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sdsollod
PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:48 am 
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Koa
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Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:08 am
Posts: 1906
Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Steve
Last Name: Sollod
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
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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meddlingfool
PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 10:07 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:15 pm
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First name: Ed
Last Name: Bond
City: Nanaimo
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
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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James Ringelspaugh
PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 10:40 am 
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First name: Ringo
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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David Newton
PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:11 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:13 am
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Location: United States
State: Texas
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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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meddlingfool
PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:12 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:15 pm
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First name: Ed
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Country: Canada
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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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bluescreek
PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:45 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4915
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
I have made 3 and all were killer.

1 dred 2 000-12

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Pwoolson
PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:17 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:26 am
Posts: 2558
Location: United States
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.
Image
And this is my personal guitar:
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meddlingfool
PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:46 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:15 pm
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First name: Ed
Last Name: Bond
City: Nanaimo
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Nice end graft!
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neil mchardy
PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:13 pm 
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Walnut
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Joined: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:30 am
Posts: 11
First name: neil
Last Name: mchardy
City: Carlisle
State: Cumbria
Zip/Postal Code: CA4 8QQ
Country: United Kingdom
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
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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