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Quilted Sapele As Tonewood? http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=6576 |
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Author: | GregG [ Mon May 08, 2006 5:53 am ] |
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Quilted Sapele is beautiful stuff, anyone have any opinions as to it's tonewood use? Thanks, Greg |
Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Mon May 08, 2006 6:01 am ] |
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Super tonewood you will love it both tone, beauty and workability ![]() |
Author: | Pwoolson [ Mon May 08, 2006 6:42 am ] |
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Pretty much sounds like Mahogany. |
Author: | Mattia Valente [ Mon May 08, 2006 6:43 am ] |
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Well, great guitars have been built with it, and it's some of the most stunning wood I've got in my stash, but it's not the one with the most exciting tap tone. You pays your money and you takes your chances. |
Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Mon May 08, 2006 6:57 am ] |
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Hummmm Three sets built and they all seemed reasonably close to the same to me as far as tap tone. I have never had a dead one yet but like I said I only have 3 under my belt with it. |
Author: | Alain Desforges [ Mon May 08, 2006 6:58 am ] |
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I have a beautiful set of pomelle figured Sapele that I got from Brad Goodman... Looks awesome... I can't wait to put it to good use... Well... to use it, anyway. |
Author: | Mattia Valente [ Mon May 08, 2006 7:04 am ] |
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The four sets I got from Bob sound OK, but they don't ring out quite as well/fully as the perfectly quartered sapele sets I have. They're also a little bit lighter. This is just tapping the unbraced sets. |
Author: | guitarjtb [ Mon May 08, 2006 9:43 am ] |
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Sounds like mahogany, bends like butter, smells like cinnamon, looks great even under a 'burst. My favorite wood to work with. ![]() |
Author: | Bobc [ Mon May 08, 2006 10:04 am ] |
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Beautiful guitar James. Sapele is a very good tonewood. Good to see you drop buy once in a while. |
Author: | Don Williams [ Mon May 08, 2006 10:56 am ] |
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Drool... ....and that from a guy who isn't all that jacked about bursts... |
Author: | MSpencer [ Mon May 08, 2006 1:35 pm ] |
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I like that burst! |
Author: | ecklesweb [ Mon May 08, 2006 2:33 pm ] |
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Any thoughts as to whether the figure would change the tone? I.e., do you think quilted sapele would sound different than non-figured sapele (taking for granted that every piece of wood is unique and possibly sounds slightly different, figured or not). My asumption is that there is no recognized difference in tone between figured and non-figured specimens of the same species. I'm guessing no one has made two of the exact same guitar (size, bracing, woods, etc.) with a figured set and a non-figured set, but if you have, I'd love to hear about it! |
Author: | Joe Beaver [ Mon May 08, 2006 3:19 pm ] |
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Good question... I've heard that the only difference between figured and none figured is in stability issues. The tone seems to remain the same. (always some variation between pieces of the same type of wood of course) Sapele is pretty good wood. Actually it is a mahogany and it shares a afmily resemblance... |
Author: | CarltonM [ Mon May 08, 2006 4:17 pm ] |
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[QUOTE=Joe Beaver]Actually it is a mahogany [/QUOTE] Nope, don't think so. It's understandable, though, why you would think that, 'cause so many of the larger manufacturers have used them interchangeably and called it all mahogany. |
Author: | Mattia Valente [ Mon May 08, 2006 4:33 pm ] |
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My assumption is that heavily figured woods will have, all else being equal, higher damping than straight grained ones. Irregular fibres (basically: runout! RUNOUT EVERYWHERE) and less-than-straight grain would account for that. I'm fairly certain I've seen Al Carruth write something on this topic before. Thing is, particularly with backs/sides? You can probably 'overcome' such differences by selecting the right topwood, and building the guitar 'right'. |
Author: | GregG [ Mon May 08, 2006 9:59 pm ] |
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If Sapele sounds like Mahogany, my question is....what are the characteristic tonal traits of Mahogany as a tonewood. You know I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone with building experience mention what tonal flavor Mahogany adds to a guitar. Thanks, Greg |
Author: | Mattia Valente [ Mon May 08, 2006 11:19 pm ] |
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Methinks I'll just wait for Colin to chime in, but...Mahogany and East Indian Rosewood are, hands down, the two most common tonewoods. Lots and lots of discussion/description of that 'mahogany tone' by amateur builders, pro luthiers, and players alike. |
Author: | Colin S [ Tue May 09, 2006 12:08 am ] |
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Alright but I won't get carried away, everyone here knows the truth in the statement that 'Mahogany is the finest tonewood out there'. By mahogany I mean the three common "Genuine" mahoganies, the Swietenia genus the small and large leaved mahoganies and Cuban mahogany. All of them make guitars that give a classic woody sound and separation with a strong fundamental that can be driven without going muddy. Where rosewoods will give you long sustain and many overtones, the mahoganies have a stronger fundamental, some would say a purer tone . Though not true mahogany, sapele and it's other African cousin Khaya make good guitars, with many of the same characteristics of their New World rivals. I have never heard of anyone not liking their finished Sapele bodied guitar. Don't forget that it's the top wood that provides most of the characteristic sound of the guitar, that and the hand of the builder! Colin |
Author: | Anthony Z [ Tue May 09, 2006 2:17 am ] |
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Paul was your guitar that was featured on the cover of GuitarMaker -- quilted Sapele (I've mislayed my issue). In any event -- that is one killer looking guitar. |
Author: | CarltonM [ Tue May 09, 2006 7:53 am ] |
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Mahogany also records quite well--seems to give a more balanced output into a microphone. I've read of pros who take their "flashier" guitars on the road, but have a mahogany guitar for the studio. |
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