Martin Tonewood Comparison - Mahogany vs Rosewood vs Maple

Today we have an awesome comparison between three small body custom Martin models… Rosewood vs Mahogany vs Maple. Which one sounds best to your ears?

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[jbc]

Once I heard one youtuber explaining these tonewoods in EQ way, it totally changed how I looked at it, especially maple, which I thought was bright as everyone says, but actually it’s the most balanced of these three. From EQ perspective it makes sense why it sounds more bright than the other two, but I don’t think it should be described as bright, it’s basically that lows, mids and highs are at pretty much same levels. With rosewood, mids are cut, so you hear more bass but also highs, and mahagony has lows and highs cut, so you hear mids the most. Maple doesn’t cut anything, so you hear everything the same, that’s all. To me it means that maple is one of three equal configurations and it goes down to taste or application for what to use the best.

[johncrane]

Mahogany: The virtuoso guitar for mere mortals. If I was going to be buried with it, it would have to be Rosewood as the heavenly smell is as close as I will probably get. If I am to play it all day: Mahogany (stellar sound + a justifiable price point). Justifiable = "Honey, I got this great deal on, yes, another guitar." Fantastic video!

[nivla]

The rosewood had the most projection and sounded less boxy - rosewood for me!

[BrianHoffpauer]

I've always played jumbos or dreads, never really ventured into the smaller body guitars other than my GSMini that I bought for travel. I have to say, I am very impressed with the tone of these. The mahogany sounds the best to me, but hard to tell via YT. Will have to get my hands on one and see how it sounds with my style of playing. You guys are the best!

[meljames]

I did enjoy them all but that maple, well I have a new appreciation for maple.

[robertwashburn]

I gots a D15M and the tone and aroma that comes from this beauty is Awe inspiring, Love my Martin Love my Lord and Love that He gave them “Martin company” the gumption to do what they do. Thank you Martin guitar co.

[Randorita]

I thought I was a rosewood guy, too, until I got a mahogany! I do love the smell of a rosewood when you first open the case, and yes, I may have breathed in the aroma from the sound hole! For overall sound, I would choose an 18 over a 28 any day!

[mikeopdenaker]

Thanks for the test ...very distinct differences...I liked the maple best...explains why I own a few...all great ...just, to my ear, I love that maple sound!

[badsteed]

Mahogany and Rosewood very similar. Maple was drastically different. All beautiful, but I prefer Mahogany

[MisterRorschach]

maple 1:47
rosewood 2:04
mahogany 2:18

[bobschmitt]

Really useful comparison! I never paid much attention to the back tonewood but learned I like the rosewood (deeper, richer) and maple (brighter, punchier) best. I now see that I need both :-)

[swillis]

My ear used to favor the richness of Rosewood. A few years and four guitars later I still have my eye on one or two others! One is never enough but it is a great place to start?

[julideatar]

DEMO’S
4:51 Mahogany
5:14 Rosewood
5:38 Maple

[Aan]

For Finger pick I would choose the Mable if it's strumming, then I would go for Mahogany. Yet again Quinn you were playing beautiful thank you for the show to both of you.

[texhaines]

If I was just playing, maybe the mahogany but the maple has a great voice. I would choose the Rosewood to sing with for the bass tones. Thanks Quinton and Paul.

[joedzekevich]

Great job. Very well done. Thank you.

[xetexuk]

This comparison didn't really surprise me, with rosewood - for me - being the boldest, out-there sound, the maple had a very sweet tone.

[RogerThat]

Mahogany please and thanks. For some reason, I always gravitate to that wood.

[torontolarrivee]

Love your videos, love this body style for little martins. My vote is for the rosewood.

[diag]

looking to get an all mahogany acoustic.

i have an all maple and, to me*, i think its only good for playing lead over other acoustics.