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  #1  
Old 07-04-2013, 10:40 AM
leehop71 leehop71 is offline
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Default Learning Wood Tonal Differences

To broaden my knowledge, can someone explain to me the tonal differences between these solid back and side woods combined with a solid sitka spruce top:
Mahogany, Rosewood, Sapele, and Siris?

Thanks,
Jack
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  #2  
Old 07-04-2013, 10:54 AM
mmasters mmasters is offline
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Do an advanced search on dreamguitars and compare and contrast.
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Old 07-04-2013, 11:08 AM
scottishrogue scottishrogue is offline
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Cool Learning Tonal Differences

Below is a chart that does a pretty good job of identifying tonal differences by frequency response. Notice, for example, sapele compared to mahogany and you will understand why sapele is becoming the preferred tonewood over mahogany.

Glen

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Old 07-04-2013, 11:29 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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This is a splendid answer - and visually says it all.
Thanks
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Old 07-04-2013, 11:47 AM
Picking Moose Picking Moose is offline
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I believe there are 4 elements which, combined, determine the sound of the guitar.
Shape, size, woods and construction method.
Of these, woods is the least influential.
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Last edited by Picking Moose; 07-04-2013 at 03:14 PM. Reason: spelling correction
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Old 07-04-2013, 12:09 PM
ecguitar44 ecguitar44 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
This is a splendid answer - and visually says it all.
Thanks
It also shows the enormous amount that these woods overlap. Tone is a very complex beast and back/side wood plays only a partial role in defining how a guitar may sound.
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Old 07-04-2013, 12:35 PM
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rick-slo rick-slo is offline
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Yep, Taylor Guitar's tonewood chart is right on and a nice visual.
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Old 07-04-2013, 12:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Picking Moose View Post
I believe there are 4 elements which, combined, determine the sound of the guitar.
Shape, size, woods and construction method.
Of these, woods is the least influencial.
+1... and may I add to that string type and imho most of all; STYLE or TYPE of ATTACK. You can add more or less to the tone/volume and control thru your greatest effects pedal...your right hand!

eric
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Old 07-04-2013, 01:47 PM
leehop71 leehop71 is offline
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Where does Siris fall in the list?
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Old 07-04-2013, 03:17 PM
geordie geordie is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Picking Moose View Post
I believe there are 4 elements which, combined, determine the sound of the guitar.
Shape, size, woods and construction method.
Of these, woods is the least influencial.
you'll need to build half a dozen guitars - exactly the same except for the b/s and you might have a chance of answering your own question.

So it's Siris -
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforu...e#.UdXlGiJr1r0
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Old 07-04-2013, 03:29 PM
HJayK1 HJayK1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottishrogue View Post
Below is a chart that does a pretty good job of identifying tonal differences by frequency response. Notice, for example, sapele compared to mahogany and you will understand why sapele is becoming the preferred tonewood over mahogany.

Glen

The chart is interesting indeed. However, I'm not sure your conclusion about the Sapele/Mahogany comparison is obvious from the graph. To my eyes it shows that Sapele has a slightly wider frequency response, and Mahogany has an enhanced mid-range. Without more context I can't translate that into which is better or preferred.
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Old 07-04-2013, 04:56 PM
Dreadful Dreadful is offline
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Don't rely on the chart shown as anything conclusive. First of all, cocobolo is a variety of rosewood (Dalbergia Retusa), and my cocobolo CS D28-12 has the most powerful bass of all my guitars, and my second most powerful bass is a 12 fret dread in mahogany, which according to the chart does not have much of a low frequency range.

Its best just to play a lot of guitars and find out which is right for you. Tonal attributes and preferences are different with each set of ears.
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Old 07-04-2013, 05:16 PM
scottishrogue scottishrogue is offline
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Default Sapele or Mahogany?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HJayK1 View Post
The chart is interesting indeed. However, I'm not sure your conclusion about the Sapele/Mahogany comparison is obvious from the graph. To my eyes it shows that Sapele has a slightly wider frequency response, and Mahogany has an enhanced mid-range. Without more context I can't translate that into which is better or preferred.
You are correct, but guitar manufacturers are always looking for ways to save money, and sapele is more plentiful and less expensive, which may be the primary reason why guitar manufacturers are moving in that direction. The fact that it has a wider frequency response is just frosting on the cake. Honduran mahogany is becoming scarce, and the same is true for African mahogany, and because of this, it's becoming more expensive. Many people feel that mahogany has a slightly better look, but I have examples of both and they look almost identical.

Glen
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  #14  
Old 07-04-2013, 06:36 PM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Interesting... My Goodall in Cocobolo sounded a lot richer and more tonally complete than a Macassar ebony Goodall that I owned very briefly.
The chart would prove true to my experience in an example of similarly constructed guitars.
Nice chart!!
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  #15  
Old 07-04-2013, 06:41 PM
harmonics101 harmonics101 is offline
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That chart is useful but a GENERALIZATION.

Your ears will help you decide.

That's why you shouldn't want to LEARN the total differences, you need to APPRECIATE the differences.

There's no accounting for good taste though and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

Harmonics101
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