Dang JJ, that's gorgeous!
![[clap]](./images/smilies/smiley32.gif "adulations")
I've only used the striped sapele, and like it for mahogany type guitars.
Joe
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| Sapelle as a Tonewood http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=29971 |
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| Author: | Darryl Young [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Sapelle as a Tonewood |
What is your opinion of Sapelle for back and sides on a guitar? Is it like mahogany?......or is it a little denser than mahogany and sound more in-between mahogany and rosewood? If so, is the sound similar to black walnut?......cuban mahogany?.....something else? Thanks! |
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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Sapele is heavier and finer textured than Honduran mahogany. So should be alittle glassier sounding. |
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| Author: | weslewis [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Not sure about the tonal qualities...as this in my 5th build..and my first cutaway, but it bends like butter and is easy to work with..! side thicknesed t0 .075 to .085 bent at 300 degrees , sprayed water on both sides.. |
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| Author: | jmanter [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
from my limited experience with it, it seems to sound the same as mahogany. I've found it to be much easier to bend though (no springback on the 3 sets I've used)... - Justin |
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| Author: | evanmelstad [ Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
I'm a big fan of sapele. Good workability. In contrast to the other posts, this is the only wood where I've broken a side bending, but the next set seemed to bend ok. I thought it was not terribly visually interesting until finishing, then it warmed up considerably. Sounds like a mahogany guitar to me. Attachment: french polishing112.jpg
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| Author: | Darryl Young [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Is there much variation in the density of Sapelle? Differences between plain and figured Sapelle? |
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| Author: | Neil Gardiner [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 10:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
I got a couples sets a few years ago. And I have built with one of them. They are the striped Sapelle. It was when I was still bending by hand and I found them a bit spring and lots of springback. I like the look of it. Has a lot of nice subtle things going on when the finish is put on. Soundwise, mahogany-like. Maybe a little brighter. At least the set I worked with. Neil |
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| Author: | CharlieT [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
I have always assumed, perhaps naively, since sapele is a bit denser that mahogany, that its tone might be just a tad bit closer to that of rosewood. Is that not the case with sapele? |
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| Author: | Alexandru Marian [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
We should ask people that build regularly with Cuban mahogany. Similar density. |
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| Author: | Dave White [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Alexandru Marian wrote: We should ask people that build regularly with Cuban mahogany. Similar density. But not the same sound - Cuban has that reverby edge to the sound and a totally different feel in the hand (if you'll pardon the expression). As others have said Sapele is a really good tonewood and sounds pretty much like (non Cuban) mahogany to my ears. |
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| Author: | Alexandru Marian [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Hehe I should have expected you when Cuban is mentioned! Off topic but I did get some of those antique Cuban squares from Robert Smith. Cool stuff! I will make the first neck out of them next year. |
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| Author: | Darryl Young [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Sapelle as a Tonewood |
It sounds like Sapelle differs little soundwise from Honduran mahogany. I assume this would include figured Sapelle. If true, the availability of figured Sapelle makes it an attractive alternative to Honduran. |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
I've built with both striped as well as highly figured (the stuff that looks like the surface of brain tissue) Sapele. Both are completely different tonally. As others have stated, the striped stuff is somewhat similar to Hondo Mahogany. The figured stuff seems to be of lower density and highly porous...it sucks up Z-Poxy like crazy when pore filling. It taps like wet cardboard but looks amazing under finish. The guitar I made (000-12 fret) with the "Brainwood" (Adi top) just happens to be my personal favorite go to guitar. Go figure! Attachment: 007- Zootman 008.jpg Attachment: 007- Zootman 005.jpg
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| Author: | Joe Sustaire [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Dang JJ, that's gorgeous! I've only used the striped sapele, and like it for mahogany type guitars. Joe |
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| Author: | CharlieT [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Mmmmmmmmm...that does look very nice, JJ!  Looks reminiscent of examples I've seen of "The Tree".
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Fri Nov 19, 2010 10:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
I will tell you how it sounds once I finish this one... Attachment: J45 Build 51.JPG This stuff was sold as African Mahogany... but it's the hardest African Mahogany I have ever seen.... More likely Sapele.... but it's even quite hard for that stuff..... Tap tone was very pingy... though it didn't have a long, glassy resonance like Rosewood.... Wood working wise - great stuff... I had to take the sides to 0.065" before they would bend... and it was still a fight. Thanks |
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| Author: | murrmac [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
The "figured" sapele ( properly called "sapele pommele") will indeed suck up any finish thirstily, as most of the figure is in fact end grain. I have sold many sets of sapele pommele, including one beautiful set to Paul Fischer, UK's premier classical builder, and still have some left. I always thought I might use one myself some day for a build, but I would sooner botch up a set of black walnut. And y'all are right about the tap tone, it sounds like cardboard in the white, but when it is all built up, it sounds like the heavenly choir ... |
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| Author: | nickton [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 6:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sapelle as a Tonewood |
Wow. .065 wold make me nervous. I didn't know you could take it down that much. Interesting. |
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