I do it all the time. Yes, you have to make sure you have a suitable piece (as with any top wood) but I find it to be extremely successful.
This is one I finished this summer.
And this is my personal guitar:
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| African Mahogany for a Top http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=44317 |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | African Mahogany for a Top |
I bought a 6 piece African Mahogany set from RC Tonewoods with the intention of building a 12 fret 000. How will African Mahogany be as a top? I realize it may be a matter of the individual piece, but I'm wondering if, in general, it would be as good as Honduras Mahogany... Should I substitute spruce for the top? I'm sure folks have thoughts on this... Thanks, Steve |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
Not having ever actually done it, I see no reason why it shouldn't be done. I would imagine it to be very similar in tone to Honduran. Only one way to find out for sure... |
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| Author: | James Ringelspaugh [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 10:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
The African mahogany I'd dealt with (khaya anyway) has varied wildly in density so it'd be difficult to say without measuring the actual piece. Good top woods are all about having a good stiffness to weight ratio, which spruces have in spades and H. mahogany to a slightly lesser extent (but it's still pretty good compared to most hardwoods). Really the only way to know for sure besides building with it is to get it up on a deflection jig and take some measurements. |
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| Author: | David Newton [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
African is generally denser than Honduras, but if RC matched it all up I would proceed with what you have. Make the back and sides like a regular Mahogany guitar, but the top should finish thinner than a Spruce top, say around .090" Your hand-flexing of the top as it approaches .110" should be your guide as to where to stop. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
This is why I like deflection testing. Just match the stiffness to your normal stats and let the thickness land where it does... |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
I have made 3 and all were killer. 1 dred 2 000-12 |
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| Author: | Pwoolson [ Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
I do it all the time. Yes, you have to make sure you have a suitable piece (as with any top wood) but I find it to be extremely successful. This is one I finished this summer. And this is my personal guitar:
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
Nice end graft! |
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| Author: | neil mchardy [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: African Mahogany for a Top |
I think mahogany soundboards sound fine, nice and mellow and they also have a certain personality. this picture is a recycled wood guitar, (door casings)  
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