Is mahogany always plain or can it have figure?

[MikeD]

Here is some "beeswing" flamed mahogany on my Walker OM.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) UK

That Cordoba looks like sapele to me.. I may be wrong. There are many beautiful figured mahoganies around, when I get a spare moment I will post some photos.

Possibly. It's a stock photo. Mine is mahogany for sure and looks a lot like that. I also have a sapele guitar and the streaks/rays (which I'm guessing are what you're reacting to) are quite a bit wider, almost stripy.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) UK

That Cordoba looks like sapele to me.. I may be wrong. There are many beautiful figured mahoganies around, when I get a spare moment I will post some photos.

I do agree that it looks like Sapele, but it could also be Cuban Mahogany. Much of the CM I have seen over the years had that striping in it, although it was a little bit darker in color... but sometimes the lighting in photographs can be manipulated making it hard to make a distinction.

[Howard Klepper]

Originally Posted by LouieAtienza

Man some beautiful wood here!

I have some Philippine mahogany with some amazing flame, and a bit denser than typical. "Tree" mahogany is in the "Unobtanium" realm, but there is some spectacular figured sapele (ceck out pomelle sapele) though not a true mahogany....

Yep. This is a set I have been holding on to from a special log of figured sapele that was around about 10-12 years ago. It's available for building someone's guitar.

[jperryrocks]

I prefer a warmer fiddle black or traditional flame on mahogany.

There's nothing wrong with an over the top back that looks like a quilted pillow...it's just not my look. It's more fitting in a museum.

[Cocobolo Kid]

Here is the figured mahogany back of my 1995 Breedlove C2, which is conveniently currently for sale here on AGF (http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...ight=breedlove):

[Earwitness]

[Bruce Sexauer]

This is Honduras Mahogany:


And this is Sapele:


I have raw sets of both in stock.

[mikealpine]

Beautiful stuff! I've only recently begun to appreciate the sound of mahogany-backed guitars.

[bho]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Here is some "beeswing" flamed mahogany on my Walker OM.

Wow, I have never heard of flamed mahogany. Love it.

[usb_chord]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Here is some "beeswing" flamed mahogany on my Walker OM.

A mahogany walker OM. Wow. I can't think of a more perfect thing. What's the top? Euro?

[usb_chord]

Here's the back of a Franklin -



Also, check this sucker out, Walker 0-14fret:

[JoeCharter]

Sometimes "The Tree" can be a bit too much, especially on vintage-style instruments.

A nicely figured set of "beeswing" mahogany like on Mike's guitar is perfect for all occasions.

[Howard Klepper]

I would not call the figure on MikeD's Walker beeswing. Beeswing is a figure that runs diagonally to the grain or in mottled patches. It's caused by a mix of curly and interlocked grain, and resembles moiré, or an insect's wing. I would call the figure on the Walker a tight curl.

Here is beeswing satinwood:



Here is beeswing in a set of narra in my wood stash:

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by usb_chord

A mahogany walker OM. Wow. I can't think of a more perfect thing. What's the top? Euro?

Adi top on her. Love that 14 fret Walker 0-18 back as well. That's some of that stuff he calls jaguar mahogany he had some sets of. I had a 000-18 12 fret from Kim that had that stuff. Simply stunning.