#1
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What is African Ebony closest to...Maple, Mahogany, or Rosewood?
I really want one of the new 614ce Spring Limiteds, but I'm not sure what to expect. I don't think any of my local dealers will be getting any so I would pretty much have to order it without having a chance to play it.
I'm trying to get an idea about how it compares to maple, mahogany, and rosewood. Here's why. - I already have a 616ce that I really like and don't want another guitar like it. - I tend to favor rosewood to mahogany (I'm also looking at an 814ce). - If it's closer to maple and mahogany I'll probably go with the 814ce. - If it's closer to rosewood I'll probably go with the limited. I'm not asking if it sounds exactly like one of these, but which one it's closest to to give me an idea. Any help/comparisons would be appreciated.
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2016 Taylor 814 Brazilian 2016 Yamaha FS820 Turquoise 2014 Eastman MD404 Mandolin 2014 Pono ETPC Ukulele |
#2
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Desert ironwood?
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#3
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I assume we're talking fretboard and maybe bridge here. Ebony is probably closest to a heavy duty Rosewood. It's darker and heavier and pretty hard to come by these days. Only ever owned one guitar with an ebony fretboard and bridge and it was a lovely guitar a K Yairi Dread. Have played a few others and I always like them.
Ebony is a lovely wood sort of dark chocolate to rosewoods milk. Kris
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Keep it Simple |
#4
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Having made several guitars from African ebony, of the three choices you've given - maple, mahogany or rosewood - it is closest to rosewood.
Last edited by charles Tauber; 04-19-2013 at 10:21 PM. |
#5
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I had the same internal struggle when I saw them released as well... Since I would be buying it sight unseen, I was worried I might not like the sound... They are some of the most beautiful production guitars I've ever seen though! I'm still waiting for someone to get one and put up a review here! Good luck!
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Jeremiah Current Guitars: 1986 Petros Spruce/Rosewood Dread (for sale) 2000 Taylor XXV-DR 1997 Taylor 514c My photography website |
#6
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Steelerboy, before you go ordering any guitars with ebony back and sides, be certain to play one first.
Yes, they look exquisite. But the handful of guitars with African ebony backs and sides that I've encountered in the decades I've been involved with the custom and high end acoustic guitar world have tended to LOOK a lot cooler than they sounded. Plus, they weigh a TON.... The main reason most guitar builders and guitar companies don't build guitars from African ebony is the scarcity of the wood in widths large enough for guitar sets. But, honestly, even when you can find a set wide enough it's not all that great a tonewood, either. If you want a black guitar, there are easier ways to get one without sacrificing tone or having to carry around an instrument that weighs as much as a corpulent third grader.... Wade Hampton Miller |
#7
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Quote:
Apparently, it is twice as dense as the woods used in OP's similar 616ce: bigleaf maple: 545 kg/m^3 african ebony: 1,035 kg/m^3 yikes! May not be a bad thing though. Solid feel in one's hands? |
#8
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Quote:
Okay, I'm being a bit unfair. That's not the most appropriate comparison I could make. Ebony definitely has more potential as a tonewood than lead, titanium OR depleted uranium. But none of the African ebony guitars I've had my hands on have sounded so good that I felt even the slightest longing to own an ebony guitar myself. As opposed to Macassar ebony, which is a wonderful tonewood. I've liked the sound of most of the Macassar ebony guitars I've played. I can't say the same for for African ebony. Look, I'm not trying to be a spoilsport here, piddling on everybody's parade. But try before you buy, that's all I'm saying. Don't get sucked into a decision you might regret simply because you've been beguiled by the wood's visual appearance. Wade Hampton Miller |
#9
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Technically, rosewood, but actually, none of the above.
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#10
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Looks like african blackwood, which also weighs a ton.
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#11
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I'm not sure if African ebony is very different to maccassar ebony - I've never played an African ebony guitar - but I have to say that two of the best sounding guitars I've ever played are made from maccassar ebony. I bought them both.
The tone of maccassar, as far as it can be attributed to the back and sides rather than the design, builder etc., is closest to a good rosewood, but with less 'ring' which translates to greater clarity, particularly in the bass. Quote:
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Huckleberry ----------- Baranik Meridian "Aurora" fan-fret - Celebes ebony / Colorado blue spruce Tom Sands Model L fan-fret - Macassar ebony / European spruce Hamblin GC - Macassar ebony / Italian spruce Kronbauer SMB - Macassar ebony / Engelmann spruce Baranik JX - Indian rosewood / German spruce Sheppard GA - African blackwood / Bosnian spruce Collings OM1 CA Cargo Raw | Ele |
#12
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Wow, thanks guys. I have actually been told similar things buy my guitar tech. He said the ebony guitars he has played were not the greatest sounding (not to say they sounded bad or anything). Not to mention I had no idea about the weight either. I'm definitely going to wait to play one first.
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2016 Taylor 814 Brazilian 2016 Yamaha FS820 Turquoise 2014 Eastman MD404 Mandolin 2014 Pono ETPC Ukulele |
#13
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One of the instruments I've made from African ebony is a 10-string classical guitar. Although not tuned well, you can hear it and judge for yourself the sound quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kioqmZgk2Q
As for weight, I haven't found that the guitars that I have made using it were inordinately heavy. As with any guitar, I recommend that one play the very instrument one is intending to buy, prior to buying it. Don't buy on brand name or looks. |
#14
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Genius. Of the new Taylor Ltd's, the Granadillo 41x series looks intriguing. Personally I'd be more inclined towards that series. |
#15
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If you got this month's Wood & Steel, the Taylor magazine, you'd find a rather extensive article on these guitars.
Seems Taylor got hold of ONE tree that had been legally harvested and yielded some 300 back and sides sets.. So that's the run. According to Mr. Taylor, these are making up into guitars that are not extremely heavy, and the one on cover of the mag is very distinctive looking. I think you can read all the content online, nice pic: http://www.taylorguitars.com/wood-and-steel |