ideas for mahogany topped guitar

[MartinMan1990]

I have discovered my preference for mahogany topped guitars and would like to hear what others suggest test driving for a future purchase. Being that this wood configuration is not as popular as say a spruce, I am only familiar with Taylor's 522 12 fret and Martin's 000-15sm, both of which I really enjoyed and both extremely different in both tone and feel. I know that I want a smaller bodied instrument, preferably being 00 or 000 size. I also know that I would prefer something with 1 3/4 nut width and I am leaning towards a 12 fret although a 14 fret is not completely out of the window. I primarily fingerpick and never use a pick. I will be selling a guitar or two to help fund this but I would like to keep the price below $2500. I would really appreciate any ideas as I have not had the opportunity to play a wide variety. Thanks for the help in advance.

[Swamp Yankee]

Taylor 322. Hog top, Tasmanian blackwood b&s, 12 frets, 1.75" nut. ...price below your point
Waterloo WL-12MH... all hog, 12 fret, 1.75 nut, price just over 2k

[fazool]

I love the growl of an all mahogany guitar.

While Taylor is my overall preferred guitar brand, I dont think they pull off that same tone well enough. I think the reputed Taylor brightness counteracts some of that.

Martin 15-series are the masters of this. I've had several and they've all sounded great.

I was searching for a cheap porch guitar (one I would not worry about leaving on my patio all afternoon etc.)

I came across an Ibanez Artwood AC240. It is the exact dimensions as my main Taylor so that's very familiar to me. Short scale, 1-3/4 nut, small body.

Now, it's not perfect - I mean it cost me $180 in mint used condition....so its crazy cheap.

But it's simply a great, great mahogany guitar. I can't fathom the performance-price ratio on this thing.

[Kerbie]

My favorites! After a 00-15M, my next all-Mahogany was a Collings C-10 Mh, Santa Cruz 1929 00, H&D custom 00 and a Collings 01Mh. I imagine if used, those last 4 could be had around your price point.

The 1929 00 was superb and I loved it, but the neck is chunkier. So, my two favorites have become the H&D 00 and Collings 01Mh. I've also played the Collings 001Mh... another excellent guitar. The SCGC 1929 000 and Collings 0001Mh would serve your purpose beautifully.

You've got a lot of choices... I'd play as many as you can. Good luck!

[Quebec Picker]

I love my Guild OM-120. Well below your budget, and a sweet little instrument.

[JSDenvir]

One more vote for the Santa Cruz 1929 series, if you can find one used.

Steve

[Luckymud]

See my NGD on the 522ce 12 fret today.

If you're familiar with that guitar but are looking at different options, definitely check out the 322 12 fret. It's an entirely different voice from the 522. It's got more volume and a lot more top end. Both guitars are awesome, but definitely different.

[Kupuna50]

I second the love for Mah tops!
There is a Collings D1M @ Cotten Music in Nashville that is awesome.
The crisp yet mellow tone of individual notes is quite fetching.

[MartinMan1990]

Thank you for all your responses so far. I would love for a SCGC 1929 but even used I think that will be above my price point-it is nice to dream however!

[247hoopsfan]

I don’t know if this one is still for sale, but if it is you should definitely check it out. Larrivees are a great value. This one checks all your boxes: all mahogany, 12 fret, 1 3/4 nut, small body and way under your budget.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/ind...52014.msg0#new

[Nctom]

The Larrivee would be a good choice, although I have found Larrivee mahogany-topped guitars to be a little "quiet".

I recently played a couple of Waterloo WL-12 Mh's and , boy howdy, I want one of them!

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Nctom

The Larrivee would be a good choice, although I have found Larrivee mahogany-topped guitars to be a little "quiet".

As a general rule, almost all hardwood-topped guitars tend to be a lot quieter than the same body configuration topped with spruce or cedar. There are some exceptions that I've run across, notably a WWII-era all mahogany J-45 that reached right out and touched you, but I suspect it took decades of hard playing use for that guitar to achieve that sort of power and projection. It takes considerably longer (like, YEARS longer) for hardwood tops to loosen up and break in compared to spruce tops.

Originally Posted by Nctom

I recently played a couple of Waterloo WL-12 Mh's and, boy howdy, I want one of them!

I agree, and think one of these all-mahogany Waterloos might be just the right answer for MartinMan's quest:

Waterloo WL-12 Mh

MartinMan, these run about two grand new, and used should be cheaper still. I think one would be perfect for what you want.

There are also some Martin "15 Series" smallbody guitars, like the 00-15M:

Martin 0015M

What might be better still, if you can find one, is the 12 fret version:

Martin 12 fret 0015

In any event, those all-mahogany Martins ought to be easier to find than a used Waterloo, and less expensive on the used guitar market, as well.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Shortfinger]

Ibanez AVN2OPN, 12-fret, all-solid hog, you'll still find new ones in stock or as "open box" new.

Remarkable sound. Body depth 5 inches at bottom!

[Wade Hampton]

Shortfinger (Goldfinger's good-hearted younger brother) wrote:

Originally Posted by Shortfinger

Ibanez AVN2OPN, 12-fret, all-solid hog, you'll still find new ones in stock or as "open box" new.

Remarkable sound. Body depth 5 inches at bottom!

Interesting. I was only vaguely aware of these:

Ibanez AVN2OPN

Another guitar MartinMan might consider is the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat:

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat

I picked up a used Hellcat off Craigslist for next to nothing, and it was a remarkably good-playing and -sounding guitar. It's got a solid khaya top and laminated khaya back and sides.

The ones I've seen in the stores have been either brown wood or matte black, but doing that image search a minute ago I discovered that they're also making them in white and also this very cool Pelham blue:

Blue Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat

Fender is calling that finish "Sapphire," which is kind of silly, but it's still a cool look, I think.

Anyway, aside from the Martins, Waterloos and Santa Cruzes we've been recommending, there are less expensive yet equally viable options for MartinMan out there. So thanks for reminding us of that, Shortfinger.


whm

[HHP]

If you're willing to go on a bit of a quest, and since you're planning for a future purchase, might consider the Martin 00-16DBM. Its a narrower neck than you like at 1 11/16 but these things put out sound like you can't believe.