Mahogany vs Rosewood | Differences you need to know!

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A comparison between a rosewood and mahogany.
A Collings vs a Martin.
This is not a scientific video, purely made for fun and getting an idea of the fact that there are lots of differences between RW and Hog.
DISCLAIMER: GO TO THE STORE TO CHECK OUT THE DIFFERENCES YOURSELVES!
And above all, enjoy playing :)

[@hapshan]

Impossible to decide. They both sound better

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks. I listened with headphones. I sort of bought both a Martin D-28 but went with a Gibson J45 for the mahogany. Different voices for different songs. What about sinker redwood on top of cocobolo?

[@transcendenttv]

Agreed

[@lennywiersma1435]

Man, there are a lot of guitar videos out there. Yours are by far some of the most creative. And useful. Thank you for the time you put in. So enjoyable to watch.

[@quigley4440]

Fun comparison and one is not better than the other. Each wood and guitar will present different characteristics which may or may not appeal to you. We are as different as the guitars. The quality of the tone woods also makes an incredible difference. Most guitars today are not made from old growth trees. My Takamine TF740FS has a spectacular mahogany body with a red cedar top. The mid tones shimmer, there are bells and overtones, and if you didn't see it being played, good luck in figuring out the woods it is made from. Find the guitar that is pleasing to your heart, not your mind. The heart will win in the end.

[@ahmeds.mansour1293]

quigley 45-100 Oh my, that was the best comment

[@davidedwards1511]

You're so talented, man! As a guitarist who loves playing acoustic and electric and looping AS WELL as someone who does media and design for his job, I'm super impressed with how skilled you are in multiple areas! I subscribed a minute in to the first video I saw. Keep them coming!!

[@Ryan_Austin]

The mahogany sounds natural, deep and beautiful, but I also love the bright, soft and ringing sound of the rosewood

[@el34glo59]

I actually like rosewood on smaller guitars because of the deep bass. Hogs on dreads. To keep that bass tight but still have s deep sound

[@GhostFace-zj7lk]

Im a guitar player myself and have been playing a while, I used to have a rosewood and it sounded amazing! I recently got a Mahogany and think it feels much better and sounds better too! Its all a personal thing really! Rosewood is still very good!

[@janem7839]

to be honest i don't even really care about the comparison, i'm just here to listen to the guitar playing

[@mouselim72]

Me too! What's the last tune that Paul played? Very french! Love it!!

[@mouselim72]

Nevermind - got it! Autumn Leaves!

[@moopy141]

Jane M mahany is more relaxed and rosewood is more articulate. Both are beautiful, I want both

[@kuskus9756]

Jane M 😂😂

[@bernatbosch]

I don't think you meant playing but player. Am I right?

[@zachyweezer]

i know this is an old video, but just wanted to comment on the phenomenal playing. your first song was absolutely beautiful.

[@Shaharazad221]

Both sound gorgeous. If I had to draw a line between the two, I would say that Rosewood might be better at ringing chords and open strings, while Mahogany is better suited for articulate, individual notes.

[@erikrusso9808]

In my opinion rosewood does not only sound better, but looks a million times more beautiful

[@BlasterJunos]

Erik Russo Note that the woods used in the comparison are the ones at the sides of the guitar, more or less look the same

[@pasha355]

we have to keep in mind that these are two different brands and tops were tuned differently. More fair to compare two martins or two collings having rosewood and mahogany.

[@TheNcmore]

Disagree - the mahogany is much-better balanced across the midrange - rosewood does give those nice bell-like overtones high and low, but the overall result is "boomy" at each end of the audible spectrum and too "hollow" in the middle. OTOH, that's why quality guitar makers have models in both mahogany and rosewood, to suit different tastes, ears, and purposes. I can see how the midrange "scoop" of rosewood might go well with a guitar accompanying a vocalist.

[@magnusruben9646]

You should see my Eastman AC522. Beautiful Mahogany :)

[@MintStiles]

@@TheNcmore that's exactly my feeling too. As well, different guitars tend to be more versatile with either. But all factors equal, a hog is better for the strong midrangy fundamental and the rosewood better for a big Strummer. Because mahogany is so light, using it for top gives a compressed sound that can also be very good for a intimate Strummer.

