Cedar vs Mahogany Tone Test! - Which One Should You Buy?
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Time to test some tones! Today I am looking at the differences between two popular acoustic guitar woods! Take a listen to see which guitar you like the most!
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Mahogany sound more rich, deep and round, Cedar is more clean, pure. Mahogany for me :)
But mahagony is sold out 🥺
I love them both. I have a Morgan Mahogany Live that I'm just so enamored with. It's a beautifully understated piece. Yeah very nice.
Interesting. I agree, but it is interesting that the one with the darker wood is always seen as the guitar with a deeper sound. Can't be a coincidence. Look at his cedar v spruce video.
Might want some good quality mahogany guitars made in Cebu, Philippines for $150. Check out Beauty Magtiza Guitars on facebook
Same
Simple. Mahogany is supporting VOCALS (leaves room for the vocal frequencies) , if you don't sing and you only enjoy the guitar sound - go for the Cedar version!
to be honest I feel like mahogany occupies the same sonic space as vocals.
It's just opposite of what you said.
I had a cedar Seagull S6 that I liked but my wife absolutely hated the sound.
One day when I was at work she got rid of it by taking it into the local music store and used it as a $200 dollar trade in allowance on the guitar tone she liked..........a D28.
God I love that woman.
You made this old guy laugh outloud!!! Beautiful wife!!!
She's a keeper. The guitar and the wife!!
I was not expecting a good end. Marry her.
Amazing, does she have a sister??? lol
When she is done with you can I have her? I'll trade a 5120 Gretsch and some strings. Can she bring the D 28 with her? Send a pic of the D 28.
Was set on getting a Taylor spruce top the other week till I played a lower end Ibanez mahogany guitar. It was so full and warm that I fell in love instantly! 1/3 the cost of the model Taylor I was after and sounded better than some of the $3000 Taylors I played. Very happy with my Ibanez and I get to say my guitar smells of rich mahogany!
Cedar keeps the scorpions away, an important consideration here in Phoenix, but you're right, the Mahogany does sound *warmer*
No tonewood debates here, the sound is clearly different between the 2. Cedar for folk, strumming, country and classical and Mahogany for Blues, acoustic rock and Jazz. Both sound wonderful and well made.
Depends on the country or folk but I agree with classical a much better choice for cedar but I play a lot of country on my mahogany and it really sounds it out
The tonewood debate applies ONLY to electric guitars while plugged in. On acoustics, there's no debate.
The brightness and openness of the cedar wins for me. That said, there is a time and place for mahogany...and at that pricing, why not have both!
This was probably the best comparison that I've ever heard, and that's among many very very good comparisons. I especially liked the individual note. That's always the first thing I go to. Thank you! Orangewood has come up with a great accessible concept. May they spawn many a new musician! Best & cheers, Sean
I have just purchased a mahogany guitar. Have always had spruce or cedar. Wanted something different. The smooth and warm sound of mahogany is what I have been missing and looking for. Both sound great but, mahogany is where I went.
The gold standard in guitar reviews continues. Great array of acoustic styles and tones, good way to sample both. I'd have to go with Cedar myself.
Constable 1976 I think you mean gold standard in guitar advertisements 🤷
Mahogany has a warmer, deeper, and rich sound. The high-end tone is great. The bass and treble are more rich and amplified. Mahogany absorbs vibration. Cedar has the brighter sound I love mahogany and I won't change it
I listened to this through my phone and there was a big difference, to me. I thought the mahogany guitar was richer in tone and to me it stood out more. I've been looking at these guitars for a while and I think I've found the one I want. Thank you Darrell
Cedar tone is brighter and crisp treble on high note.. Cedar is suitable for a band of musicians with separate bass player..
Mahogany tone is darker and more bass, with mid emphasize .. for solo guitar performance or personal practice, I go for Mahogany..
Mahogany is sounds great for every style of playing except strumming. It seems its always gonna be that way.
Which guitar did you guys like the best in both looks and sound?
Enjoy the comparison!
Probably mahogany for my style of playing. But I am a beginner so I really can't say much. 😂
Great video as always! Have a good week. 👍
Cedar:)
I'm partial to the crisp clear mids and highs that the Cedar top gives, and I can always add more tone or bass if I want to.
