The tonewood debate between Sapele and Mahogany represents the old guard (Mahogany) vs. the new kid (Sapele). While their physical appearance is often similar, there are some differences that you should be aware of. In this article, we will be discussing the differences in tone between Mahogany vs. Sapele when used on acoustic guitars.
What is Sapele?
Sapele is a relative newcomer as a tonewood for guitars. As a result, it is sometimes confused with genuine Mahogany wood. Although you may have heard terms such as “Sapele Mahogany”, or “Khaya Mahogany” a Sapele wood tree is a distinct species.
Sapele is harvested in West Africa, and is reasonably sustainable. The wood has a similar appearance to Mahogany, and is often confused with genuine Mahogany. Sapele has a reddish-brown color and has an interlocking grain pattern. Sapele exhibits a “Ribbon Stripe” figure when quartersawn that is quite attractive.
What Is Mahogany?
Mahogany is a type of hardwood that is used extensively in both acoustic and electric guitars. It is known for its earthy, fundamental tone when used for the back and sides of acoustic guitars.
There are several different types of Mahogany, including Honduran, and African. Honduran Mahogany, (American Mahogany) is the most sought-after type, but it is also the most expensive. Old growth Honduran Mahogany is the Mahogany that Martin and Gibson used on their vintage guitars.
Today, Mahogany from other parts of the world offer more affordable alternatives. Since much of today’s Mahogany comes from Africa, our comparison is African Mahogany vs. Sapele.
Sapele Tone Characteristics
A Sapele wood guitar has a warm, even tone with a balanced midrange and a clear top end. Sapele has slightly more bass and treble range than Mahogany, but the important aspect to note is the flatter frequency curve. Sapele’s frequency response, as shown in the diagram below, means that it renders all its frequencies in a balanced way. The frequency response of Sapele looks like this:
Here is how Taylor Guitars describes the sound of Sapele:
“It’s comparable to mahogany but its higher density tends to produce a slightly brighter sound with more top-end shimmer.”
-Taylor Guitars
From my own experience, I will stress that the difference is subtle. What I am sure of is that a Sapele guitar will sound much closer to a Mahogany guitar than say, a guitar made from Rosewood.
Sapele’s flat frequency response means that a Sapele guitar will tend to sound balanced, and not favor any particular frequencies. Personally, I like this characteristic of Sapele, and the Sapele guitars I have played exhibit a controlled bass response, without boominess.
Mahogany Tone Characteristics
Mahogany produces a strong, fundamental-focused tone. It has a midrange-heavy sound that is characterized as warm and punchy. Mahogany guitars are often described as having a “mellow” sound that is well-suited for fingerpicking and strumming. The reason for this is that Mahogany does not produce as many “ringing” overtones as harder woods such as Rosewood.
The frequency response of Mahogany looks like this:
Here is how Taylor Guitars describes the sound of Mahogany:
“Mahogany is known for its meaty midrange character, featuring a strong fundamental focus…”
-Taylor Guitars
Mahogany has a well-defined and warm low-end, a punchy midrange, and a smooth top-end. Players who prefer a warmer, less sparkly sound may find that mahogany is a good choice for them. It has a smooth tone that works well for rhythm guitar playing.
Mahogany vs. Sapele Tone
When comparing the tone of Sapele vs. African Mahogany, the differences are subtle. One of the key differences between Sapele and Mahogany is the density of the wood.
Sapele is slightly denser than Mahogany, and it is generally accepted that Sapele accents a little more of the top end than Mahogany. Therefore, Sapele often has a slightly brighter, more articulate sound, while Mahogany has a warmer, darker sound.
Some players may prefer the slightly extended treble of Sapele, while others may prefer the midrange emphasis of Mahogany. The bass response of Sapele and Mahogany is comparable.
In practice, the tone produced will depend on the relative quality and density of the individual pieces of wood. You can be sure that there are many Mahogany guitars with a similar treble response as Sapele.
Other Differences
Appearance
Both Sapele and Mahogany are pretty woods with a reddish-brown color. However, Sapele has a slightly brighter and more vibrant appearance than Mahogany, which tends to exhibit less dramatic wood grain. Here is an example of Sapele’s typical appearance (note the “Ribbon Stripe” figure).
In contrast, highly figured Mahogany is relatively rare, and is typically only found on expensive or luthier-built guitars. Taylor Guitars, for example, reserves the use of figured Mahogany to their limited edition models. Here is an example of Mahogany’s typical appearance:
Price
One of the biggest differences between Sapele and Mahogany is the price. Sapele is generally less expensive than Mahogany, which makes it a popular choice for budget-conscious guitar players. However, there is a caveat to this: Some luthiers feel that the Sapele available is of a higher quality than comparable Mahogany.
In other words, because high quality Mahogany is rarer and more expensive, in some cases the Sapele sets used for the back and sides of an acoustic guitar may very well be of superior quality than comparable sets of Mahogany.
Whether this is true or not, it says more about Sapele as a tonewood than it does about Mahogany. We are not saying that today’s Mahogany is inferior; rather, I encourage you to view Sapele as a high quality tonewood that is comparable to Mahogany. Of course, top grade Honduran Mahogany is still available, often for a significant premium in price.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Sapele and Mahogany for your guitar, as always, it comes down to personal preference. Sapele, with its more pronounced wood grain and balanced response, may charm you. Or, Mahogany’s midrange-focused sound and undisputed classic status as a tonewood may be the deciding factor.
Both woods offer a similar tonal profile, and the difference will likely come down to the individual guitar. Tonewood, though important, is only one variable in the recipe of how a guitar ultimately sounds. String choice, pick choice, and a guitar’s construction and overall quality are important factors as well. Happy Playing!