Mahogany Versus Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Tone comparison- Which is better? Martin D18 Versus HD-28

[@mylerism]

I'm more of a rosewood fan these days, thanks to my Gibson Songwriter. It's a versatile guitar. I used to love my J45, but it seems too muddy now. Your D18 sounds pretty sweet. I think the HD28 has a bit more sparkle to it, but that's me favoring the rosewood, I suppose. Enjoying your videos, Gary. Cheers

[@gair1944]

Thanks for sharing your insight. I actually have a Gibson custom EC ebony Songwriter as well and it’s awesome.

[@tbdog99]

Mahogany for a higher register (female) vocal, Rosewood for a lower register (male) vocal. For recording, whatever tone serves the song, it's all about the song...for me, anyway.

[@gair1944]

LOVE your insight. You make a great point. Depending on vocal range a certain tone wood can be more complimentary to the song and overall mix. I always love when someone is insightful enough to know 'whatever serves the song best'. That is a pearl of wisdom for sure!

[@pericliskipreos2165]

Hello and Happy New Year!! I had 4 Martin D-18. One Standard, one Custom Shop (Adirondack-Mahogany), one D-18 Modern de Luxe and recently one Authentic 1937. All these Martin was very good guitars, BUT i bought two weeks ago a guitar Guild D-40. I couldn't believe never that one such cheaper guitar (and NOT Martin) will be so amazing and gorgeous guitar!!! To my opinion she is the best guitar with Mahogany!!! Your comparison video was excellent!!! Congratulations!!

[@gair1944]

Thanks for sharing. Thats incredible news about the Guild. I haven’t played a D40 but now I’d love to try one when I get a chance.

[@chrisgarver7904]

I also like both. For me I purchased an OM with Brazilian rosewood & a dreadnought with mahogany. Also have an OM with cedar top & claro walnut back & sides. They all have very beautiful & very different voices

[@gair1944]

Thanks for sharing your experience with different guitars and tone woods Chris. Your collection is enviable. I'd love to have a Brazilian Rosewood guitar. But it's priced a bit out of reach these days. I also love Clara walnut. I've played some really beautiful sounding Clara Walnut guitars.

[@robertnewell5057]

Thanks, Gary. I've got an HD35 and a J40 (both spruce/rose) and my playing partner has a D18. They complement each other well. I think you summed it up by saying 'they are just different', but it was a nice comparison, anyway. What stood out for me, as it always does is the fit and finish. Quite beautiful instruments, and they are from a factory (albeit one staffed by very committed people). You can more or less get one off a shelf. They won't all be gems, but they will always be good. I also have a Fylde (UK boutique workshop) and a Collings, and the my Martins stand up against them just fine. I should mention that I do a lot of fingerstyle playing both as an accompanist and instrumentalist, and folks out there worrying about whether a dread can do fingerstyle shouldn't. They are fine, and some of the best known fingerstyle accompaniment has been done on dreads, as well as some great instrumentals. You will never go wrong with a Martin D, and I don't know how the make them that good for the money. Sure, they aren't cheap, but they are worth it and more.

[@gair1944]

Hey Robert, Thanks for sharing your experience and insight about the Mahogany versus Rosewood debate. I also have learned that when you get a good Martin, it stands up to the boutique smaller builder instruments. Nobody really does the truest Martin tone better than Martin. They chase it but usually have their own flavor.

[@rogerd9150]

Nice. Like them both. I was hoping you would do some fingerstyle comparison as well Gary.

[@gair1944]

I'm not much of a finger style player. I can do some travis picking fairly well but that's about it for me.

[@Rickeydenler]

It's what you'd expect mahogany bright high-end rosewood great low end play with compliment each other very well in a guitar circle

[@gair1944]

Thanks for listening to the Mahogany versus Rosewood comparison Rickeydenier. Your insight makes great sense. I agree.

[@JoelCepin-j2l]

Thanks Gary! The variation of keys give a larger sound sample along with more open string sounds. I suppose it's probably already been done but if one were to pull up an EQ on a DAW that you could watch while playing, one could create an EQ signature for both guitars and finally have a measurable difference for the age old Mahogany vs Rosewood debate! The type of pick used has a lot to do with tone as well, as you pointed out to me yesterday! To my ears on my studio headphones the rosewood Martin had a bit more volume to it This could easily be measured as well, and might be more of a factor than we think for tone purposes. Also on the rosewood guitar, the notes of the chords seem to blend well for the ear to hear a strummed chord more than individual string tones (the mahogany guitar seems to maintain more individual string clarity when chords are strummed). Another thing that seems to exist is that any acoustic guitar has a "sweet spot" musical key that brings out the best in the guitar. Good stuff!