[@rmprice4279]

I hate how good you are at guitar

[@terjarriram1542]

Really man😂

[@PrizmSeeR]

Well I love it! He put in the time and love.

[@vyvynylification]

I just cannot walk away from spruce-rosewood. The rich sound, the overtones, ... It's a must for me as a solo fingerstyle guitarist

[@adam_michael540]

I have a beautiful OM with padauk B/S and it’s very rosewoody in terms of bright highs and overtones. Love it for solo fingerstyle but I will be getting a 00 in mahogany at some point. It’s just a fun woody sound for some fingerstyle too like fingerstyle blues. Then I’ll get a D in both cause why not.

[@vyvynylification]

@@adam_michael540 totally. I tried the bourgeois touchstone last week. One with rosewood, and one with mahogany. I was surprised by the mahogany. And it looked amazing too! But after an A/B test i still went with rosewood. I have 3 sitka- rosewood OM's, but they still all sound very different

[@SBanas]

I came here to try to hear the difference, but ended up just listening to Your playing. This only proves that player is way more important than the instrument he plays.

[@MaltiseX]

I'm just waiting for the big reveal. One of these days he's going to tell us it's actually been his twin brother all along.

[@MiguelErnestoLuisRJamon]

Rosewood, for me, would be great for fingerstyle because of its clarity. While mohagany, for me, for strumming and the like

[@vincenzodellama7158]

A good "rosewood" (many different types with different end results) guitar is truly better. But most of them are muddy while most hog guitars have more clarity. In general a smaller body size and shorter scale will make a rosewood guitar have more clarity than usual.

[@VividFizzy]

I play on rosewood finger style and it lacks in the mid and doesn’t have much definition in delicate finger picking. Very fun for strumming however and sounds deep and rich that way.

[@TheMegaPhilko]

The best/coolest Guitar-Teacher and Inspiration for me besides my role models! You helped me improve my playing-style, appreciate the Instrument again (after a long peroid of "guitar depression") and you helped me deciding for a new acoustic. In fact, this video is kind of responsible for my Martin 000-16! I wish you all the best & good health! Greetings from Hamburg, Germany Philip :-)

[@ng1163]

I recently tried two Seagull Maritime SWS (Solid Wood Series) with spruce top and one with mahogany back and sides and another with rosewood back and sides. I loved the rosewood.

[@Shams_Rumi]

your channel is literally the best!!!!! always enjoy watching your each video!!! THANK YOU!

[@lorenvguitar614]

Genuinely nice playing. They both sound great offering different tones.

[@lawrenceleflore3507]

Nothing surpasses a spruce/rosewood acoustic guitar. It's why I can't afford one.

[@ConnorJMC41]

Hog>

[@kamenridergeiz9490]

Buy an Eastman. They are very affordable and handmade with solid woods

[@transcendenttv]

I literally just noticed that I have 48 acoustic guitars and not ONE is comprised of rosewood back and sides. Obviously it’s a brand and tonal thing... I have been in “rock / AC” genre for my entire career. But I also think it’s a price thing as well; after spending the last 12 hours looking at guitars w rosewood. They are considerably more expensive. I hear you.

[@transcendenttv]

@@JonathanLukeAvery I just got turned on to Eastman in the past few weeks. Normally pros just ignore Chinese guitars truth be told - No one even speaks of Guild anymore for example. But plenty of players have told me lately “dude go check out Eastman”. Interesting. Been listening. PS - you can never have too many guitars bro 😊.

[@NeonLoneliness]

Eastman or Cort. Both make excellent solid wood guitars that are affordable.

[@PrizmSeeR]

You are such a talent! Thank you for sharing it with us, along with your ever present smiling face and eyes.

[@drakenalex]

mahogany its better to me

[@twistedwired]

I love your video production, whimsical and great quality. The split screen is a great approach :) they both sound VERY similar to me.

[@mrwayne9799]

Personally I prefer mahogany, but I think build quality has as much, or more to do with tone as the wood itself. A well built rosewood guitar will sound better than a poorly built mahogany guitar. I just like mahogany.

