Rosewood vs. Mahogany Guitars: The Ultimate Tone Comparison Guide

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

The little comparison at the end makes it very clear

[@isadorealire5722]

I have always had mahogany back and sides guitars (well, walnut as well). I purchased my first adi-rosewood (Yairi) a little while back and love the snap and and articulation. It's a completely different kind of punch to your body.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

I HAVE THE ROSEWOOD BACK AND SIDES AND I JUST LOVE THE SMELL OF ROSES. IT ALSO SOUNDS VERY ROSIE .

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great description, @isadore alire, thanks for tuning in! Pleased you're loving your Yairi. 👍

[@jonprice3063]

@@TRICK-OR-TREAT236 rosewood is not associated with roses...roses don't make trees or hardwood. Roses are a shrub. But yes, a rosewood guitar does smell wonderful. 🙂

[@daedalusjones4228]

I would love to get a Seagull Artist Studio. Solid rosewood body, spruce (I think) top, nut 1.8".

[@jmsamborski]

You have a Sitka spruce/rosewood Yairi. Adirondack hasn’t been an option with rosewood until this year 2024, and they still have yet to ship.

[@damonlove8]

I love Mahogany. It has that warm, mellow, woody & roundness that I cant find on Rosewood. For me, a mahogany guitar is how an acoustic guitar should sound like. Even the great pre-war vintage Martins sounds all mahogany to my ears. Sometimes a rosewood can be too bright / shrill to my ears.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great feedback, Damon, thanks for watching 👍

[@marcdellorusso180]

Yeah, mahogany gives you a more balanced and warmer sound. Rosewood sounds good as well though. One of each is ideal.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

@@marcdellorusso180 we agree, each are special.

[@752brickie]

Yes I agree Mahogany is the better sounding wood for my ears.

[@cooloutac]

Rosewood is way more bassy, so much so it's muddy and muffled to me compared to Mahogany which is open and clear.

[@2011Noud]

I've always had preference for the rosewood bodied dreadnoughts. Most of the time mahogany sounds somewhat drier with less overtones due to these characteristics it tends to separate a bit better, however, I owe a Levin W32 mahogany bodied guitar from 1975 but with an ebony fingerboard that really is sounding like a rosewood bodied guitar so the way a guitar has been built remains one of the most important parts in creating a sound. Just check "Year of the Cat - Intro for guitar" Noud Koevoets,

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Rosewood is harder and has more “ reflection”. Reflection is the best way I’ve ever heard it described. I just love the ringing overtones that go on forever with rosewood. Especially when you hit that full sounding bluegrass G chord

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for watching, Johnny!

[@daedalusjones4228]

I've heard that maple has the most pure reflection in that it doesn't color the sound -- it just reflects the sound of the strings (and the top). I have a Seagull Performer with laminate maple body. It does cut through, as far as volume/punch.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

@@daedalusjones4228 yep that’s true. But they are also quite bright. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to the player. I know Gibson Doves are Maple and they are bright and jangly. I’d love to have one in the collection. I tend to like a variety of things but I definitely prefer rosewood for my everyday guitar 👍🏻 But I’m talking about solid maple guitars too. Laminate prob doesn’t color sound much but solid maple definitely has its own character

[@daedalusjones4228]

I want a solid rosewood guitar. I want a Seagull Artist Studio. Solid rosewood, with 1.8 inch nut.

[@timothylawrence707]

I bought a couple of new Alvarez-Yairis way back in 1982 - a DY60 six string anniversary model celebrating 60 years of St. Louis Music and a DY76 twelve string. The DY60 has a spruce top with ash sides and back while the DY76 has a spruce top with rosewood sides and back. I still have them forty years later and will never sell them.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

That's fantastic, Timothy, thanks for sharing that!

[@matthewmiller6817]

I have the yairi dym60hd and I'm telling you ,that is one of the best guitars I ever played...if you're looking at this guitar do yourself a favor and just buy it..you won't regret it.Yairi for life

[@andyginterblues2961]

I could kick myself for passing on a Yairi that was for sale at my local guitar store. Someone had fitted the guitar with one of those pickups with the input jack in the strap button. I will grab the next Yairi that I find. I've owned two Artist's series Alvarez, an AD70, which I sold, I now own an AD60, which I will never sell.