Cedar, there's something about having those highs when you want them and the articulation you need if you are using acoustic as a subdivider or rhythm (like in contemporary worship, my main genre) I like being able to warm up a sound with an eq, rather than having to brighten it, it's much easier one way than the other.
Cedar sounds better to me. Almost piano-like. The way I play acoustic guitar it's better to have a brighter clearer tone, with mixing rhythm and lead at the same time and hitting the thicker strings while muted to have a "drum" track. I much prefer the look of the mahogany though. I have 4 acoustic guitars with "light wood" (dunno if they're cedar or what) so I'd love to get a mahogany one just for variety. I have too many guitars as it is though, 10 at the moment. Can't stop buying them...
The cedar is my favorite-mahogany sounds good, but the cedar was brighter and much more lively to me as well. Just bought a cedar top guitar.
I cant make my mind.
BIll West mine too! The mahogany was warmer, but lacking that sparkle.
Wouldn’t the better comparison be spruce vs cedar? Both are soft woods.
I just loved the silky smooth sound of the mahogany. Especially during the finger picking section. The frequencies seemed more balanced and warm. Funny how at the end of the day it's all subjective.
Mine too. I have my canadian solid cedar top at home, sounds totally amazing
Due to this video received an Oliver today. I have 3 Furchs, a guild, an Ibanez and a 50 year old handmade Yamaha steel string. I simply cannot believe how good this Oliver sounds for $225. The neck intonation is absolutely perfect. Resonance sustain and overtones just blow me away.
I think ceder is too bright. but i like the mellow sound of mahogany, thanks
Too bright??????? Cedar is not supposed to be bright. Spruce is
@@maraviyoso8473 why should anyone care which wood is "supposed to sound bright"? what matters is how it *actually* sounds...
@@TonyMacaroni69_ well, cedar won't sound bright. Ever. Sitka will.
@@maraviyoso8473 ok cool
As always great video. I have a spruce and mahogany guitar, now I'm going to want a cedar. Oh the joy and agony of it all!
The video quality is just stunning. I am watching on a decent tv and it is amazing. As good, if not better than any public broadcaster. Literally brilliant.
There were moments in the comparison i think cant be disputed that the Cedar projected better and was more clear. Cedar all the way for me.
The Cedar you can feel resonate the whole guitar, deeper sound, the other seemed to dampen faster & had a more Classical Sound. The Mahogany looks So Good though. Every guitar has its own sound. My wife will never understand that 😂😂
Wow. Thanks so much for doing such a wonderfully in depth review for those of us out here wondering about these types of things. This was perfect playing the same parts side by side. This is hands down the most informative video I've come across.
you should have a playlist with all this type of comparison, this are PERFECT
Have to agree with you Darrell. Both sounded great but I kind of go with the mellower Mahogany sound myself these days being an older player. :)
I'm a drummer, mostly do country music drumming and church worship music drumming. But your channel and channels like Jared dines and Stevie T make me so happy. I love music of all kinds and all of your such talented guitarists and with me having depression you guys make me happy tune every time you post. Thank you so much, God bless and I wish you nothing but the best! My name is Gabe, I'm 26 years old and hope to start playing the bass.
I'm a worship guitarist :) I like all these channels as well
I love how technical and careful this review is, definitely getting a follow
Sunny Cedar vs Moon-y Mahogany
- you're always going to need more clarity in the sequence of treble notes while the bass notes just ring...
- even if you strum you don't want bass drowning out the details.... so I go for the cedar
Sweet guitars for $195. I like the cedars shimmer over the mahogany bite. They are both very nice sounding instruments.
I love the look of the Mahogany but the Cedar sounds much better to me. Much fuller sound. I have a Takamine Jasmine with a Spruce top and have been looking for a second more professionally set up guitar. I was almost sold on the Mahogany because of sheer looks, but after listening to the difference, especially on the strumming, it's clear to me the cedar is the one that I will be looking to get.
I prefer the mahogany sound because it’s a deeper tone
$195 yes, but for us Canadians (like you), we must be aware that $195 US is closer to $300. I have also noticed there is no drop down option for shipping to Canada right now (it will not be free). I think in Canada a much better choice from a quality and value standpoint would be a Seagull, Norman, Simon Patrick, etc. All have solid back and side options as well.
Nice to see a demo comparison where literally the only thing different is the top. Thanks Darrell.
