremely versatile.

here's a nice review of the santa cruz with video:
http://acousticguitarmagazine.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=24813

d

[sstaylor58]

I have an 2005 512ce-L10 (all hog), and it has fantastic tone across the full range.  I also have a 2009 spruce / madi 710ce-ltd.  They are both great guitars in their own right, the 710 is louder, but the 512 has better tone imho.  For what it is worth, I seem to reach for the 512 most of the time when I want to play.  It just has "it" - that something that makes it hard to put down.  I also wonder what a 514 all hog would sound like, probably even better depth and range.  I know I will not be letting my 512 go - it will be passed down to my children for sure!  My 2 cents...

[ColinWright]

I have an 2005 512ce-L10 (all hog), and it has fantastic tone across the full range.  I also have a 2009 spruce / madi 710ce-ltd.  They are both great guitars in their own right, the 710 is louder, but the 512 has better tone imho.  For what it is worth, I seem to reach for the 512 most of the time when I want to play.  It just has "it" - that something that makes it hard to put down.  I also wonder what a 514 all hog would sound like, probably even better depth and range.  I know I will not be letting my 512 go - it will be passed down to my children for sure!  My 2 cents...

I picked up a well-taken-care-of 514ce-L10 last year, and it's an amazing instrument.  Deep, rich tones, with incredible sustain.  Definitely a unique instrument, and one that, like your 512ce-L10, I won't let go!

[Gary0319]

Beautiful guitar man. Merlot or Syrah ?

Most definately, Merlot

[ColinWright]

20-year old Taylor Fladgate tawny port for me!