African Mahogany and South American Mahogany are very similar, and both of them are perfect in the construction of classic guitar necks. The most important difference is that nowadays, African Mahogany has more availability worldwide. Common Mahogany is more difficult to obtain due to the legal restrictions, so African Mahogany has become its best alternative.
Also, African Mahogany is darker and easier to work with than common Mahogany, without forget that it is also less expensive.
Without any doubt, this wood is suitable for this part of the instrument since it has a uniform density and a warm tonality. Don’t miss the acoustic and physical proprieties of African Mahogany necks for your classic guitar of Maderas Barber.
BOTANIC NAME: Khaya ivorensis.
COMMON NAMES: Khaya, African mahogany.
ORIGIN: Cameroun.
DESCRIPTION: Density 490-530 kg/m3. Heartwood colour is variable, ranging from a very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. colour tends to darken with age. Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Easy to work, glue, and finish. Tear out can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked. Can cause eye and skin irritations.
DRYING: Fast drying. Risk of deformation and cracks.
USES: Guitar necks and heels, backs and sides, bindings, bodies for electric and bass guitars.