A great presentation. Yes the cedar is brighter, but for me i like the rounder softer woody sound of the mahogany. it seems richer. Presenting the difference of top woods is great. you don't see enough of it. Thank you so much .
I'm a little surprised at myself. As a player for almost 35 years, and many as a studio/session player, I thought this was an easy guess. Full disclosure, I have an all-mahogany Taylor in my collection. The only cedar-topped guitars I own are classical or gypsy (all nylon string) and a Russian guitar that is cedar/spruce with steel strings. So, fingerpicking I definitely preferred the mahogany. The notes sounded much more rich and warm. The brightness of the cedar sounded a bit brittle to me on single notes. But, when strumming, the cedar top sounded better. It sounded less muddy than the mahogany and stood out in the mix better. Learn new sh*t every day. Thanks, Darrell.
Agree with this - happy owner of a FS850 (mahogany).
Hihi I am a mahogany top user
I would like to change string .
Thinking to change 80/20 or Phosphor.
I prefer much bass sound .which one do you all recommended?
Glad and appreciate if you guys replied 🥰
The first time I heard an all mahogany guitar was at a Chet Atkins concert in the late 60's and I loved the tone. I've had an all mahogany 63 SG, 65 Melody Maker, and I nearly bought an all mahogany Guild Starfire V because I loved the tone. But I preferred the Gibson neck so I bought an ES335 instead. This just reconfirms my preference for Mahogany.
Bought my dad a cutaway version of the mahogany one about a month ago. Awesome guitar. He loves it; it plays great, and it sounds awesome. I’d recommend spending a little extra and getting one with the Fishman pickup.
From Leo: I like the cedar top, but it is by a narrow margin. I normally buy spruce tops. The fact that those are both entry level guitars is even more amazing. What a great value for either of them.
If I were shopping for one I would probably go with cedar, but I did think the mahogany with the capo was nicer sounding.
Cedar still has my heart❤ Thanks for the great video as always Darrell!
Cedar much brighter good for strumming ... mahogany much warm and detail good for metal instrumental songs.
Charles Affentranger that’s exactly my opinion
Right
I tend to agree with that. The twangier brighter sound is better for strumming. I play mostly finger style and classical and mahogany is a much better match for this. I have a FS850 (mahogany) and its wonderful, glad I choose mahogany over the cedar, oh and btw, its looks great in real life.
This is the best acoustic guitar comparison video on the internet. Others should view this as a tutorial.
I loved the warmth of the Mahogany guitar, it sounded smooth. Thanks, very good review.
Although both are Grand Concert shape but I felt that Mahogany model is gonna be pretty good for all the fingerpicking stuff, it is just more clear that way.
As for Cedar, I believe it's a good balance for someone who is gonna be playing rhythm as well as some fingerpicking.
I thought the same things you did when I listened. For the price, why not buy both?! 🎸😎 Great video as always. God bless and rock on.
I so appreciate this short-riff, side-by-side comparison. Very easy to compare. The differences were pronounced. I can’t believe how inexpensive the demo’d guitars are. I appreciated both guitar tones, but you are right, this demo is spectacular confirmation of the traditional distinctions between these two tone woods. As a fingerstyle player, I prefer the cedar, but I was shocked when I heard how muted the mog sounded when strummed. Dang! Anyway, thanks.
As a block zero beginning guitarist of four months even I could tell the tone difference. For most styles the mahogany won out. However when strumming the cedar clearly sounded better to my ears. Choice made.
Keep up with gold standard of reviews. Thanks Darrell.
Great comparison! :)
I like the slightly brighter tone of the cedar top, although I can appreciate the warmer sound from magohany. For me it's a bit like comparing Yamaha and Roland digital pianos where I normally prefer the brighter, almost metallic, sound of the Yamaha. Back to the guitars, I think I would pick the cedar top one. :)
/Per in Stockholm, Sweden
the all mahogany guitar doesn't fit with 80/20 bronze strings... if you put phosphor bronze strings on it,, it would sound so much much better than the cedar one.....
I preferred them both for different applications. For $200 these are stunning guitars. Wow!! Great video, Darrell! Thanks!
I've had my Orangewood Morgan Mahogany Live for about 2 weeks. I love it! Wanted something with a different sound from my spruce top Tayor GS mini and I also wanted something that looked different. Home run on both the sound and looks. These Orangewood guitars are stunning at any price point, but you will be blown away. Just try one.