[@guillermara]

i really like the quality of your videos and your voice is relaxing

[@taylorm3560]

Mahogany can make guitars sound like a Martin (if not already a Martin lol). Rosewood sounds better in person, but is a finicky b*tch when recording or playing live. It can sound harsh, perhaps even brittle (but never thin) in some instances. Overall, the cop out answer of "it depends on the luthier for which tonewood will sound best" is, unfortunately, true. Would be cool if there was a clear-cut list of the best overall tonewoods, but it truly does depend on luthier/manufacturer and application. Great review bro!

[@nickchurchill2572]

Please upload a full version of the "Autumn Leaves" !! I love how you played it!

[@arumrunner]

Super playing Paul. I take it even further by using a J-15 (All mahogany) and a '92 Taylor 610 (Maple). Both so good in their own ways.

[@JensLarsen]

Hi Paul, you should consider posting your videos on reddit in /guitar. It might work well for this type of content. Just a thought...

[@villainscircle]

Hands down, This is the best youtube channel about guitars!

[@justinbraun8003]

Your videos are so amazing and so well made! Thank you for taking the time to do this (and taking the time to mic your guitars properly). Just curious what mics are you using in this video?

[@samamos8314]

Where's the credit to Julian Lage?

[@NautilusGuitars]

I came here to hear the comparison, but got to distracted by your absolutely phenomenal guitar playing. Seriously, your playing is incredibly precise, clean, balanced, and nuanced. The dynamic subtleties are so flawlessly performed. I haven't been this impressed by surprise in a very long time. Do you have any albums I could purchase or stream? Also, Subscribed!

[@jamescorr6295]

Excellent comparison video. Thank you very much Paul.

[@seanrussell8831]

Day and Age was the perfect example song! Thank you for the vid. Very informative

[@TheBeefSlayer]

Glad those guitars are living with someone that can play them so well.

[@mrbassman7184]

I’ve seen your newer videos on tonewoods, but this was nice too. Here, rosewood sounds way better to me, perhaps with an exception for the Autumn Leaves takes, but I think it is mainly because of your playing style and the fact you’re not a part of a mix here but play solo guitar. I recently bought an all-mahogany 000 guitar from Sigma and I love it, especially for fingerstyle and soloing. As such it may sound a bit flat and harsh if strumming open chords, but jazz chords and melodies sound far more warm and full with this guitar than they usually do on most acoustic guitars, and the sound plugged in is really way better than I had expected from a fairly affordable guitar like this. It’s actually good.

[@nellatrab]

Love the bark the mahogany has...the ringing clarity and the ability to create a more versatile tone...rosewood can often sound muddy because of it over lushness in overtones IMO. You should try an all mahogany Santa Cruz!

[@LostSoulAscension]

Mahogany is the muddier sounding one precisely because it lacks the overtones. So it doesn't sound as bright. Rosewood is just easier to sound messy if you're not careful with the style and technique, it's not muddy though. It can for sure sound messy though, especially when you're not playing in an open tuning, those overtones of the open strings will mess up any clarity you're going for, but many people learn to manage that because the Rosewood has so much to offer. It's a great lead style or for solo folk artists who don't have a full band while the Mahogany is a great back up instrument that wont flare off overtones that conflict with the other band members, and stays fairly neutral. That's what I got from it at least.

[@jboogieonce]

I can feel my heart breaking. Beautiful playing.

[@uddielad]

I honestly believe it’s about the builder. I heard some incredible Olsen Cedar top guitars amongst others. I have a Bourgeois Country Boy Deluxe with Adi over amazing figures Mahogany. I also have a Bourgeois DB signature dread in Adi over figured Madagascar Rosewood. Both amazing. Both play and sound exceptional.

[@alex-sd]

Rosewood sounds more open and clearer while the mahogany sounds a bit muddy. Thanks so much for providing this great video! Excellent presentation!

