Rosewood or Mahogany

[nopicknick]

I have two dreads, one solid rosewood back and sides. The other mahogany back and sides. Both have Adirondack tops. If I had to choose between the two, it would be the hog. What say you.....?

[Bluemonk]

I say you're a person who knows what you want.

[Joe Beamish]

People will respond with one or the other, and many will respond with "both."

I'm more interested in, why? Why hog? And is the distinction different with dreads?

For me personally, the hog vs. rosewood thing isn't nearly as important as a bunch of other factors that add up to the Total Guitar.

[Rosewood99]

Depends on what you want. Both have their strengths.

[Ncbandit]

I strum often and prefer the HOG sound over Rosewood. Sapele is also a contender for top dog.

[PapaC]

If I HAD to choose you say? It would be the Rosewood. Just a classic sound imho.

But yeah, they both have their place. Do you pound a flat pick in a bluegrass band, or strum in church?

[foxo]

If I could only have one guitar I would probably stick with my spruce and rosewood Lowden. It’s a great all rounder.

[RP]

I've become a fan of mahogany after years of being a rosewood fan...

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by PapaC

... Do you pound a flat pick in a bluegrass band, or strum in church?

Or thump with a thumb pick or freestyle classically? The body and neck are often more important for all those different kinds of playing, than the kind of tone woods.

[Brucebubs]

I have both and think they're both very, very good but if I had to choose just one ... it would be a maple large body guitar.

[Joe Beamish]

Originally Posted by RP

I've become a fan of mahogany after years of being a rosewood fan...

Why is that? (Curious, because thus far in this thread, no one is indicating the reasons why....I like both myself, but don't consider the distinction very important.)

[hermithollow]

Either one can be great and either one can be a dog. I'd pick the one I liked better.
I've seen some of the finest woods used in some of the most mediocre guitars.

[fitness1]

Mahogany every day of the week

[RP]

Originally Posted by RP

I've become a fan of mahogany after years of being a rosewood fan...

Originally Posted by Joe Beamish

Why is that? (Curious, because thus far in this thread, no one is indicating the reasons why....I like both myself, but don't consider the distinction very important.)

I don't have a definitive answer but wonder if it's part of changes in hearing with age, at least in my case...

[Jaden]

I prefer a Sitka Spruce top, and in the Martin camp, among the D-28, HD-28, D-35s I find in shop - can’t say I’ve played one that didn’t engage my interest - deep/dark - can’t say that about the D-18 though (a little less intensity, a little soft).