MAHOGANY vs. SPRUCE | Which Guitar Tonewood is BEST? | Tone Testers

[@orangewoodguitars]

Which sound did YOU like better, Mahogany or Spruce?

[@paca_bill4863]

I was surprised there wasn't that much difference between the two, as least without listening through headphones on the playback (and KZbin's "high quality audio". I've owned the Morgan Mahogany Live (solid top, layered sides/back) for three years now, and I am extremely happy with the tone and quality of sound I get from it. It definitely has a warmer tone than several other 6 string guitars I own from other manufacturers.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Excellent presentation. Well planned. Brief and to the point. Very well done. I love the clarity and projection of spruce, the fidelity if you will. Yet, when I play or hear a good mahogany top guitar, I love the softer, slightly warmer, woody tone. Damn. To quote The Lovin' Spoonful, "Did You Every Have to Make up Your Mind?"

[@eugenemichael9833]

Spruce by a Mile

[@woodandmetal3107]

Mahogany all day

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Mahogany has a lot more 2nd order harmonic distortions, especially noticeable in real life, which creates that classic tube-amp sweetness. It may be too much depending on your use, so you can go with the spruce. But if you play very quietly on mahogany, its got that symphonic glow.

[@mrbassman7184]

I just bought a mahogany guitar (Sigma) in a guitar shop, and after youtubing a bit on that out of curiosity, this video was suggested to me. I largely agree with the conclusions. To me, spruce has a slight mid scoop and more bass that goes very well with strumming but single notes sound thinner. Call it balanced if you will, but I think it truly depends on your playing style. With mahogany, you get very pronounced mids and less bass, great for soloing but strumming may sound a bit too aggressive. I noticed I shy away a little from strumming with my new guitar, but I noticed I do get used to it. I like to play melody lines with a very thick and completely stiff pick, but for strumming, a medium thin one works best. That's probably even more true on a mahogany guitar. Even though I strum quite a lot, I think I made the right choice. I'm also into jazz and play chords all over the neck, and I desire a warm, mellow sound both for chords and melodies. I really don't care about a lot of treble, and I find the stronger, warmer mids of this mahogany guitar make me perceive the highs as less pronounced. They still are there though, offering presence. The sound is more full bodied for my taste. If I find I ever need to tame the strumming a bit, a bit of eq might well do the trick. I rather cut something that there is too much of in the sound, than try to create something that isn't there in the first place, if that makes sense.

[@sunman108]

Just bought Sigma mahagony. Cant wait to receive. 🎉

[@lurklingX]

fantastic! and it's true, a lot of tests don't set all other factors even!

[@dougcrowe1226]

Nice! Great to see the analyzer while its played. I was surprised at how close the two really are. You did say they were similar builds i wonder if they were constructed to have more difference intentionally what it would look like on the analyzer. I didn’t catch what the back and side wood was. Those may factor in also. Im a spruce player but i am interested in mahogany for a different tonal range

[@orangewoodguitars]

The back & side wood on both of the guitars featured in this video are Solid Mahogany.

[@KheironHeals]

I just bought the sage yesterday. I haven't played in a long time. First guitar I've bought in years, and I'm super excited!

[@adriansilva43]

Excellent video!!! I enjoy so much see the analyzer and hear the strings

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Excellent presentation. Well planned. Brief and to the point. Very well done. I love the clarity and projection of spruce, the fidelity if you will. Yet, when I play or hear a good mahogany top guitar, I love the softer, slightly warmer, woody tone. Damn. To quote The Lovin' Spoonful, "Did You Every Have to Make up Your Mind?"

[@Doowopsid]

I agree with you

[@domagojoinky8262]

Spruce has a more pronounced 1k range and responds better to pick. Mahogany sounds better for fingerstyle.

[@bobryan7722]

Loved the mahogany warm tone. Spruce too bright (treble too in your face) for my taste. Thanks for a very fair comparison with identical features except the wood. Never seen (heard) this done before.