[@mikecole4489]

That mahogany sounds CRAZY GOOD

[@lhvent]

Great explanation on the difference between the various tonewoods

[@andrewhnorris1]

These really are great videos. I love that you address the subject in hand rather than just push your own guitars. I think in the bigger picture it's very good for your brand image.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

We appreciate the feedback, @andrewhnorris1. Thanks for tuning in, what would you like to see next? 👍

[@benwood7132]

That intro jam was very nice fellas! I’ve watched all of this series and you all play nicely and demo the guitars well, but today, that was really musical and grooving. As for the topic at hand, I’ve only had mahogany, like on the Regents I’ve owned, and just (FINALLY) got my FYM66HD, and so, I have to say, I favor mahogany heavily.

[@benwood7132]

@OLX kidstaff I have played other people’s rosewood guitars. Nothing wrong with them, but they’re a bit harsh on the treble end for what I like to play and hear. The clear and distinct bass on rosewood is nice though!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks very much, Ben, and really happy to hear your FYM66HD is with you now! Hope you're loving it.

[@benwood7132]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial I’m over the moon, and it was well worth the wait! It’s truly a remarkable instrument. I sincerely can’t say it has a weakness. I don’t know if I’ll need to ever buy another acoustic guitar. And for the rarity of materials and quality of the materials and the world class hand built workmanship…you wouldn’t sniff it for under $5k if it had a different name on the headstock. Great job and INSANE value from you all and the fine folks at Yairi in Japan!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

@@benwood7132 This is the most beautiful thing we've read all day. So happy you love your Yairi, we're confident it will love you back for many years to come.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Rosewood has more sustain and a piano like lingering ring to it. Mahogany seems dry and thumpy to me. Not a bad thing if that’s what you like.

[@lonnieezell]

For me, sitting around playing guitar alone or with a small group, I love the warmth of Mahogany. But they each have their role. The brighter overtones and the scooped frequency can be great to allow other instruments to sit better in the mix, or to provide that shimmer in the rhythm.

[@johnnydogg746]

I have the MD60BG and it's one of them instruments you just dont want to put down.i was always a huge fan of the Regent series of Alvarez, I have 3 RD10 's out on loan right now, but iv played them,cheap to the rarest of guitars and I have less than a thousand dollars in that bluegrass model and hands down, one if the best, most consistent ,cause iv played several different ones,they are consistent as any big name brands...great job on many years of excellence and quality......

[@jazzup13]

Very interesting! Learnt a lot! Thank you 👍

[@lesterpaul9657]

Of course there are differences in sound. But more important for the sound is the top wood. You can have great sounding guitars with laminated backs and sides but never with a laminated top, spruce or cedar or whatever.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great comment, Lester. No doubt if built correctly, only a solid tip can release optimal energy. We'll do some deep dive episodes on laminates as well. Good convos ahead. 👍

[@StrawHearts823]

Man the glossiness of that guitars are superb!!

[@henrikholst477]

Hardness is one thing. I believe that it is better to talk about the natural frequency for the materials. Or speed of sound in the material . They are both dependent on the Young's modulus (stiffness) and the density. In relation to each other, division. Tone woods have high natural frequencies. And also one more thing that I believe is important, low internal damping. I am engineer. Thanks for the video.

[@paulajohnson6409]

I just purchased a solid Rosewood Z420SE guitar from Zaar guitars. I think Rosewood is top of the line.

