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African Mahogany
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Author:  apostleguitarcompany [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  African Mahogany
I went to my local Woodcraft today and was pleasantly surprised at their selection of lumber. Mahogany in particular. I looked at several pieces of Genuine Honduran Mahogany and ended up selecting a rather large piece to make necks with.

When I got home I discovered the tag on my board actually said African Mahogany.. it was right next to the Honduran. That's what I get for not paying enough attention.

Do any of you use it regularly for necks, or should I just use it for blocks on the inside of the guitar? It is a really nice board that is perfectly quarter sawn. I know I could make necks with it, just curious if honduran would be a better choice.

Thanks!
Garrett
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Author:  bcombs510 [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
Is it long enough to resaw into back and side sets? I have built a few ukes out of it, it’s nice. Sold as Khaya often times. I have a few sets I got from colonial before they closed too.


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Author:  bobgramann [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
I’ve made quite a few necks with it. The only real difference I’ve found is that the pores are a bit larger and take more filling than Honduran mahogany. I’ve had no performance issues with it and no trouble carving it. It’s even within the weight range for Honduran. Because of the pores, I prefer to use other woods, but Khaya works just fine for necks.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
There is nothing wrong with using African mahogany for necks. If it has the same qualities as Honduran it should make just as good of a neck. As with most wood species there is variability from tree to tree, and some overlap of characteristics with African (Khaya) and South American (Swietenia) mahoganies, so a good piece of African may be better than a poor piece of Honduran.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
It’s fine, use it up!
Author:  jfmckenna [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
Yup perfectly suitable for all parts of the guitar.

I do that stuff all the time too. A few months ago I thought I was ill with something. Chronic tiredness and headaches. I could not figure out what was wrong with me. Following my usual routine I made coffee that morning and as I was putting the bag away I saw the label... Decaffeinated laughing6-hehe

At the grocery I just reached up saw what I wanted but grabbed the wrong bag.
Author:  apostleguitarcompany [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
jfmckenna wrote:
Yup perfectly suitable for all parts of the guitar.

I do that stuff all the time too. A few months ago I thought I was ill with something. Chronic tiredness and headaches. I could not figure out what was wrong with me. Following my usual routine I made coffee that morning and as I was putting the bag away I saw the label... Decaffeinated laughing6-hehe

At the grocery I just reached up saw what I wanted but grabbed the wrong bag.
Lol! That might have had a little to do with it honestly. Was pretty tired for a trip and stopped by on my way home.
Thanks!

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Author:  apostleguitarcompany [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
bcombs510 wrote:
Is it long enough to resaw into back and side sets? I have built a few ukes out of it, it’s nice. Sold as Khaya often times. I have a few sets I got from colonial before they closed too.


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It is. I have another piece that is 5 feet long. It's a little over 9 inches wide. I thought about making a few sets out of it and might do that in addition to some necks.
Thanks!

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Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
I’d let it sit a week after cutting a neck blank to see if it moves.
The few times I used it I found it was not stable.
My local Woodcraft rocks! Rough lumber with a good price.
Author:  banjopicks [ Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: African Mahogany
I think it's a good idea to always rough cut necks and let them sit for a while. I have rough cut number to neck2 years ago, I don't think it's going to move much when I finish carve it. I don't even know what kind of mahogany I used, I bought 4x4 deck posts. It's marvelous wood and cheap.
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