[@gair1944]

Those are some great observations and points Joel! Love it! Thanks

[@markcarleton6647]

Thanks for sharing this! I’m a fan of both also. I like how you compared two very similar guitars with the main difference being different woods for the back / sides. I have two Collings OM‘s - one with Rosewood back / sides and the other with mahogany. I tend to play the guitar with mahogany back / sides more often. It has a chimey quality that I’m drawn to. I notice that it’s a little easier to record too. I do love the sound of a Rosewood back / sides guitar also.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts and insight Mark. I also tend to gig with my mahogany D-18 more. The HD-28 needs to have the bass EQ dropped to avoid feedback. I take the EQ from 12 o'clock center detend down to 9 o'clock and the guitar still sounds rich but more balanced. I don't have to do those EQ gymnatiscs with the D18 typically.

[@anthonywhite6530]

Such a great video Sir. Thank you for being on point.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for watching and for your kind words on my Mahogany versus Rosewood acoustic tone video.

[@lilycat1694]

This leads me to believe that I absolutely need to get an HD28 to go with the D18 Sunburst I recently purchased. I had a D28 standard that I sold a few months ago. I never quite connected with it. Love my D18. HD28 is great as is the 1937 Authentic D28. Both your guitars sound so good.

[@gair1944]

Hey Lilycat. The HD28 definitely has a great voice that is distinguished from the D18 in different ways that are equally compelling and rewarding. I am really glad to have both of these great Martins.

[@venturaVlogger]

That rosewood sounds snappy clear , and great low end tone

[@gair1944]

There is a low end tone to Rosewood that I find different from Mahogany. Both are great but there are times when I prefer one over the other.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

Taste is relative. Mahogany? Rosewood? Who cares? My favorite back and sides material is Lyrachord and has been since receiving a brand-spankin' new tobacco sunburst Ovation Balladeer back in 1980 when the late, great Tony Rice was endorsing Ovation guitars.

[@gair1944]

Your opinion is totally cool. Whatever works for you as a guitarist is what matters most. That said, it seems like a lot of people are interested in the differences between tone woods.There is a difference voice I hear between mahogany versus rosewood guitars with all other thing being equal. That's my experience and it was fun trying to demonstrate this.

[@ML-dh6ly]

Rosewood sounds a little more lively where as the mahogany is slightly more mellow to my ears

[@gair1944]

yeah I agree there is a sparkle and brilliance in Rosewood can offer a reverb-like resonance. Mahogany is more woody or maybe organic is a better word? (to my ears)

[@jessehudson7113]

Exactly my opinion

[@williammcdonald452]

Both nice, Gary!

[@gair1944]

Thanks William.

[@billdedrick1914]

Very nice review...What is your string heights on each at the 12th fret for E and e? neck reliefs?

[@gair1944]

@@billdedrick1914 no idea. Medium action is what I ask my tech to give me. I never measured

[@rskirk22]

Both sound great but I prefer the sound of the HD-28 for my style of playing. It has more clarity on the high end IMHO.

[@gair1944]

Hard to go wrong with either of these timeless classics.

[@choochoopoppy3240]

Both sound wonderful but from a personal standpoint when playing, I prefer the more balanced tone inherent with mahogany.

[@gair1944]

@@choochoopoppy3240 thanks for listening and for sharing your preferences. Makes sense

[@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611]

Very hard to beat a Martin / Mahogany. I own a Hummingbird Original, Southern Jumbo Original. I recently purchased a D18 with the 1933 Ambertone finish.. the Gibsons never leave their case now. Unless friends are over and wants to play one..

[@gair1944]

Awesome comment. That says a lot for the classic and iconic D-18! Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.

[@kd_kissed]

Both sound wonderful! For me the Mahagoni separates the Tones better, whereas the rosewood is more nuanced and complex sounding. I would say it depends on the song which fits better, but I like the hog its cleaner and more lyrical to me. Which one do you you like more or use more?