[@zzCaptHowdy]

My Alvarez AGE910 Artist Elite Deluxe is Macasser Ebony ... it's so bright and sparkly..but it still has some of that warm low end to back up the sparkle.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

That’s a beautiful guitar, @zzCaptHowdy, thank you for watching 👍

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Professional tone and excellent quality , I like the finishes 🏆✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@nickspitzley8539]

Great explanation. The high end and low end isn't lost with rosewood so this is why it's also louder. Mahogany not pushing all the frequencies back from it like rosewood means some volume is absorbed into the wood but the tone is sweeter. So it's also a matter of loud perhaps harsh vs less volume but sweeter to me. That's how I look at it! And then when you take mahogany and use it for the whole body something absolutely magic happens In My opinion.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great thoughts here, Nick. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Chris’ enthusiasm for Alvarez reminds me of a less cracked out Paul Reed Smith. They found the right guy for the job.

[@thseed7]

Love the warmth if Mahogany back/sides. Would love to see a solid Rosewood neck though

[@derekfromtauranga6012]

Someone who I can’t remember said the guitar top is the meal and the back and sides are the seasoning! 🤗🤗🤗

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Ha! Great description. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kiwiviolin941]

hello alvarez, what do you think of a cedar top and a rosewood back? i think it might suit finger picking as well as for strumming...if there is none and if you make one, pls can i have one for free for the idea :)

[@752brickie]

My one Martin has Koa back and sides. My Alvarez' are softer wood and you are right- they all have a different sound.

[@markharwood7573]

My MPA66ESHB is all African mahogany. For me, it does everything, with or without its excellent pickup & preamp. The power is terrific and it's not even played in yet. To anyone who is looking at parlour guitars, I say, buy one now, while it's available.

[@Relayer6a]

The Rosewood is more dynamic on the top and bottom. You hit the strings harder and you sound really pops. Mahogany is mellower. TO ME. 🙂

[@giannirocco7492]

I've always preferred mahogany guitars to rosewood.Had a beautiful old D-28 but liked my D-18 better,hell,I liked my old L-1 better!Didn't have a hard time selling the Martin,it was truly a great guitar but I just prefer mahogany...

[@jorggoldstein4367]

I have a Yairi DY62 which is Mahagoni and a DY96 made of Brasilian rosewood and they sounds very nice. The DY 62 is sounding more harder than the DY96 which sounds very warm.

[@rareform6747]

Both amps in back ground are Monsters !

[@524coconut]

I love that a lot of companies are being more transparent about stuff like this. Martin kind of has the secret sauce approach. Our guitars sound good because secret sauce where other companies are just telling you that rosewood sounds like x and mahogany is y. On isn’t better than the other

[@bobhulquist9902]

Like both , have both

[@crouch0746]

Excellent episode, but I'm left wondering if wood hardness per se is THE dominant factor in determining guitar sound quality. I have 34 guitars. Of the 5 that sound best to me, 3 have Sitka spruce tops, 1 Adirondack spruce (Martin OMC-18 Laurence Juber Custom), and 1 mahogany (Alvarez Yairi Masterworks Folk OM). One has Indian rosewood back & sides (Martin HD-28), two mahogany (Martin OMC-18 and the Alvarez Yairi) and two ovongkol (Martin OMC-16ce and Epiphone Excellente).

[@Red_1956]

Got a question, are your master works guitars ready to go out of the box, without having them put through the plex machine? Just wondering?

[@Dream-Academy]

Factual hardnesses of teh woods discussed are 2,790 Brazilian rosewood 2,440 indian rosewood, Mahogany 800, African mahogany Khaya 830, I have owned numerous Braz back & side great acoustic guitars and electric guitars with Braz and it is still the best sounding wood for back and sides and arguably for fingerboard. It's easy to take treble and bass away but not easy to add it of its not there. The only wood that can compete is Ebony which has an even higher hardness at 3.220. I have a Goodall EGC guitar with Maccassar Ebony back and sides and its a mind blowingly good sounding guitar. Who would have thought ebony for back and sides bt there you are....

[@alangolias8628]

Used to work at guild 1971 Hoboken rosewood was the top of the line woodjohn Denver had a rosewood d 50

[@daedalusjones4228]

The Godin company, in Canada, makes guitar bodies out of Canadien Wild Cherry -- largely because of availability (and Godin has now bought the forests). But the cherry sounds really great!!!

