I think comparing species when they're super close is darn near impossible. You'd almost have to have the exact same guitar made by the exact same person in the exact same conditions to really make a meaningful comparison and even then, I'd say any difference is likely more a symptom of the actual piece of wood vs the type of "mahogany".
In the grand scheme, I'd say they are gonna be very very close and share most of the same characteristics. Some folks will say that it's not as good, but that may just stem from the fact that most guitars with it at this point are cheaper guitars, but I'd say that's economics, not sound quality for why they're on cheaper guitars.
That's my 2 cents. Here is the original readable image but in a PDF format. Attached Images mahogany. In general I find sapele to be very similar to mahogany, but not as similar as sipo. I like all three, and listening blindfolded I'd probably guess two of them wrong. It's all great wood to make guitars out of. The problem is that sapele is often used in lower-priced instruments so they also don't get as nice of a spruce top, and the tone suffers because of that.
Now, if I was buying a mahogany topped guitar, I'd want genuine mahogany, but only because sapele and sipo tend to have much more pronounced striping in the grain that I don't care for visually.
As far as experience with guitars topped with a variation of spruce over mahogany vs. My experiences come from comparing the tonewoods when the entire guitar is made of one or the other. My take is that mahogany has a great mid-rangey bark to it and a nice whine. What I mean by that is that it somehow really suits blues and slide well, music that has an inherent sweetness and "whine". You know, compliments the troubles of the person telling the story. Sapele on the other hand is brighter with more sparkle, but certainly isn't as ring-y as spruce or cedar.
It still retains a nice warmth and dry woodiness to it, but leans a little more toward spruce in that it has enough clarity to be a slightly better strumming wood than mahogany at least to my ear. Sapele has been called "poor man's mahogany". I pairs up very well with Retros. It's good to be "poor". Originally Posted by gr81dorn. We buy directly from foreign mills who not only produce high quality, but are also practicing sustainability, and legal logging practices.
So we can get the best prices, best quality and a responsible wood product. Since than their costs are very similar. They all grow and are harvested in West African Countries. African Mahogany is generally considered the most available. Sapele is not as available, but there is some in the forests. Also known as Khaya. Other names are Ngollon and Acajou. Of the three, this has the widest range of quality. There are 4 sub-species of Khaya, and three of them show up in the United States.
Most companies prefer the Khaya Ivorensis, it is lighter in weight, softer in texture, and not as dense. Some companies specify they want African Mahogany from Ghana, which is considered almost all Khaya Ivorensis. From this region, the lumber tends to be lighter not only in weight, but also in color. It tends to be consistent in color. Historically, it is more expensive from this region.
Due to Ghana law, lumber must be Kiln-dried value added to be exported. Most of the African Mahogany comes from Cameroon and Congo. It also is mostly Khaya Ivorensis, but tends to be darker in color, a little heavier, not as hairy.
Consistency in color and quality throughout these regions are less than from Ghana. TMC buys from suppliers in these regions who supply the lumber which is most consistent in color and overall quality.
We import lumber from these regions both air-dried and Kiln-dried. There is not a lot of availability in Gabon, but what is imported is mostly Khaya Ivorensis of good quality. It comes in air-dried. Ivory Coast is considered to have the least desirable Khaya. This is because its forest has a mix of the sub-species. There is a fair amount of Khaya Grandofolio, which is much heavier, harder, and inconsistent in weight and in color. However, there is good Khaya which grows there. If we buy from suppliers who sort out the Ivorensis, it is very good.
Entandrophragma cylindricum. Most comes from Cameroon and Congo. We buy it both air-dried and Kiln-dried. The species is more consistent for color, weight, texture, and hardness throughout the regions than African Mahogany.
It can have pin-knots which are difficult to see in rough-sawn limber. But the suppliers we deal with do grade against what they can see. It is lighter in color from Ghana which is not the main source. Entandrophragma utile. Also called Sipo. Mostly from Cameroon and Congo. Some from Ghana, which is lighter in color. We buy both air-dried and Kiln-dried. This wood is very consistent in color, weight, texture. African Mahogany: Most inconsistent of the three.
Light reddish brown to dark brown. Sapele: Dark red-brown, almost with an orange tint. The Interlocking grain of Sapele gives the guitar a strong body and the rich dark color gives a great appearance. It is much harder than African mahogany but still easy to carve for guitar bodies.
Mahogany is good for making door and window frames. It gives a good effect with strength. Sapele wood also performs well in moisture. Hence it is used for bathroom doors and window frames. Its dark red-brown color gives an even better look over time.
Mahogany wood is famous for making Boats and Boat Parts. It is also durable for long periods of time even when exposed to water. Sapele and African Mahogany are popular for usage in exterior applications, including siding and soffits also for decking. Mahogany is extremely hard. Some contractors say they are the king of hardwoods. It is water-resistant and not prone to decay or rot.
It holds paint very well so it becomes more durable after paint and polish. Sapele wood is used outdoors such as Garden Furniture , Beach Chairs , boats, and boat parts. Sapele wood is stronger than Mahogany. It is rot and weather resistant. It firmly lasts for several decades without changing its own properties. Due to some raised grain of mahogany wood, it has to be taken care of. But Grain gives a nice finishing. It glows more after polishing. It is preferred for curving because it can be easily worked with small and large tools.
Sapele wood can be easily folded and made into a complex structure such as guitar side body and other. To do this easily, the expert keeps it soaking for 15 minutes before folding. So it can be said that one can easily work with Sapele too. Mahogany comes in three species. Swamp Mahogany. Following the path of ivory, in , mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species CITES as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction.
Endangered Species Act. Sapele tends to darken as it ages, so its natural color may suffice, but if you look to hasten the process, you'll find that the wood stains well. The interlocking grain and its resulting shimmer and color-shifting qualities won't be obscured by anything other than the darkest stains. The most valuable raw product produced from mahogany wood is solid lumber , which can then be manufactured into expensive furniture and cabinets.
However, solid mahogany is a very expensive material, and is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Source: Link. A deep, rich, full bodied exotic wood scent, with a touch of spice. Pretty much what a man should smell like. It is extremely dense and hard which keeps the insects and water at bay, preventing rot. Its hardness allows the wood to be left natural outdoors with no finish and not rot away. Examples of hardwood trees include alder, balsa, beech, hickory, mahogany , maple, oak, teak, and walnut.
Examples of softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew. Most hardwoods have a higher density than most softwoods. 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. South American Mahogany is best for outdoor applications. Sapele is generally a little darker than other mahogany species, running more to brown than red.
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