Acoustic Guitar: Rosewood vs. Mahogany Woods

Thread-Topic: Rosewood or mahogany for Recording

Hi Mickey,

Concerning recording, does a rosewood accoustic like an HD 28 sound as good recorded as a Martin D18?

Many are saying that the rosewood guitars don't record that well. They claim they get too boomy with the low E and too muddy in the G, B, and high E strings.

I'm just learning how to record so I'm not comfortable at this point judging for myself.

I would really appreciate your insight!

Thanks Much! Al B.

Greetings,

Yes, this is exactly what I've heard for many years. It appears that mahogany woods offer a cleaner recording signal. Another consideration is the body style...for a dreadnought guitar can also get too boomy for recording sessions...I personally like the thinner, smaller body acoustic guitars for their even tone from treble to bass and their amazing balance when recording. As you've referred to the Martins below, of which I've found to offer one of the best guitars you can find...even to this day. And, you know I'm being candid considering the fact that we do not carry the Martin line-up through FOTW. I own a Martin M-38 which has this very same balance in tone that seems to be ideal for recording. You have to be extra careful with the mic set-up when recording a dreadnought...their boominess can overpower a mic in close proximity. This isn't an issue with the M-38, or a small-body Martin. If you're recording bluegrass, then this option, for a thinner or smaller body guitar, would not apply...for bluegrass can only be achieved on a dreadnought. I'm not sure about the why's of mahogany as compared to rosewood??? I've listened to Norman Blake and his D-18 myriad times...and, to this day and am amazed at the tonal quality of his D-18.

Hope something here helps, Mickey