[@daedalusjones4228]

@yumpladukfoo I love the cedar top with the wild cherry body. I own several Seagulls/Godins. Honestly, I think that with the original -- the S6 Original (mine has concert hall body) -- they really hit the sweet spot -- the perfect combination, for me. I have a Seagull Performer, with spruce top and laminated maple body. But I prefer cedar to spruce -- and I think I prefer cherry to maple (though they are said to be similar in hardness). But again, the COMBO of cedar and cherry? Perfect. That guitar rings like a bell.

[@hellomagar5063]

All solid guitar with sikta spruce top and mahogany back and sides vs solid (top-back) guitar with sikta spruce top and rosewood back and side , which one i should go for at same price? Does only laminated sides make that difference?

[@anthonylane9547]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on Madagascar Rosewood Chris. I've heard it said it's between an Indian rosewood and a Brazilian Rosewood in sound.

[@MrLeavemikealone]

I have a vintage Alvarez 5059 with rosewood and love it. Is there somewhere to date the six digit serial number? I'm roughly thinking it's 70's only because the guy I bought it from listed it that way and; it doesn't have a 4 digit format. Subscribed!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for commenting, please send your question to alvarezguitars.com/contact-us/ 👍

[@johngalt6838]

Each tone wood is better at some aspect...projection on stage, recording clarity, warm bass, bright high......they're all great.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

We totally agree, John. Thanks for tuning in!

[@Southernguitar74]

I prefer mahogany over rosewood almost every time. There’s just something about hog that sounds right to me. For a more “reflective” sound, I really like maple.

[@garywatkins5757]

Like asking is a hammer better than a screwdriver?

[@stewartmcardle8149]

Exceptional insight into the differences between tonewoods.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks Stewart! 👍

[@thorsteinheinz4719]

fantastic acoustic jam👍👋

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for watching, Thorstein 👍

[@lebe220]

I´ve got a guitarlele made of ebony. Sounds great.

[@bighes100]

I'm a simple man, i love a dark wood guitar it just looks so cool. Hence i bought a dark mahogany Tanglewood acoustic... the rich tone is great 👍

[@bobaldo2339]

You really need both! And, by the way, African Mahogany is somewhat harder than Honduran Mahogany.

[@crazylikeafox1000]

Are apples better than oranges?

[@MyWordPressGuy]

Maple's harder than rosewood. My Alvarez is maple back and sides...it's a cutaway jumbo, which is boomy to my ears in rosewood, definitely in mahogany...but the maple adds treble while keeping the volume...the added brightness allows it to cut through other acoustics which is great for lead.

[@danlawson3986]

To answer the title without watching the vid. Both are great. Hog 4 my money is warmer and louder. RW sweeter and a bit deeper. I played alot of both while i was running the woodshop at Larrivee

[@chico280]

In this comparison, the Hog sounds better. I'm a fan of rosewood though.

[@Samana009]

The "real" mahogany is the swietenia macrophylla. Some would call Honduras mahogany... but I don't know why, because It is the same specie from Brazil, and the area that they grow in Brazil is, at least, 5 times the size of the whole Honduras country. It should be call Brazilian Mahogany. In the 80's was the most expensive wood coming out from the South America.

[@ChiknEatnBaptist]

I have a martin D18ge with Honduran mahogany back and sides with an Adi spruce top. The mahogany is so dark that many people think it is rosewood at first glance. Honduran mahogany rules.

[@philipdeppen3189]

@@ChiknEatnBaptistlol it’s dark because it’s stained dark duh. No mahogany is naturally dark. Any wood can be stained any color or shade as long as the stain is darker than the wood being stained.

[@raymillard5624]

Can a guy get a md 60bg with a sunburst top?