[@JerryHoward88]

You heard exactly what I heard for sure. I did like the mahogany also, but the rosewood was much clearer and articulate.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

As a singer... mahogany compliments the voice better.. BUT as a guitar player I take rosewood EVERYTIME, so complex and full of overtones, not to mention just the beauty of rosewood

[@naokmoon1487]

thumbs up for Rosewood. My next acoustic will be that for sure. Sound is warmer, got more bass and more sustain.

[@ferramirez4570]

Hi Paul what is your profession? and are you a professional Guitarist or did you taught yourself to play the guitar?. thanks for the videos you have a great channel! keep it like that!

[@SteveSingerFowkes]

He's a footballer by day👀👀

[@waldo955]

Thanks for video and sound comparaison. But both sound great... Great work and special thanks to you

[@fred-zt3vd]

You definitely need both. Always preferred Rosewood... thought they were superior but I'm coming around. You should have one good Hog OM though. Collings, Santa Cruz, Martin etc.

[@roberthoule9693]

like Rosewood tone. bought a Martin OM-28 Rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top. very excited about delivery. thanks for confirming my choice.

[@zacharyohare2118]

Mahogany I think sounds better amplified. More punch and attack can use an eq to get it perfect. The rosewood is super crisp/clean way more suited to a straight micd setup or no amplification. Mahogany can get a little muddy sometimes.

[@巩天池]

I really regret for purchased a back& side solid mahagony guitar after hearing this comparison.Really enjoy the sound of rosewood.Gorgeous and balanced.Just like rose flower.Mahagony is more like sleeping in a warm afternoon.

[@el34glo59]

巩天池 Nah. Depends on the guitar. Find something with Hog back and sides and a Alpine spruce top and bracing. You'll have Hog that's smooth like a rosewood with the pop of Hog. It's unreal

[@i7x756]

Can you do a tutorial on Autumn Leaves? :) Sounds so beautiful!

[@RoxPunoOfficial]

they both sound great, if you are a guitar lover its better to have both of the tonewoods simply because you will also know to which voice you will use it to your recordings :)

[@THOMAS77138]

I have many guitars with both woods plus Koa, Brazilian, Maple all sound different but all sound great !

[@mthomas4139]

I played both of those guitars today. The Collings blew me away.

[@amitnaskar7108]

Which wood is batter?

[@ianlarrimore8]

Thanks for making this video--great for this comparison.

[@kellysooth602]

Amazing guitar work. For me it’s about the trailing notes. The rosewood has better tones on the notes that are still ringing as you move on to the next note. They both have good attack on the note as you play it

[@JonDeth]

The damping factor of the rosewood is very obvious and bold. Since it's acoustics, the surface reflection that is the most concerning with electrics is out the window. *The Rosewood is waaaaay bluesier and also likely to be more pleasing for modern country and country rock.* So, this video is awesome! I definitely prefer the sound of Mahogany to Rosewood for acoustics. *I'm a common shred and sweep style guitarist, so for electrics I'm not exactly picky, but an acoustic will obviously require a more critical choice if I every spend serious money on one.*

[@fg12345ify]

i have a guitar Rosewood Back/sides and top and neck Mahagony fretboard worth $900 and damn it sounds soo good on fingerstyle the clarity and bass ,especially the echo is incredible its a concert style guitar cutaway. though its newly made the sugars in the wood still need time to make it even better

[@williammendez621]

Very Good! I'm in love with your channel. You inspire me to play more!

[@tylerpierce5365]

Rosewood!!! Jane M and Rm price, I'm with you! Paul David's you are a great guitar player and entertainer.

[@gregbatchelor9205]

Awesome comparison! Also I like that you did a little tribute to Tony Polecastro's little bluesy demo piece from the Acoustic Letter review vids (unless that was just a coincidence). Tasty playing, bro.

[@musicmason]

You good Sir, have the best comparison videos. Thank you.

[@samamos4330]

Paul can you do this same thing but OM vs 000, ie long vs short scale on a the same size body? and this was great by the way. Some credit to Julian Lage!

[@LO3Dgaming]

Great video. I feel like I gravitate more towards Mahogany. It seems like the mahogany would work better for recording but rosewood would be better in a live situation. This could also be due to my headphones.

