Is Sapele inferior to Mahogany?

[hermithollow]

Cuban Mahogany (swietenia mahogani) was prized for it's large dimensions and ease of being worked with tools and it's great dimensional stability. When it became scarce they switched to Honduran mahogany, and when that became less common they switched to Khaya, and now it's sipo and sapele. They try to find replacements that are close to what they had before. Sapele, being heavier and harder than mahogany will sound a little different, which many people may prefer. It is also a little harder to work with tools. As wood becomes scarcer manufacturers will work with species that are more difficult to cut and shape, but are available and otherwise have good qualities.
Eventually sapele will be overharvested and become scarce, another "tragedy of the commons"

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by hermithollow

when that became less common they switched to Khaya, and now it's sipo and sapele. They try to find replacements that are close to what they had before.

Larrivee switched from Sapele to Kyaha due to the working hazards of Sapele dust.

[guitar george]

As seen in some of the previous posts, all sapele is not parallel stripes. This is my sapele 2006 Morgan CCQMH bought at Dream Guitars.

Morgan (7).jpg MORGAN.jpg

[gmel555]

Certainly figured Sapale (which is indeed beautiful) now goes for a premium price even over "genuine mahogany", and the majority of comments I've seen seem to say it is on par -or better- with mahogany tone-wise. I guess I need to go out and play some newer, well crafted models.

[Kitkatjoe]

Originally Posted by Kitkatjoe

If your trying to use Sapele as a fire starter to get a hot thread started I bet it works.��

Sapele will get thinned out and the lack of it will drive the price up and the fan club will also grow.

[Michael Watts]

I've played some superb sapele guitars by luthiers such as Marc Benetau, Mike Greenfield and Bruce and Matt Petros. It can be wonderful wood in the right hands.

It's different to mahogany but it's potentially a great tone wood.

[Wade Hampton]

Sapele is a wonderful tonewood.


whm

[cu4life7]

I think generally the stripped look of Sapele is less appealing to some, but sound wise it is fantastic. Like others have said, I think lack of tradition and history make some look down upon tone woods like sapele and others. But like anything else, if you like it than who cares.

[Ralph124C41]

This is all very interesting to me. As you can see from my info I have inexpensive guitars, all but one of which have laminated back and sides so I don't know how they compare to all-solid sapele-constructed guitars.

But as you can see I have four models, one each with laminated sapele (the Mitchell), mahogany (the AD30), rosewood (the AD710 which I played at an acoustic jam yesterday and the player next to me, a luthier who makes his own brand of guitars, complimented me on its sound) and maple (the AD80).

Of the four, the one I like the least is the Mitchell. However even among my cheap guitars it is the cheapest (I got it new for $99) ... so that has sort of turned me off against sapele as the guitar is loud ... but sounds bright and thin in comparison to the others. Of course it could be the guitar itself.

I will have to try out some guitars with solid sapele myself. There's a few stores within an hour or so drive from me that have some samples, such as an Eastman dreadnought and a used Martin DRS2.

[ChuckS]

I believe Sapele is a bit denser than Honduran Mahogany. In that sense, it may be closer to Cuban Mahogany. I've heard of one well respected luthier that even referred to Sapele as a poor man's Cuban Mahogany, which is quite a complement (I really like Cuban Mahogany).

[WildBill82]

My only experience with sapele was a Taylor DN3, shortest acoustic honeymoon I've ever had. It had a dry, lifeless sound to it. But I think the new 317 sounds good and is by far the best sounding sapele-backed guitar I've ever heard.

Personally I'm not a fan of sapele, it's the color of poo and it usually sounds like it too.

[M Sarad]

The first Brondel I played was Sapele. Superb guitar under his capabilities.

[JC.]

[double post]

[JC.]

Originally Posted by guitar george

As seen in some of the previous posts, all sapele is not parallel stripes. This is my sapele 2006 Morgan CCQMH bought at Dream Guitars.

Attachment 32371 Attachment 32372

So, Sapeles and Oranges?

[dhockenbury]

In the right hands, sapele is a great tonewood. My H&D 000 12 fret has a wonderful tone.