Sapele is less heard of than Mahogany. A lot of guitarists, especially new guitarists might not have even heard of it.
| Tropical (Honduran) Mahogany | 900 lb |
| African Mahogany | 1,070 lb |
| Sapele | 1,410 lb |
| East Indian Rosewood | 2,440 lb |
Furthermore, how stable is African mahogany?
AFRICAN MAHOGANY WOOD
It has a very similar color and graining, but it is not as stable. The trees can grow to be quite large, so it is possible to find wide, long, clear boards. From a sustainability standpoint, African Mahogany grows in rich ground that is not nearly as delicate as the Amazon basin.
Likewise, people ask, is African mahogany also called Sapele? It is occasionally used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany, and is sometimes referred to as “Sapele Mahogany.” Technically, the two genera that are commonly associated with mahogany are Swietenia and Khaya, while Sapele is in the Entandrophragma genus, but all three are included in the broader Meliaceae family, so …
Just so, is African mahogany any good?
Other woods
For your next project consider African Mahogany. It is economical, works well and takes a fine finish. If price is no issue, consider Genuine Mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla, by what ever name it is available; otherwise, consider Sapele or Sipo. Try Lyptus for a unique and sustainable wood.
Is African mahogany cheap?
African Mahogany is the cheapest of the Mahoganies, and it is often purchased for use as an affordable alternative to Genuine Mahogany.
Is African mahogany good for guitars?
African mahogany, sometimes called khaya, supports the Performer and Signature Series with warm, midrangy tone and the familiar dry fundamental that has made it a favorite of guitarists for over a century. And all African mahogany Wildwoods offer the classic blues combination at a revolutionary price.
Is African mahogany strong?
Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistance. Workability: Easy to work, glue, and finish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked.
What mahogany does Martin use?
The Central American mahogany is the species used by Martin on the pre-World War II golden era instruments. This wood is of the same genus, but a different species than the South American mahogany most commonly used today.
What wood is similar to Sapele?
Like Sapele, Utile is a very large tree. It is easy to get 12/4 and thicker boards that exceed 10-12″ in width. The lower density than Sapele makes Utile an even more stable species.
What’s the difference between mahogany and African mahogany?
The main difference between African mahogany and its South American counterpart is the wood’s color variation, often appearing as a series of light and dark bands or as a ribbon figure. The African species occasionally has interlocked grain, making it more difficult to work with than genuine mahogany.