[@davidhirst1661]

They're both excellent, but have clear differences. The mahogany ones have more middle projection and delineation and suit fingerpicking and flatpicking where you want each note to ring clearly individually. Doc Watson the greatest bluegrass player used mahogany (started with Martin D18). Whereas rosewood is way better for those classic jangle bright sound like Cash, Dylan, Young, more strumming and picking. Horses for courses. Of course it's all about what you like because Tony Rice that other master of bluegrass likes rosewood. If you can't decide cedar is somewhere in the middle, bright, but with slightly darker tones than rosewood. By the way cedar is mostly for the tops.

[@LT.X380]

Both have a special sound.

[@nicholascowie5944]

The differences are subtle to say the least, just noticeable in the treble notes. I'd bet to most people though they sound pretty much the same. I can much more easily hear differences in cedar mahogany and spruce tops. My AGE95CESHB ebony/cedar is noticeably warmer and mellower than my spruce/rosewood. A great looking guitar too and proof positive that a well built guitar with laminate back and sides cannot be considered in anyway inferior.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great thoughts here, Nicholas. The AGE95 is a great guitar. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@cowboybob0452]

Love the jam. I have other mahogany and Indian rosewood. I also have acacia famose and it seem to be the combo of both with the woody sound and the punch,mthanks for the videos

[@GG-Anaximander]

Rosewood exist to make a change and have the overtone for the most part. It is musically inferior to Mahogany, in my opinion.

[@Fugettaboutit]

Mahogany - warm, big chords with a sweet voice. Rosewood - snap, brilliance and definition with finger style, tight lows.

[@rowbags3017]

Thanks for the clear and interesting comparison. Of course, it's made me want all three of the guitars featured! 😉 I've just bought a MD70BG and it's due to arrive tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to trying it! 😎

[@bradgriffith4231]

I have all 3 combos made by Guild. This sound is pretty accurate

[@markhusbands2037]

Mahogany and rose wood were both used for fine furniture so they were around and people knew them as "fine" woods.

[@lesterpaul9657]

And which wardrobe sounds better? Those with mahagony or rosewood?😊 It' s about soundwoods.

[@markhusbands2037]

@@lesterpaul9657 Not in terms of the reason those two woods became "traditional" soundwoods. It was about familiarity, availability, and cosmetic esteem. The "wine-tasting" approach to soundwoods appears to have followed.

[@jeffthevideoguy23]

How about roseogany?

[@mitchmalloy3468]

Almost always for me yes. But like in anything there is no best. Except for me of course. Heh heh..

[@swaroopsinha1738]

Nice

[@JesusSavesJohn3verse16]

Thank you for the excellent video 😊 The Lord’s love + grace be with you Hope you are all well and resting in Jesus saving love + grace 😊 Blessings friends 😊

[@clayton56tube]

prefer mahogany, I like a little spread and air in the tone and less bass. But to me guitar is a backup instrument so want atmosphere over penetration.

[@prophetsnake]

Spanish guitars don't normally use cedar for back and sides, they use Cypress. Torres also used maple for back and sides, and some of his most famous guitars were constructed of that material.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hi ProphetSnake, thank you for your comment, we don't use Cedar for backs and sides, and agree Cypress is the chosen wood for Flamenco guitars.

[@KevinMillard68]

there is no better then the other its all personal preference not price not style or wood type not even strings nothing but preeference thats what makes one better then the other to each person even price makes no difference ,.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for your thoughts, Kevin, that's also what we discussed in this episode. Every player is different and likes and looks for different things. That's what makes guitar-building fun! Thanks for watching 👍

[@brianhoey1107]

I've watched a few of your very interesting videos and wonder if it's a coincidence that you three all have north eastern English accents, as do I.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for watching, Brian, and not a confidence! Where are you from?

[@brianhoey1107]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial I'm originally from Hartlepool but moved away at the age of 19. I've lived in various different places but have been based in Washington, Tyne and Wear, for many years now. (I lived in western Massachusetts for a while and when people heard I was from Washington they would ask "DC?" I would reply "Yes, Durham County".) Your videos are very informative for all players of acoustic guitars, not just a sales pitch for Alvarez. I saw JP Cormier's review of the FYM66HD and was interested to try one to see how it compares with my Mahogany top Taylor 322e but discovered that St. Louis Music doesn't distribute in the UK. There only seems to be 3 UK dealers that stock Alvarez and they don't seem to have that model. Oh well! Keep the videos coming, I been playing for over 50 years but am still learning a canny bit from them.