[@AimingWanderously]

The other thing to consider: the average Joe, who's not recording or performing, sitting around a bonfire with friends- you cannot tell the slightest difference, so get what looks good to you and don't fret the small details.

[@citoante]

Well, Mahogany Martin is cheaper because it doesn’t look as good.

[@AimingWanderously]

@@citoante "Doesn't look as good" is purely subjective; as many people may disagree with this statement as would agree.

[@citoante]

@@AimingWanderously my statement is generally true. Brown guitar is not that “Martin look”.

[@iowasucks9494]

@@citoantei know nothing about guitars and have no idea what youre talking about. Mahogany is my favorite wood color though next to American walnut.

[@citoante]

@@iowasucks9494 I’m generalizing. The regular spruce just had that Martin look that people want.

[@michelwander7220]

I wonder what effect the pickguard has on the vibration patterns of the top. That was the one inconsistency I noticed in the test baseline. Additionally, the players can affect the tone as well...that being said, we have a cedar, a spruce, and mahogany guitars ready to play (...and yes, some are even Orangewood). 😁

[@theglobol]

now this is a good comparison, great job!

[@thejesusfreakkid]

great videooo. Saving up for an orangewood sierra right now. cant wait

[@Anonymous99997]

I like Spruce for fingerpicking and Mahogany for strumming.

[@gearhead4005]

I agree

[@Dwoed]

And for pick picking? Thnx

[@romansupaman]

great video & testing method!

[@CarlosGonzalez-tx4cb]

I think there’s also a huge difference between the spruce being torrified and not. Because most guitars aren’t torrified until getting into the higher end, a much better comparison would be natural spruce vs mahogany.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Why is there no "torrified mahogany"?

[@CarlosGonzalez-tx4cb]

@@pharmerdavid1432 because if they’re building guitars correctly, the sides are already dried for over 10 years to ensure there isn’t any moisture that would cause cracking. Torrifying it would be redundant. If you build guitar with wood that was just cut down, you’re asking for it to crack and warp. Also I’m not an expert, but I mahogany is a hard wood and my guess is that torrifaction has a smaller impact on hard woods than a soft wood like spruce

[@DIDCHOI]

I'd explain it as the mahogany having more mids, which makes the lows and high mids/treble sound more subdued. Spruce carves out those low mids, which makes it a little cleaner sounding, brighter sounding. Smiley face EQ. I would say Spruce sits better in a mix for this reason, doesn't compete for so much frequencies. Maybe shift some of the presence so it doesn't interfere with the voice or hi-hats, and it'll be great. The mahogany would take little more carving here and there, around 200-800Hz.

[@end.olives]

Thats a really cool take on it, thanks?

[@DjNikGnashers]

I have a Lowden with Sitka spruce top, and Indian rosewood back and sides. I think the tone of a guitar relies more on the construction, and bracing, than the woods used. I am looking at a Sinker redwood top with African blackwood back and sides, as I think this has a slightly more 'warm' sound.

[@Kingepticon]

I just ordered a guitar with an Adirondack red spruce top and Madagascar rosewood back & sides. Two woods I’ve never had on a guitar before. Now I have to wait almost a year for it to be built.

[@hardpivot]

Stoked to be playing these guitars. This one's a toss up for me, I'd get one of each 😬

[@BrunoHenriquesHasper1]

Great comparison, scientific and artistic with the best set possible.

[@jonmars9559]

I'm still wondering what kind of mahogany is used in these guitars. As an aged woodworker, I think of mahogany as Honduras Mahogany but that's not really been available for some time. Sapele is often referred to as mahogany but it's really a different material than traditional mahogany. There's also a real dark Peruvian Mahogany related to Honduras Mahogany I've used in the past but I haven't seen that around for a very long time. I've also wondered whether the mahogany on these guitars has been stained to give it a more uniform color or if it is the natural tone?

