Honduran Mahogany is more expensive, therefore it is better. Also, Martin uses it, therefore it's better.
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| Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=39528 |
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| Author: | Clinchriver [ Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I have a very nice 10/4" X 9" X 10' Khaya board. What if any difference tonally between Khaya & Honduran? I see LMI sells Honduran, Khaya and Sapele on the same page as "Mahogany? |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
Tonally, I don't think there is any difference. The two woods are basically the same density. Because of the more interlocked grain, Khaya is not as stable, but that wasn't the question. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
John Arnold wrote: Tonally, I don't think there is any difference. The two woods are basically the same density. Because of the more interlocked grain, Khaya is not as stable, but that wasn't the question. I have not really seen too many honduran mahogany, but have only bits and pieces labeled as honduran mahogany. I cannot tell the two apart... and as far as stability goes how the wood was treated and its grain structure probably counts more than which species they are. My experience with Sapele is that they are really dense... not something I prefer working with as a neck wood because the last Sapele neck I made was far too heavy. I think the heavy U channel truss rod I used in there probably contributed, as well as really heavy tuners. |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
With some magnification, the difference in Khaya and Honduran mahogany is apparent. Look for the rays on a tangential (flat sawn) surface. They appear as little 'hash marks' that are darker than the background. Khaya has staggered rays, while Honduran has 'storied' rays. Storied just means that the rays are in groups aligned in rows straight across the grain. These groups create ripple marks. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I get what you are saying, but I see them (the figure at the neck block) on woods labeled as african mahogany (khaya) and even philippine mahogany (Lauan)! Basically its confusing as hell, and when certain wood suppliers can label honduran mahogany as african mahogany to avoid CITES paperwork, the difference is not big enough to catch anyone's notice. |
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| Author: | Greg B [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
Honduran Mahogany is more expensive, therefore it is better. Also, Martin uses it, therefore it's better.
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I have made a number of Africa Khaya both full and spruce tops. I was impressed and continue to use it. I would rather a great piece of Khaya than average Honduran . |
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| Author: | Michael.N. [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 5:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
Is Khaya similar in Density/weight (on average) to Honduran? |
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| Author: | Clinchriver [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
Thanks for all the response. I'm sticking with Honduran for the moment. Michael.N. wrote: Is Khaya similar in Density/weight (on average) to Honduran? Possibly on average, I have some Honduran thats very light and some thats fairly heavy and much denser........so? |
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| Author: | B. Howard [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I find Khaya to be more consistent in regards to density than Honduran. But rift sawn is the standard cut for Khaya so there is that to deal with...... I personally prefer the Khaya. |
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| Author: | dzsmith [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
Here we go again... Lauan is not Mahogany but rather a compressed form of splinters. |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
dzsmith wrote: Here we go again... Lauan is not Mahogany but rather a compressed form of splinters. Yea, I hate it.. but its all I can obtain sometimes. |
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| Author: | John Coloccia [ Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I find Khaya machines very nicely but is difficult to work by hand due to the interlocked grain. I'd much rather carve a neck from mahogany. I found a good source in Pennsylvania for pattern grade (i.e. well quartered and straight grained) honduran mahogany. TBM hardwoods. They kiln dry the mahogany on site. I drove out there to check out the operation and brought some home. It's great stuff, and they deal with instrument makers (some large names too) so if you tell them what you need you'll get what you need, no fooling. Everything is just sitting in a warehouse and is rough, so you'll need to be able to let it sit for a little bit to acclimate and you'll need to be able to break it down, but it's a great source if you're able to deal with rough lumber as it comes out of a kiln. I'd be surprised if John Hall wasn't familiar with them. |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Khaya versus Honduran Mahogany |
I sold my last 2 guitars and customers prefered the african mahogany over honduran guitar. Go figure. I think we can agree that tone is subjective and the customer will dictate the market. I do agree honduran is more fun to work . There does seem to be a better supply of Honduran the last 2 years. |
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