[@JohnnyNowhere]

LO3D It is my experience that an OM or parlor body made of mahogany records the more superior.

[@RogerThat902]

@@JohnnyNowhere Yep, many people who record prefer all mahogany guitars for their recording qualities.

[@KevinBryden1]

Is that a short scale length OM? Because that 000 18 Martin will have a 24.9 inch scale length, which in itself makes a tonal difference. I understand you can get Collings OM in either scale length, but I could be wrong! ;0) I have a 000 28 and was thinking of getting a 000 18. Just concerned they’d be tonally different enough. I built an OM 10 years ago. East Indian b/s sitka top and that is brighter than my 000 28. Funny thing tone! Dreads just aren’t my thing.

[@mshomefire]

Its really lovely to see twin brothers working together. I cant really notice the difference in the sounds they both sound great. I only really notice if the player is not good or the guitar is not of a good quality.

[@eins8082]

I own a collings CJ Mahogany Adirondack Spruce top...and a Taylor 814ce Rosewood back and side & Spruce Top. I keep coming back to the Mahogany Collings for fingerpicking.. and note per note details.... and I love the Rosewood Taylor for strumming.... blends harmonics overtones... sweet sounding...

[@SICMADE7]

I'm giving this video a thumbs up for the Rosewood! : )

[@sidk23396]

I think I missed the difference, mind blown with what you played there 👏🏼

[@emilnorman8008]

why did you latest video disapper? you were showing of John Mayors best fingerstyle guitar songs with your dear friend singing to make it less boring for non guitarists I liked it and everything man.

[@jjboogie1]

Rosewood takes the cake for me in this comparison.

[@dougmatlock]

Also, brilliant playing there lad! Cheers! love the backing music as well!

[@thebard2806]

When just talking about the tones, I would think I prefer Mahogany. BUT the overtones in the Rosewood just add SO much!

[@TheTriplelman]

After 46 years of playing I like mahogany better it's more mid-range more mixing of the notes not mudding them I've had Rosewood they're higher tone crisp twangy. Gives you feedback in studio. Mahogany is better for stage and Studio rosewood's good for sitting around playing in front of other a few people I like mahogany with a cedar top that's a great sound! Yes Rosewood looks beautiful but I don't care about the looks I care about the sound

[@TharPauk_LadyKiller]

Hi Paul! Does it matter in laminated back and side guitars also? I own the YAMAHA FG820 laminated Mahogany B&S model and FGX830C laminated Rosewood B&S model and they do sound quite different. Their characteristics are also as you demonstrated. However, some of the local acoustics guitar builders in my country said laminated B&S would not contribute sound characteristics in the acoustic guitar, and only the solid B&S guitar will. Does Giant Guitar manufacture like Yamaha use all ply from the same wood for the laminate B&S? In my experience, the sound is quite different in regards to the wood even if it is laminated especially in Yamaha Guitars. Please share your experience about the tone difference in Mahogany laminated and Rosewood laminated B&S guitars.

[@pierre-de-standing]

My impression is that the style you want to play is probably best suited by one or the other. For me, when playing the ragtime, the difference was more marked with the rosewood guitar having the edge. For all the other styles, it was harder for me to judge. My own guitar has an Adirondack spruce top with rosewood back and sides and I love the clean and bright yet deep tones it brings out. Before that I had a cedar top with mahogany back and sides, but then again, the former was made by a luthier and the latter on a production line, so although the sounds are vastly different, some of that is probably down to the design and construction. No doubt scale lengths play their part too, with a longer length giving more sustain and overtones? I use identical strings 13-56 Elixir phosphor Bronze nanos.

[@RobertoCichetti]

13-56 wow my fingers hurt just by reading this ja

[@lorenvguitar614]

Oh gosh just heard Autumn Leaves, very well done.

[@hammyjammies]

Rosewood has less mid? So clearly designed for an acoustic djent.....

[@andischmidt3334]

Isn't Djent very "middy"?