[@gair1944]

I gig with mahogany 90% of the time. 😊 there are times however when rosewood sounds just as glorious if not more. But mostly it’s mahogany for me.

[@kd_kissed]

You play marvelous on both I think 😉

[@gair1944]

@ thank you for the compliment. Made my day!

[@warrenkrivoniak7374]

The D-18 is warmer. Just bought a used D-16 lefthanded. Owned a D-28. Awesome comparison ❤🎉

[@gair1944]

@@warrenkrivoniak7374 thanks Warren. Congrats on your D-16 lefty!

[@russellleach8860]

Both are nice. I think that the mahogany fits what I normally play with regard to the different types of music. Fingerpicking. Again both sound great. Thanks for the video. Take care.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for stopping by my Mahogany versus Rosewood Acoustic tone video. I lean more toward Mahogany typically as well. But good rosewood tone stands on its own.

[@anthonywhite6530]

I love both... Subscribed.

[@gair1944]

"Both" is always a good choice. Laughs.

[@stevenkirkpatrick7258]

Not really sure why the comparison as both tone woods have a different E.Q. The mahogany is more midrange, less lows and highs . Whereas the Rosewood has a scooped out midrange, lots of lows and lots of highs and hardly any midrange. Therefore the two guitars have different applications in my opinion. In a studio setting you would be better off with the mahogany guitar, but a live on stage performance the Rosewood would really shine … at least that’s my opinion on the matter. To each their own though.

[@gair1944]

You make great points but I will add that when I gig with the Rosewood HD28, I have to drop the bass and shape the EQ on my amp more to avoid or tame feedback more than I do with my Mahogany D18. Although depending on volume and venue, I shape the EQ for my D18 to avoid too much low end.

[@lhvent]

The Mahogany has a more mellow sound, but both sound wonderful.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for listening and sharing your comments.

[@mattmoo1007]

Both are good, but I slightly prefer the mahogany, as the bottom end has just a little bit more clarity.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for weighing in with your Vote. I love them both but to be honest my Mahogany guitars including this D-18 get played a lot more!

[@artman133]

I preferred the tonal differentiation that rosewood gives, brightness. Which is reflected in all three of my guitars Taylor 812, Guild F-512 (12 string) and my Alvarez Yairi DY-77

[@gair1944]

Nice guitar collection you have there! Rosewood is a good choice when it's the sound you love. Never a bad choice.

[@Iramkrisna]

I cannot talk english but I hear like music..beautiful .....🎉

[@gair1944]

Thank you!

[@tjstevens001]

Nice guitars, I can't pick the better. My ears just not good enough.

[@gair1944]

It's probably more a matter of preference. Not 'better'. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JTekstar]

The rosewood sounded fuller and warmer but the mahogany sounded more articulate and still had plenty of bottom end and warmth of it's own. I say doesn't make much difference they both sound great. The fact is an experienced player can make even a laminate top guitar sound better with good dynamic playing.

[@gair1944]

Love you comment, especially about an experienced player making even a laminate guitar sound good. It's the Indian not the arrow ...as they say. Right?

[@davidward5225]

Rosewood for me

[@andreasfetzer7559]

Both great, mahogany little fuller, rosewood little more open soundong.

[@gair1944]

@@andreasfetzer7559 Thanks for commenting. I tend to agree Mahogany has a warmth and is very cohesive sounding.

[@PorchPerfect]

Good job... Next time don't show us or tell us .Just one time to make us guess .. But overall great Job ...keep on picking T.C.

[@garybennett9312]

The Mahogany won, more clear and bright.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Two points: 1. "VS"... implying there is an adversarial confrontation.. or "compared to". ? 2. The top is a greater determinate to sound than backs and sides. Guitars are case by case.

[@gair1944]

This was as close as I could get comparing apples to apples so to speak. Maybe I should have said “Comparison”. I’d like to think my commentary in the comparison made that clear. I agree tops impact the sound profoundly but I always hear a difference between the way rosewood guitars sound, reverberate same sustain compared with reasonably equivalent mahogany guitars.

[@colakeith1]

Why did you say you pit a bone saddle in the HD-26? BOTH guitars come with bone nut and saddle from the factory.. Redundent...

[@gair1944]

@@colakeith1 not the ones that come with Baggs Anthem pickups. They were tusq saddles as stock.