What kind of mahogany does Martin use?

The Central American mahogany is the species used by Martin on the pre-World War II golden era instruments. This wood is of the same genus, but a different species than the South American mahogany most commonly used today.

Where does Martin guitars get their mahogany?

"Big-leafed Mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla, also known as American Mahogany, is distributed from the south of Mexico throughout Central and South America to Bolivia and Brazil, including large portions of the Amazon Basin.

What wood does Martin use?

Martin uses a variety of different types of Spruce including Sitka, Engelmann, Adirondack, Red and Italian Alpine, each with their own distinct tonal characteristics.

Where does Martin get its wood?

The wood is quite valuable but the paper pulp industry buys and harvests Sitka spruce in the Pacific Northwest and sometimes they harvest trees that have no business being made into pulp.

Is Honduran mahogany real mahogany?

Honduran Mahogany is also referred to as Genuine Mahogany. It is of the Swietenia genus unlike some species that are called mahogany, such as less expensive African Mahogany (Khaya spp.)

Martin Guitar - Mahogany Top VS Sitka Top

Can you still buy Honduran mahogany?

It has a Janka hardness rating of 900. Honduran Mahogany became known as “Genuine Mahogany” when over harvesting of Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia Mahogani) banned its export from Cuba. Now Honduran Mahogany has also been overharvested and is on the CITES list as an endangered species.

Is Brazilian mahogany still available?

It is still imported, although a significantly high percentage are of plantation-grown origin -- which is less desirable and considered to be of inferior quality to that grown in native habitats.

Is the Martin 16 series solid wood?

Based on some of the more popular Standard Series models, the Martin 16 Series takes these designs and makes them more affordable and accessible. Featuring solid wood sound boxes, time tested bracing patterns and the same attention to detail found in every Martin guitar, they are a value that's hard to beat.

Is Rosewood better than mahogany?

Rosewood is much denser/harder and stronger than mahogany. This is why it is also used a lot for bridges and fingerboards.

When did Martin stop using Brazilian rosewood?

Supplies grew extremely thin in the late 1960s, however, and Martin and others stopped using Brazilian rosewood in 1969, moving over to Indian rosewood, then other varieties. In 1992, Brazilian rosewood was added to the CITES treaty, strictly banning its exportation.

Is Martin Road solid wood?

Built in Martin's plant in Navojoa, Mexico, and featuring solid-wood builds of sitka, sapele and koa, with Fishman MX-T electronics throughout, the Road Series is positioned as a pro-quality range for gigging musicians whose appearance fee can't quite stretch to Martin's US-built models, which, if we are honest, is ...

What is the most sought after Martin guitar?

The most expensive guitar ever sold at auction is a 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic which was famously played by Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's 'MTV Unplugged' performance. It sold for $6 million at Julien's auction house in June 2020.

Are Martin guitars really that good?

When it comes to acoustic guitars, Martin Guitars are one of the best out there. From the Avett Brothers to David Gilmour, many musicians use this brand and they have a solid reputation. Martin Guitars have been around since 1833, so their history goes way back and they have made many great guitars.

What is sinker mahogany?

SINKER MAHOGANY WOOD. We call it “Sinker Belizean Mahogany”. The wood is Genuine Mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla, from Belize, basically the same texture and color as the sought after Honduras Mahogany, but it is unique because it has been submerged in the rivers of Belize for 75 to 150 years!

What is Sapele wood for guitars?

Sapele is a hardwood tonewood with fine grain. It offers a warm tone with sustaining lower-mids and pronounced high-end. Sapele is popular in the sides/backs of acoustic and hollowbody electric guitars but doesn't see much use in solid bodies, fretboards or necks.

When did Martin start using Sitka spruce?

In 1946, as supplies of their preferred sources of spruce dried up, and Martin had used the last smaller pieces to create four piece tops, Martin began switching to Sitka spruce from the Northwest.

Do mahogany guitars sound better?

Mahogany has a thick bottom end, a controlled high end, and a perfect midrange. It's a tonewood that perfectly balances all ranges of sound, which is why it's so commonly used in custom acoustic guitars. It suits most players and guitar body shapes, and provides the best sound.

How do you tell mahogany from rosewood?

Mahogany is usually strong in the middle, rosewood touches a wider tone palette. In your hands, a guitar with a rosewood body often feels a little different when you play. Due to the higher density, rosewood is usually a bit heavier and subtly reacts to your playing. Mahogany is often lighter and very direct.

Which wood is best for guitar body?

Spruce. This evergreen, found in northern temperate regions of the globe, is literally top choice: the ideal wood for the soundboard, or top, of an acoustic guitar. Its look — light in color, even in grain — is appealing though somewhat plain; what sets it apart is its beautiful tonal properties.

What is a Martin special 16?

A Great Sounding Guitar That's Easy to Play.

This Special 16 is a series of Martin guitars that are produce specifically to Musician's Friend specification.

Where is Martin 16 made?

The updates to the Martin 16 series continues these efforts with new tonewoods, features and aesthetic choices along with an extremely afforable price in an all-solid wood acoustic guitar that is still crafted in Martin's Nazareth, Pennsylvania factory.

Where are Martin 17 series made?

Martin 16 and 17 Series

Our 16 and 17 Series guitars are built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, with the same craftsmanship as their more expensive and famous cousins. They're constructed using affordable tonewoods like mahogany and granadillo, making our legendary sound more attainable.

Is Honduran mahogany good?

Honduran mahogany's easy workability, combined with its beauty and phenomenal stability have made this lumber an enduring favorite. It's an incredibly important commercial timber in Latin America, where it's now grown extensively on plantations.

Which mahogany tree is best?

African mahogany is popular due to better yield production. The price of African mahogany tree is around Rs 15,000 - 20,000 this is the price of 10 year old mahogany tree.