[@leeoffender8406]

You tap a piece of rosewood on a tabletop it sounds almost like glass. Mahogany is comparatively soft. I knew a guy who built authentic western stagecoaches and buggies, sold them all over the world. Sold a couple to hollywood. He built each wheel component from a specific wood, each selected for a particular integral characteristic. As I recall the spokes were hickory, for obvious reasons, but the hubs were elm, because while there were stronger, harder species, elm was most inherently resistant to friction.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

That sounds like a pretty fun job.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Horses for courses. In a classical guitar, which is a very quiet instrument (with a tone that dies quickly), mahogany absorbs too much of the tonal picture and does not reflect it back towards the audience. So for the concert classical guitar, wood harder than mahogany must be used for the instrument to project well enough. But for the steel string acoustic guitar, which is a much louder instrument, mahogany can work better.

[@louisfryzel4618]

I didn't know the MD60BG has back and sides of African Mahogany ... not the "true" Honduran mahogany.

[@manoglzinn]

Instead of comparing, why not made a mahogany AND rosewood guitar?

[@fedexnman]

Needed more A/B and less talking guys .

[@ZionForman]

mahogany > rosewood

[@dg111fu]

Mahogany always sounded less articulate and more muddy to me. The frequencies sound fatter, and less raspy than Rosewood. I always say Mahogany sounds "pillowy" and rosewood sounds "raspy" or "spicy".

[@dg111fu]

Ok, so update here. I bought an FYM60HD which is an OM shape with mahogany back and sides and adirondack spruce top. I bought it because this shape and wood combination sounds to me like it works really well for 1) mid range tones and 2) warm fingerstyle picking (though ive heard that when you dig in with strumming you get a lot of deeper bass tones). I think adirondack spruce in the OM shape keeps the mid range notes very articulate while maintaining the warmth of mahogany. I never thought I'd buy a mahogany back and sides guitar but this combination really seems to work when you want articulate and warm tones (so like warm ambient guitar, not bluegrass flat picking).

[@MrBallynally2]

Mahogany is almost too generic a name. Its quality differs widely. Rosewood is much more narrow band. As the top of the guitar generates most of the sound the back and sides mainly amplify. A laminate can actually be very good here..

[@mypronounismaster4450]

cut down trees. attach steel cables. hit cables with hammer. which trees sound better? seems kinda silly when you think about it.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Not to us, or to any guitar maker…which is probably why we made a talk show about it. 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@bimwopbarn47]

the mahogany sounded better but it may be because the guitarist played it better

[@Guitar387]

The Rosewood sounded a bit, too harsh and bright to my ears, the Mahogany one sounded better in that comparison to me

[@ohrofax]

rosewood isn´t not better than mahogany only slightly differend, sound of the bracing and the top material is deciding

[@jasperchance3382]

Rosewood is the strat and mahogany is the les paul.

[@JesusSavesJohn3verse16]

John 3 verse 16 ^_^ please search the Gospel (Bible) all who read this. Your soul is far to precious to gamble in thinking there is no hell or need for salvation in The Lord Jesus Blessings friends ^_^

[@darrellblanchard2362]

No. It is just different.

[@banjo1434]

Prefer the hog at the end there.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for watching, @Banjo 👍

[@grog5564]

I love my Koa for the tone. No comparison.

[@antonioalvarado1541]

You should have used graphics to understand some of the things they're saying and the conversation should have been more structured.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for the feedback, Antonio. 👍

[@douglasthompson9070]

This is a 15 minute commercial.

[@joseortiz287]

It's informative!!!

[@mikethomson4290]

No, you need both

[@scottbaxendale323]

The header is stupid. Being different doesn’t make one better. Wood only colors the tone. The soul of the tone is in the design of the guitar not the woods it is made from.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

The "soul" of the tone is a great concept. Tone does come from the wood, but design is key, so we're agreed on that. (And arguably, above all, the player.)

