What wood?

ozrufus · #1 08-12-2014, 07:56 PM

Hello good experts of the AGF! I picked up a fantastic acoustic guitar while traveling to Vietnam several weeks ago. Did some research about Guitar Street in Saigon before my quest and it paid off in a big way as I auditioned several Thanh (luthier) instruments.

I'm not given to exaggeration, but I'd say it's probably the best sounding guitar in my stable now (see my sig for reference). It has all solid woods, wood binding, bone nut/saddle. It's light, resonant, and has a really full, balanced, and loud voice. I'd say it's apples to apples the equivalent of a Larrivee 03 series guitar in construction and appointments (I've owned two and currently own a 09 series). You'd be shocked at the ridiculously low price I paid for the guitar + case.

I need some help identifying the tonewood on my most recent acquisition. The top is obviously spruce, but I'm not positive about the back and sides. I've assumed it was something in the mahogany family, but after looking closely I not sure. It has a distinct grain pattern that is unlike most mahogany guitars I've owned or seen.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially you luthiers. So, what wood do you think this is? Just for fun, feel free to wager a guess as to how much I paid for it.

The Bard Rocks · #2 08-12-2014, 08:07 PM

I keep thinking "mahogany". But... Vietnam... they have woods there which are not often seen over here.

TaylorJoe · #3 08-12-2014, 08:12 PM

Yup, Mahogany comes to mind, but the dark lines across it are unusual, assuming they are not joins.
Great looking though :-)

Jim.S · #4 08-12-2014, 08:22 PM

If it is not plantation mahogany the next one to look at would be shorea. There are 20 or more shorea species cut as wood and they have a load of common names like meranti, pacific maple, Philippine mahogany just to name a few.

Jim

fazool · #5 08-12-2014, 08:24 PM

I thought mahogany as soon as I saw those close up interrupted grain colors. But it's not Honduran.

zombywoof · #6 08-12-2014, 08:57 PM

I wonder if it is that Monkey Pod wood. While I make no claims at any kind of an expertise in this area, the grain looks similar and it is showing up on more and more guitars.

Jim.S · #7 08-12-2014, 09:00 PM

I should add that if it is plantation mahogany then it could be "honduran" in that it could be swietenia macrophylla as this one is grows in plantations in Vietnam, I suppose "Vietnam mahogany" might be a better common name.

Jim

sachi · #8 08-12-2014, 10:31 PM

I have no expertise, but that is simply beautiful wood.

ozrufus · #9 08-13-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachi

I have no expertise, but that is simply beautiful wood.

Thanks! I'm still pinching myself about finding such a diamond in the rough.

I've looked up pics of the various woods mentioned, but none seem definitive. I understand that the processing of the wood has a tremendous impact on how the grain displays. Looking closely at the sides does reveal a more traditional looking mahogany or similar grain pattern. Was just curious to see if the collective wisdom of the AGF could help me make a determination.

Any other ideas? Particular from luthiers or woodworkers?

Rodger Knox · #10 08-13-2014, 11:22 AM

It looks like what my local supplier stocks as Chechen rosewood. I'm have no idea what species it is, but I'm pretty sure it's not a dalbergia.

Wade Hampton · #11 08-13-2014, 11:37 AM

Oz, if you haven't posted the pictures over on the Custom Shop subforum, you might find it helpful. There are more guitar builders and general woodworking types who frequent that subforum, and might have a better idea than the rest of us have had so far.

whm

ozrufus · #12 08-13-2014, 07:57 PM

Great suggestion, Wade. I debated whether to post it here or there, but I went with greater exposure rather than a specific audience.

Pheof · #13 08-13-2014, 08:08 PM

Looks like mahogany to me.

Jim.S · #14 08-13-2014, 08:46 PM

Looking at pics on the net is often unhelpful other than for a rough idea. These are the best two examples from the net, about the only two pics that I found to be helpful out of a stack that comes up in a image search.

Here is a pic of one of the many Shorea species (I would call this one "red meranti")

Here is Mahogany most likely Honduran

Both are well quarter sawn like your back pics.

Because your guitar came from Vietnam there is a high likelyhood that it could be one of the Shorea but there is also a likely hood that it could be mahogany (plantation Swietenia) from Asia as well.

Notice the similar pattern on both pics. Note also there is a colour difference but don't forget that colour can vary for the same species of wood.

If you can get a better guess than that then I will eat my wood working shorts. It is always only a experienced guess when looking at the wood as you don't have the tree to identify in the botanical sense.

Jim

stormin1155 · #15 08-13-2014, 08:52 PM

There are many species/variations of mahogany, and a lot of woods that look like and have similar characteristics of mahogany, but are technically not mahogany. So its some sort of mahoganyish wood. Didn't the builder specify what it was?

Really, the exact species doesn't seem that important if it sounds good. But I guess if it were mine I'd be curious too. In any case, congratulations on a really great guitar!