Rosewood/Mahogany "tweener" tonewood

[Chipotle]

Hope it's okay to ask a question of all the luthiers and players here!

I'm considering a custom build. Looking at a 00-size to complement my HD-28. Spruce top for sure. In 00 guitars I've played, I love the ringing overtones of rosewood back/sides, especially for delicate fingerstyle arrangements, but the midrangey woodiness of mahogany suits Travis & flatpicking more.

What back/side tonewood do you think is a "tweener" that might have a bit of both? I haven't had the opportunity to play a lot of others. Koa? Maple? Other exotics? Hopefully folks here have more experience with some others they might recommend.

Wish I had the money for two guitars, but....

[Nemoman]

I'd check out oregon myrtlewood or bastogne walnut. I've owned guitars with those tonewoods and always felt like they hit the "tweener" range you're seeking.

Just my 2 cents--YMMV...

Good luck in your quest!

[nacluth]

Ziricote, Black Walnut, Australian Blackwood....

[Bruce Sexauer]

I have made perhaps 45 guitars from Dalbergia tucurensis, which is one of the true rose woods, but MUCH lighter weight that EIR or BRW. It's dominant character is (IMO) that is is forgiving and musical like Mahogany (fun to play), while having more focus and versatility at the same time. I like to say that it is the ideal compromise, especially as it seems to have little to no humidity issues and I cannot recall a single one coming back for repair unless it went through a door sideways. It has been called Honduras Rosewood, Panama Rosewood, and currently Guatemalan Rosewood by Martin who seems to like it as well. Mine came from Belize, so I suppose it has a fairly wide range. I have about 30 more sets.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

I have made perhaps 45 guitars from Dalbergia tucurensis, which is one of the true rose woods, but MUCH lighter weight that EIR or BRW. It's dominant character is (IMO) that is is forgiving and musical like Mahogany (fun to play), while having more focus and versatility at the same time. I like to say that it is the ideal compromise, especially as it seems to have little to no humidity issues and I cannot recall a single one coming back for repair unless it went through a door sideways. It has been called Honduras Rosewood, Panama Rosewood, and currently Guatemalan Rosewood by Martin who seems to like it as well. Mine came from Belize, so I suppose it has a fairly wide range. I have about 30 more sets.

Is that grenadillo, Bruce?

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by fazool

Is that grenadillo, Bruce?

No, D. grenadillo is dense and is more similar to D. retusa (Cocobolo) in its properties than the low density D. tucarensis that Bruce is talking about.

[Guitars44me]

I LOVE my two John Kinnairds. HRW but not as light as the stuff Bruce S is describing...

The Tasmanian Blackwood on the Taylor CS GS I am selling is awfully nice too. Loud, light and aggressive.

Walnut is always a good choice, too. Big help I am... haha

Remember your Luthier, and the top, and the construction, and the finish, etc. all affect tone tremendously.

Have a fun search!

Cheers

Paul

[cigarfan]

After trying more than half a hundred guitars of varying tonewoods, I would say walnut is a good compromise between the two. I currently have two Bastogne Walnut and one Black Walnut which, depending on the top, really hit that "tween" line for me. Redwood over Bastogne Walnut is awesome, especially if you are singing.

[Chipotle]

Of course the guitar, the luthier and the construction are important. I just wanted to have some other ideas/second opinions before the discussion starts. Thanks for everyone's input!

[Truckjohn]

Quartersawn oak is another good one.

[ChuckS]

For what you describle (and staying with spruce top), I'd consider Koa and maybe a very dense Cuban Mahogany.

[BrunoBlack]

I am certainly no expert in guitar building, but I do own 2 guitars with red spruce tops and walnut B&S -- one English Walnut and one Bastogne Walnut. They both sound great and seem like a good compromise to my ear.

[dekutree64]

Movingui rings like rosewood but density is closer to mahogany. I've never played a finished guitar with it, but in raw form it seems like one of the best inbetweens.

[ridethewind]

I have an all-Tasmanian Blackwood and it really is just that bit darker. Cole Clark makes a bunya/blackwood that might suit you but not in a 00 size, it's a 000. I've played Breedlove's all-Myrtlewood 00 at our local guitar shop and loved the sound. They make a 00 with myrtlewood back and sides and spruce top and that one has that bit more zing which it sounds like you're looking for. I'd suggest you try it out.


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[fitness1]

I'll throw a vote in for Palo Escrito......