“Best” mahogany top guitar?

[PeteyPower16]

Hi all,

I am exploring the world of mahogany top guitars, and wondered if anyone had opinions between the following?

1. Taylor 524

2. Martin D-15M

3. Taylor GS mini mahogany

4. Others?

I know that “best” is a personal preference in this case (these are all great guitars, and at three different price points), but preferences and reasons behind them are what I’m after! Thanks for your opinions!

[musicman1951]

I've never actually played one, but I always thought the SC 1929 00 sounded and looked like a sweet guitar in videos. Good reviews.

[Ed66]

I'd throw Alvarez's MDA66ce in the mix. A great guitar and you can usually get it for about $700.00 brand new.

[bluemoon]

Get the D-15. I had one for years and loved it.

[llew]

Best is a very subjective term. But I like the Martin 000-15SM 12 fret. Simple, understated and everything you need without a lot of superfluous stuff. Just my 2 cents...

[Lillis]

All three of those are different body shapes/sizes and have their own merits. Probably need to narrow down your needs. Or get one of each which would be ideal. Love my mini and 0015 but there is a significant difference even between those two.

[Goodallboy]

That would be the one I thought sounded best after playing a handful of each one you mention, then personally picking my “best.

Sadly, that one probably wouldn’t be the “best’ one to you.

Enjoy the hunt.

[Cool555]

“Best” is very subjective, like you mentioned. Let me add more to the list. Taylor 324. Martin 00-15m or 000-15m. Enjoy your hunt!

I think Taylor 324 is interesting as it has hog top with Tasmania blackwood b/s. I also remember reading good reviews sometime ago here on AGF.

[Nctom]

The all mahogany guitar I've enjoyed the most is my Waterloo WL12Mh. Great sound and tone, perfect fit and finish, and the 12 fret neck is heavenly.

[M Sarad]

https://www.om28.com/ProductDetail?product=P181116002

This is the best sounding all mahogany guitar I have ever played or heard.

[jpd]

My ears settled on a custom Martin 0-15. Played many others, but found the small size and ease of play fit my style....plus it's Honduran mahogany. Have fun trying as many as you can

[H165]

A well set up H165

[TDavis]

The very first couple of "high-end" guitars I ever had were all-mahogany guitars, and I never could bond with either. Their warm tone was almost too warm to my ears, and I gravitated to spruce-top instruments that brightened the tone up a bit, even if they had mahogany back/sides.

However...I recently played a Martin 000-15sm that has changed my mind. It has the "round" kind of mellowness that all-hog guitars are famous for...but because it's a 12-fret design, it also has a bit of brightness that I've not experienced before, and a punchiness to the lower strings too that sounds really nice to me.

[bufflehead]

I honesty find the 000-15m to be a better guitar than the D-15. There's a bit of magic there that just works.

[KevinH]

Have a look at a Taylor 522. I'll never part with mine. Ever. Probably.