[@gogotrololo]

I love the comparison with a scientific approach here. Have an idea, control variables, experiment, observe, review the data, make some conclusions.... Its how every comparison video should be made! I think the conclusions were good, no surprise for me, but affirming that ive been telling people good advice my whole life. Mahogany tops are more chill and cooperative, where spruce is looking to jump out and take the spotlight. If you're playing acoustic bossa nova, you want that luxurious mahogany! Haha

[@jayman1338]

That’s odd. For my ears it’s like the mahogany was actually brighter. Unusual.

[@irregularjoe1782]

Would someone please try Yellow Poplar for a guitar top? On paper the average characteristics (density, strength, elasticity, shrinkage etc) are very similar to Sitka spruce. To maximize strength and stability, improve aesthetics, minimize weight - use true quartered splits rather than resawing to avoid runout and then “bake” it after thoroughly drying (not quite torrified). The greenish color turns a lovely light brown.

[@nanto88]

great comparison! thank you

[@chuchuchip]

I just like the look of Mahogany.

[@Doowopsid]

Another great video. What strings would you recommend using on the mahogany guitar to generate a bright but resonant sound? I typically use D’Addario EJ16 but am wondering if there is a more preferred type or gauge? I realize it comes down to personal preference. Thank you

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

EB aluminum bronze Brighter/better string to string definition and increased volume.

[@mattnelson8325]

Great video. Mahogany for me.

[@mickeogh]

great video thanks, how would cedar fit into the comparison??

[@paulw.3967]

I want to see a comparison where you adjust the EQ and levels to see just similar you can make them sound. (The resonances in an acoustic guitar mostly act as an impulse response filter with effects on the frequency response function.) I've never thought I need a warm/dark guitar because I can always use my spruce-topped guitar and roll off the treble a bit. Another interesting comparison would be a three-way comparison between spruce, mahogany and a cheaper laminate top. My cheap laminate-topped guitar sounds a little less lively and detailed than my solid spruce-topped guitar, but still pretty good, and it's not clear to me how that's different from a mahogany-topped guitar. Again level- and EQ-matching would be interesting. Unless you're a solo guitarist, most of the time the guitar is going to be EQ'd anyway to fit into a mix (either live w/band or recorded), and the first thing that's likely to happen to your lovely guitar sound is that the engineer will roll of the bass to make room for the bass instrument and/or low drums, or scoop the mids or roll off the treble to make room for a vocal or other instrument in that range. Fine subtleties of guitar tones are usually mostly masked by other instruments in the mix.

[@JJAlRo]

Mahogany all the way, great video! 👌🏼

[@jonathanmoises694]

Mahogany for the sad ppl that like to play blues 💔 Spruce for the ppl who are happy ppl 🙂 and wanna play happy stuff

[@Zed.90]

so it's gonna be mahagony - alright

[@jonathanmoises694]

@@Zed.90 exactly what I went with 👍🏼

[@dimitris70]

Interesting comment Except from the tone There's the colour I prefer the mahogany.. haha 😊 And yes agree with you I belong to the blues side ...haha 😢

[@itaintmebabe714]

The mahogany is more balanced and the spruce is louder. If you put higher gauge strings on the spruce it will be more balanced and louder

[@Doowopsid]

Agreed but what strings would you recommend for the mahogany to get a similar sound?

[@nigelbriggsmusic]

The problem with these comparison videos is even though you've eliminated pretty much all the variables, the editing isn't showing a direct comparison of the chord progressions. That's just me being too particular I suppose, but if you're playing a progression that starts on lower chords then goes up, show the same low and high chord movement to get a direct A-B. Nevermind me though, these videos are great at head to head comparisons!

[@joesegretto6689]

Where does black walnut fit on your list

[@THESHR3DS1324]

What if I like the look of the spruce color but I like the sound of the mahogany

[@soundofreality]

That’s where I am too…

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

It is all on personal taste and needs...