Right you are my friend, I have the same one in the cutaway version, and I love the looks, and sound, to me it's stunning.
I'm sorry mine is the Spruce top
Cedar - but i bought a cedar one for just the reasons shown in the video (the eq-curve of the sound can be tuned somewhat with strings, tuning etc.) - so i guess my next pick would be an mahogany one.
Both good, but in different ways.
The mahogany top sounds great! The cedar top isn't without its charm, but for me ... mahogany. $195? Wow. Just wow.
I have their 3/4 size Dana in all mahogany. Love love love it. My full size acoustic is a Seagull S6 with a cedar top, and this same difference is there.
The mahaogany sounds is beautiful across all strings and range. Lovely with finger style.
I have both tone woods in my collection (along with spruce and koa) and enjoy both immensely. They both have a place in the guitar world. If I had to pick only one, I would go with cedar. I just connect a little stronger with that vibe. My current cedar topped guitar is a Teton STA105CENT that sounds amazing! Sounds like Orangewood is on to something as far as budget guitars are concerned. Overall, Chinese produced guitars have improved tremendously just in the last ten years. Crazy what you can get for under 300 dollars these days.
I realized why I chosed a cedar top for my first guitar. I love its tone.
I have the Mahogany...the warmness fits my style. I like the Cedar also, but prefer spruce over Cedar any day.
Just ordered the mahogany( deep and warm sound)... your videos are always 100% helpful. Thanks Darrell for sharing your wealth of knowledge and talent with all of us.
I assumed I'd prefer the mahogany (I like dry and earthy), but actually couldn't decide. The cedar surprised me. In the end, I think it would be a question of mood and/or the specific sound I wanted in a given situation.
Cedar all the way. The articulation and the depth is on point.
Frankly I am just impressed how good these sound. They both have great tone for the $$. I lean towards the mahogany because of the warmth, but that cedar is so bright.
Sounds like you copied my remark to Darrell Braun word for word lol, I love mine. Good choice haha.
Nice of you to feature this Sir...I prefer the mahogany!
Mahogany for sure just because it’s really warm and round sounding and it sounds really full which I love :)
I love the sound of the cedar! But I've always had an preference for dark woods aesthetically. If I could get the sound of the cedar in the look of the mahogany, I'd have found my acoustic heaven.
Same. Perhaps there's a way to stain the cedar to make it the same colour
I think Cedar-top gives a more well-rounded sound for a lot of different styles. But I must say that in the 3rd comparison (capo 5 Fingerstyle!) I really liked the mahogany one better!... but that could just be myself liking that clearer tone separation, on that specific part of the guitar?.. who knows. I have a "Walden" Cedar top acoustic guitar and sounds great.
I ended up buying the cedar top. It was a tough choice but the bluesy fingerstyle sold me on the cedar. I upgraded to the live version ( acoustic electric). Thx DBG
Thank you for a great review...they way you did it made it easy to compare the sounds. I think I like the bright sound of the cedar better. Both sound great for the the price.
Excellent video. Don't forget to mention that Orangewood guitars are set up in California prior to shipping to the customer. I just ordered an Orangewood Oliver Mahogany Live for Christmas.
Mahogany is my favorite for acoustic
Thanks for the great Tone Test! I just bought both. The hell with it...
To me the cedar sounded more balanced, especially in the midrange. The mahogany seemed to be really weak in the midrange. I'd take the cedar.
I have the mahogany Oliver and it is great for on the go playing around town. The cedar is bright but I enjoy the warm mahogany sounds!
Strictly amateur guitarist here, and this sort of scenario is where it shows. Listening through inexpensive speakers plugged into my iMac - I'm pretty much the opposite of an audio purist. Not much difference to my ear when strumming, but when picking, the mahogany top seemed…well… not exactly "brighter," but more crisp. Darrell thought the mahogany notes were "rounder," which I take to mean "softer around the edges," and that's exactly what I though - for the cedar top! I'd be happy to play either one.
Cedar, just purchased another from orangewood. My 3rd one now from them. Great action and sounds for the price.
I liked Mahogany for the fingerstyle, Cedar for strumming and picking.
Yes, that's my take on it too. Own a FS850, and lovely tone for finger style, classical too.