[@normt6226]

In my experience...Rosewood is a more ''sophisticated'' tone wood...If you are a strummer and want to be heard...go with Mahogany...If you are a finger picker and like overtones go with Rosewood...The better you get at playing guitar, the more you will tend to Rosewood...Great guitarists don't want a guitar to projects...they want it to sound good...

[@davidbarbour9929]

Yes! Perfect explanation.

[@jackwalker1822]

I'm a strummer and flatpicker and I just like mahogany better. For me the rosewood is too booming. Which is probably a near meaningless term. Really I can't explain why, but I think it just depends on the playing style and the ear of the player which they may prefer.

[@G_Demolished]

That’s funny. I’ve been playing 35 years and I’m still not looking to trade in my D18. How soon should I be expecting the transition? 😂

[@ej2796]

I'm a strummer, and my favorite guitar I have (the best *sounding guitar *imo I've ever played or even heard actually. Lucky me lol) is rosewood. The rich overtones when you strum softer, and the growly, almost distortion like overdriven lows when you really dig into them hard is just "where it's all at" for me. But for recording purposes, mahogany is usually gonna sit in a mix better...so it's the sound most of us have come to know and love in our favorite songs that feature prominent acoustic guitar strumming. Tho rosewood shines awesome in recordings when it's just guitar. I dont know much about classical guitar music (or classical guitars), but i know enough to know that most high end classical guitars are rosewood. And they can be insanely expensive (Outrageously actually 😂). But I assume that's why classical players prefer rosewood.

[@Derek-rv3ee]

Is no one talking about the elephant in the room; the ugly as sin bridge and pickguards?!

[@Blkojo]

No elephant. The bridge design is stronger than traditional and transfers string vibrations more efficiently. All to do with the downward pressure on the saddle and the anchoring of the pins.

[@daedalusjones4228]

Mahogany has always sounded a little muddy to me, compared to rosewood.

[@G_Demolished]

Precisely backwards 😊

[@thielnyc]

@@G_Demolished --- So, you think that mahogany is harder and denser than rosewood? You're the one who has things ass backwards. I assume that you also think that ebony is harder and denser than spruce, right?

[@daedalusjones4228]

@@thielnyc -- Thanks Daedalus. I just love being "corrected" by people who don't have the slightest clue what they are talking about. Guitar related woods and their Janka (hardness) ratings. These are common tone woods for guitars. (Balsa wood is the softest wood. It has a Janka rating of 70.) Blackwood 3670 Macassar Ebony 3250 Gaboon Ebony 3220 Cocobolo 2960 Zirocote 2200 Bubinga 1980 Indian rosewood 1660 Hard/Birdseye/Curly Hard Maple 1450 Sapele 1410 Swamp Ash 1320 (varies greatly!) South American Mahogany 1200 American Walnut 1010 American Cherry 950 Soft/Curly Soft Maple 950 African Mahogany 830 Alder 590 Poplar 540 Sitka Spruce 510 Redwood 420 Basswood 410 Sugar/White Pine 380

[@daedalusjones4228]

And Bamboo has a Janka rating of 3014. Harder than oak or maple or rosewood or mahogany, And light as hell. Luna makes guitars made of bamboo -- and they sound pretty good!

[@G_Demolished]

@@thielnyc I assume you think a straw man is a logically sound tactic. Piss off. Mahogany is clearer and cuts through better in a mix. This is well established and I’m not wasting time educating you.

[@davidsalmon7194]

Orderedcan alvarez masterworks from Andertons....never ever again... complete junk .. 💩

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hi David, we're sorry to hear you had a bad experience with your order. Anything we can support with, please reach out to us at [e-mail].

[@richardmckrell4899]

Every jam sounds the same.

[@WickBeavers]

Holy smokes... I got up to take a dump- and they're long affairs- and you guys are still sitting there yacking. Maybe you took dumps, too? See ya!

[@OnIoN4UrTrUbLeS]

Cringe