[@mohitrahaman]

djent is all about that mid range emphasis

[@judsonchristudas]

You're wrong

[@RONzilber]

Hi Paul, great video! thanks. I'm about to buy a Martin guitar GPCPA4 which has two versions: rosewood and mahagony back and sides. can you tell which one have richer and warmer sound?

[@anthonyholder4490]

🌑🌑🌑 Comme TOUJOURS, excellente PRÉSENTATION et EXPLICATION que Paul nous offre. 🌑🌑🌑

[@vs_830]

Nice comparison and playng is even better. Mahogany goes as a very good but guitar and rosewood does as a outrange one. You listen the mahogany by ears and rosewood by body.

[@GreyhoundHank86]

Great comparison, Paul, tank you! I have rosewood Martin and gonna by all mahogany Yamaha FG850n. And much appreciated for Last Steam Engine Train by immortal legend Mr. John Fahey. Greetings from Russia!

[@YAWNR]

Love your vids man, keep it up

[@jux7769]

I like rosewood ..that sound very clearing and bridge.. it's my feel ..

[@iloverumi]

do you record your audio into a separate device- that's not the video camera? i'm trying to figure out how to record a video of someone playing guitar but with a proper mic/without the video camera mic. i didn't see a video of yours on it... thanks!

[@IreneJLyles]

Rosewood seemed brighter on the strums but picking sounded deep, cleaner, and full sound where the mahogany sounded deeper but not as clean. I love bass-y sounds so i was surprised to decide on the Rosewood. I'm rhythm and strum 99.9% of music so would probably still pick the Rosewood despite its brighter sound simply bc when i learn to pick it will sound better than the mahogany one.

[@sam-jams6689]

This video is so great, and informative. Thank you! Also, can you tell me the name kid the first song you play with the two guitars?

[@bart6strings]

I love to hear you playing acoustic guitar, and of course electric guitar too..such an incredible taste and you definitely can talk straight to the heart of the audience...DAMN IT MAN I HATE YOU! :D Thank you for the great videos! Greetings from Italy

[@eba6861]

Please! Could you tell me what's the final song you played? I love it!

[@gironni3158]

Les Feuilles Mortes in french or " autumn leaves

[@MikeyDreamerLam]

Rafael Biolchini Thanks for the tips, also you know what style that is when he’s playing the song? I’m new to learning guitar, would love to play like that. TIA

[@samuelromero8580]

Hey there, which strings are you using on your guitars? Great playing & tones!

[@jacobd4421]

Rosewood is definitely a warmer sounding wood, the Mahogany has a more defined sound. Both of those guitars are high quality, as is the performance, and at that point it comes down to personal preference. Or if your recording, it would depend on the other instrumentation in the track, and whether you want a guitar to cut through (using the Mahogany) or for it have a supporting role (using the Rosewood). imho

[@LarsTainio]

What's the last song in the video? It's really beautiful!

[@Alex2011410136]

Mahogany has rounder base response, perfect for jazz... rosewood has clearer high and a little bit bright low... hence the clarity. also...

[@isaacsmith1729]

I love mahogany guitars so much! I’m planning to get one someday.

[@kowasumono]

I have an S&P Parlor (Spruce Top, Mahogany Back & Sides) and it is a pretty bassy parlor. I would say personally tone woods don't matter. If you like the guitar, BUY IT. If there is something that you don't like about how the guitar sounds, consider trying the same guitar with a different top, tone wood, scale length. Guitars are made as a package. As long as it is made well and sounds good, that's all that matters.

[@Shibatan]

Ahh i could loop the part where you played Autumn Leaves forever and never get tired of it

[@CalmedByNature]

anyone know what the guitar models are?

[@ramadhannur1078]

can you tell me what was the last song?

[@lovemesomepollo]

Beautiful playing man! Way I hear it, rosewood is more what I expect from guitar: punchy and bright. Whereas mahogany is more mellow.

[@RogwinMusic]

but... you can EQ both....

[@lovemesomepollo]

@@RogwinMusic well sure, but no substitute for organic unplugged sound

[@xclarityy4034]

What model martin are you playing it sounds wonderful?

[@jamesmack8504]

Hi Paul, Very good comparison! The songs you played are intriguing. What is the name of the first one you played?