My first "real" (read: non beginner) guitar was a Takamine EAN40C. It can never be replaced because it has it's own growth over the past 20 years. The Cedar grows and gets incredibly dark and boomy. I still remember how bright it was,much like in this video but the damn thing should shake a room now it's so thick. I have had tons of guitars but this one goes everywhere with me and is always my go to.
I can't make up my mind....I'm a beginner and this is tough. I hear the differences but I don't know what type of playing I'll do most of. I know I won't be doing anything "bluesy". Typically I like mellow and deeper sounding instruments. I picked a set of bagpipes that had lower sounding drones and resonated better than just loud raspy ones.
That cedar sound is absolutely gorgeous. Very resonant and bright
Mahogany is my spirit wood and those tops from Orangewood are flippin' GAWGEOUS! A mahogany Oliver Jr is my next purchase due in no small part to your reviews
The mahogany type is the one I like. The sound of it is warm and rich
The perfect tonewood comparison! Your such a good player!
The only mahogany top guitar I own is a 12-string Guild, using a dreadnaught body. The warmth of the mahogany top keeps the brightness from drowning out the lows compared to my old Sigma 12-string with a spruce top. Years ago, I was checking out a cedar top as an alternative for spruce for a classical guitar so I could get the warmth of a old classical guitar without waiting for decades for a spruce top to age. I got a spruce top one anyway, so my sons will enjoy its "warmth" when I'm gone. Enjoyed your video, Darrell!
From what I've heard on CZcams, I'm really impressed with Orangewood guitars. Might have to add one to my stable in the future. Problem would be setting aside the Taylor 700 series even for a moment to play anything else after having paid such a hefty price. Maybe I should buy an Orangewood for my son instead to keep him off my Taylor.
Personally I preferred the Cedar guitar. A nice warm and rounded tone to it compared to the other one.
Extra cedar brightness handy if you only change your strings once in a blue moon
I really like the more low, bellow tones, of the Mahogany.
Mahogany is much warmer. Both sound very clear and articulate. Both would be wonderful to own.
Ceder is like a Tele when recording. It just cuts trough. Good luck with that on a Mahogany guitar.
But yeah, the highs are annoying sometimes with the ceder, it depends.
If you're a strummer go with the mahogany.
Before I was absolutely shure, that I would like the cedar more. But now I admit, that I found the mahognay to sound better.
The cedar was certainly brighter, but I preferred the warm tones of the mahogany. The only place it failed was that low E string, it needs more definition. Perhaps a different set of strings or a different gauge?
i think the obvious thing is, well for me, it is is to consider your playing style, as a gigging musician, i have diffrent guitars to do specific jobs, just as a luthier has diffrent tools to achieve diffrent results, in this test you simply have to go with the consensus that the cedar is brighter and perhaps a little volatile, and the Mahogany is warmer, but for me the mahogany is just a great all-rounder,
I bought an Orangewood Oliver Mahogany a while back (your video introduced me to them) and honestly....I dont regret it, but I wish I had picked up one of their Cedar guitars instead. That bright tone is to die for! Unfortunately, I only bought it for looks because I absolutely LOVE the look of mahogany.
An excellent like-for-like comparison. I prefer the open, clear sound of the cedar top. But my brother has a 1980s Guild D25 with a mahogany top that sounds absolutely stellar. Probably the best guitar I have ever heard as far as my particular tastes are concerned.
I’d have to say the Mahogany was actually muddy, cedar sounded great.
Based on play style and the type of music you are making
sounded muddy to me too
I like the look and sound of the Mahogany. I always listen to a Darrell review before buying a guitar. He sold me on my Firefly 338.
I'm not a huge fan of the typical dreadnought sound. That said, I loved the sweet, lilting sound of the mahogany top. To my ear it seems better suited for accompanying a singer. Since that's how I like to use a guitar it's perfect for me.
Excellent video by the way, absolutely perfect comparison, thanks!
The cedar has more depth and clarity to the sound. They both sound good, but I definitely preferred the cedar.
Both sound great but I liked the cedar top.
Cedar kicks butt! Mahogany looks better though.
My Washburn has a cedar top and a maple back. Very fascinating combo. Wonderful for fingerstyle.
Thank you for uploading this video! I wanted Mahogany for the looks but I like the sound of Cedar more
I’m a cedar guy all the way because I’m old and have some hearing loss in the low end. The cedar guitar breaks through and I hear it better.