[@donvittoriosierra]

The sm57 rolls off the frequencies. Not really suitable for acoustic guitar so I couldnt hear everything you guys were hearing in the studio

[@audioeins]

these guitars seem cool and actually worthy of the cost, although i ordered one, from amazon, and cancelled it (or tried to) within hours, days before it shipped, and made literally 10-15, maybe more, attempts to cancel it via amazon account, and 2 phone calls to customer service, only for it to arrive (and charge me anyway), only to within hours of it arriving, have it labelled and returned for a refund, which my credit card that is maxed, is still awaiting refund. anyone thinking of ordering an orangewood, i would suggest order it from them direct, and perhaps not amazon. i only ordered from amazon because i included other items from amazon to my purchase. or, simply dont make the error i did of ordering a guitar that you still consider too costly for a sandy beach beater guitar (that originally you want nylon strings acoustic anyway) :)

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

They sound very similar but there is a definite difference.

[@vacationrichard974]

Takeaway: they both sound good and are suitable for most applications.

[@BattleToonPwn]

Does anyone know what song this is at 2:48?

[@DeepakYadav-tb7oj]

Does all guitar's get set up before exported to other nations?

[@galeburgess5309]

What about Cedar?

[@bv3bv334]

What about it?

[@yourbasicguy1098]

The more dense the wood, and the more resonant the surface, the better the sound.

[@end.olives]

That if it does not end up resisting to vibrate because of the density

[@lynpugs]

torrified spruce would be opened up because of the procees the mahogany isn't. It would make a difference in the sound, color, everything.

[@slowswimmer9169]

Both (cedar)

[@eddiepark6191]

What about koa?

[@RAMCENSTV]

i like the mahogany

[@MikeHammer1]

Now compare two or more of the identical model of the guitar to see if there is any variability.

[@RobertoCichetti]

i vote for spruce

[@Persillebalzm]

What about testing two examples of the same model? Each piece of wood is different already.

[@serenityjewel]

The Spruce is slightly less bright - that ting’y sound - and the ting is shorter, it cuts off way quicker. I’m not a musician so I don’t know how to say that in technical terms but I hate the ting so I can clearly hear it.

[@beecee6211]

I own the Ava mahogany top guitar, both online sight unseen, sound unheard in June 2024. It's a well built guitar, about a 000 Martin size. that said, however, I'm immensely disappointed in the sound. I find it rather dead compared to my Martin 00-18 (mahogany back/sides, Adirondack spruce top) . I haven't experimented with different strings and have only played using the ones that came from Orangewood. I'm pretty sure I'll not buy another mahogany-top guitar.

[@Itsallawesome]

I’m a pro engineer with a well trained ear. I closed my eyes while listening to the demonstrations and didn’t even notice when the guitar that was playing switched. 😮

[@stevenburton7922]

I thought they were amazing close in sound....much to my surprise

[@rustyquinio3007]

how about mahogany vs walnut

[@robmcalister4750]

yes mate, they have sound and volume through a amp, but my ear's don't hear the TONE that my Martin's and Gibson's acoustic have l have a cheap Yamaha that the Tone and sound and Volume sound just as good as those two guitar's, Rob.

[@markjayfordarayan4939]

Johny Sins playing guitar episode

[@ZorbaTheGreek]

You look handsome like Joaquin Phoenix

[@brentinjapan]

Can’t really tell. You played half on one guitar and half on the other!

[@johnTopOfTheWorld]

Team mahog

[@kristianehussenmaratas6525]

Mahogany had more bass. Spruce had more treble.

[@JoeShmo-1234]

Spruce all day

[@walterhartman3275]

Orangewood's are heavy. Not well known. Buy a Eastman.

[@niteshades_promise]

Eyes closed i hear no difference. Strings will change the tone more dramatically.🤐🍻

[@tomy96175]

Just choose a guitar with mahogany back and spruce top of you want the best of both worlds😎👌

[@Hombre-DJE-Mundo777]

Jaja

[@dawsonispetty]

you gotta love the bald dudes logic... UHH DUH THE MAHOGANY Is GonNa bE wArMer" obviously... because darker colored guitars MUST HAVE LESS TREBLE!... classic example of listening with your EYES. And you've gotta love how he really thinks he's getting scientific with it 😂

[@kazuma240]

DATS NOT COMPARISON....WHY THERE IS NOT SAME CHORD PART PATTERN.. COMPARISON SUCK.