Wood combinations

[Avenger]

In my multi-year search for my acoustic (a gem of a Taylor with koa body and spruce top) I played many acoustics and know the general sound characteristics of the most common wood combinatons of body and top woods: rosewood/spruce, mahogany/spruce, rosewood/cedar, maple/spruce, koa/spruce, koa/koa and mahogany/mahogany.

Obviously there are infinite tonal variations in just these combinations, but I'm curious. Two combinations that I've not seen, but that on paper seem like they might sound interesting, are maple with a koa top or maple with a cedar top. I wonder what these might sound like.

Anyone played a guitar with these wood combinations?

[Antz_Marchin]

Hmmm, not sure that they exist with the exception of maybe some custom orders but I think KOA/Maple would be briiiiiiiiiiight to no end. Maple/Cedar night be ok though based on tonal characteristics, a nich bright shimmery Maple combined with a mellow/warm, responsive Cedar top to tame the Maple. Sounds nice but there has to be a reason it's not a common pair.

[PB Wilson]

The biggest reason cedar isn't paired with maple is the look. A dark top with a light back is pretty dang unconventional. Could sound great though.

[Antz_Marchin]

I'm not sure if that would be the reason for sure, I can see where you're coming from but nicely aged Sitka will come very close to a darker Cedar hue.

[royd]

I've played two guitars, a Weber and A Goodall that were maple with cedar tops. Both were wonderful guitars and the cedar did add a degree of richness that is often lacking in maple bodied acoustics.

I think PB is correct that the reason the two aren't often paired is the darker color of the cedar.

[Big0range]

I don't see mahogony body with a cedar top listed. I've got one of those, and love the sound. Not overly bright, very warm and pleasing. Probably not a sharp and crisp sounding as a maple body. I'm a huge fan of cedar soundboards, though.

[Avenger]

royd - What body sizes were the maple cedar guitars you played?

Big Orange - mahagany cedar sounds interesting too. What kind of guitar is it?

Another combo struck my mind too, what about koa with a cedar top? That might sound cool for an OM sized guitar.

[mikeo2]

+1 to the maple/cedar thing. Nice combo to my ear as well. I don't believe I've ever seen a maple/Koa guitar though (maybe for good reason?)

You could special order a Taylor that way and let us know though ;)

[Big0range]

The mahogany / cedar is a Harvey Leach dreadnaught (built in 1992), probably most comprable to his Franconia model. The fact that he builds a mighty fine guitar may have something to do with it's sound, but it's a great wood combination.

[royd]

royd - What body sizes were the maple cedar guitars you played?

The Weber was an OM and the Goodall was their Grand Concert size.

FWIW, all Lowdens are available with cedar tops and George's signature sound is a cedar top. Pierre Bensusan's mahogany and cedar O size Lowden is a prime example. I've had 3 Lowdens in my possession, two Indian Rosewood and one mahogany, all O size with with cedar tops.