"The Tree" - Ultimate Mahogany? - GuitarTalk Community

zohn · 2010-02-25T13:11:00+00:00

Quilted Honduran Mahogany - article from the R Taylor web-site http://www.rtaylorguitars.com/Woods-Backs-Sides-08.aspx "It was found deep in the outer reach...

"The Tree" - Ultimate Mahogany?

Bob-Dubery

AFAIK there is no way that anybody could have known if that tree trunk was going to show this figuring until it was quartered. So whilst this is very lovely wood, it seems to me that this story has been romanticised just a tad.

More likely it was getting hard to get Honduran mahogany but there was some law that said that if a log had already been felled you could use that, so they saw this one lying in a ravine and went after it.

Jack-Flash-Jr

X-rated Bob wrote: AFAIK there is no way that anybody could have known if that tree trunk was going to show this figuring until it was quartered. So whilst this is very lovely wood, it seems to me that this story has been romanticised just a tad.

More likely it was getting hard to get Honduran mahogany but there was some law that said that if a log had already been felled you could use that, so they saw this one lying in a ravine and went after it.

Well, better not voice that opinion when the R. Taylor team presents you with your surprise gift, Bob.

singemonkey

X-rated Bob wrote: AFAIK there is no way that anybody could have known if that tree trunk was going to show this figuring until it was quartered. So whilst this is very lovely wood, it seems to me that this story has been romanticised just a tad.

More likely it was getting hard to get Honduran mahogany but there was some law that said that if a log had already been felled you could use that, so they saw this one lying in a ravine and went after it.

My thought exactly. I wonder how advertising copywriters convince themselves that there's a difference between what they do and what the rest of us call, "lying." >☹

AlanRatcliffe

X-rated Bob wrote: AFAIK there is no way that anybody could have known if that tree trunk was going to show this figuring until it was quartered.

Bingo!

singemonkey wrote:I wonder how advertising copywriters convince themselves that there's a difference between what they do and what the rest of us call, "lying." >☹

There is a difference - they get paid large sums of folding green stuff to do it.

SvR65

This is where the rest of The Tree went to: My Favourite Luthier - Kevin Ryan... ?
If you want to read his version/ recollection of The Tree go check out this link -

http://www.ryanguitars.com/NewsandEvents/GuitarsForSale/Dragonfly.htm

ZarK

Sorry Guys (off topic...), but I just couldn't resist when reading the title and article... it immediately started me thinking of my new instruments both with "Tree of Life" abalone and Pearl neck inlays on what I personally believe to be the "Ultimate Mahogany" electric guitars... I am honestly in love with ‘em, but shall try to stay open-minded with regards to my very high rating of these...

The quilted mahogany used on the acoustic guitars in the photos is incredible!! I love beautiful, selected woods on instruments… Don’t know about the story, but I do appreciate those guitars… My next guitar will probably be an electric-acoustic nylon string. (Lots of research to be done when the time comes as I’m not nearly clued-up enough on acoustics -especially realized when reading some of your posts... ? )

Kind Regards.

singemonkey

I feel compelled to say that flamed maple is about as far out on the limb (as it were) as I can go. Quilted woods are just a bridge to far for me (It's clichéd metaphor mixing Saturday). On guitars or furniture, it's just too much, imo.

Tokai-SA

Seems a lot of companies own the same "tree".

ZarK

zohn wrote: Hi Zark
Those electrics of yours are nice indeed. Something mystic about quilted wood that catch the eye hey?
I can direct you to a couple of electro-nylons as I'm sure Keira can as well. The first is the one I've got - Takamine's EAN-60. It comes in Cedar top with Mahogany sides and (solid) back, and great electronics with a built-in tuner. Cort makes a nice one too callaed the AC-15, and it is the most affordable of the lot.
I played a great Yamaha NTX1200 last week at Lovemore's. It is all solid wood Spruce/rosewood guitar with a shallow body, but it rings forever... it retails for about R10k.

There's a Cort up for sale for a good price at http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Cort-Nylon-string-acoustic-guitar-with-pickup-R-1800-W0QQAdIdZ188364847

Thanks for the info! I'll check out your recommendations and definitely ask for some guidance in the forum before purchasing a new electric-acoustic. My wallet won’t allow me to purchase anything straight away after the recent acquisition of the two pictured j-customs... Out of the relatively less expensive acoustics I’ve seen and played, I've always been partial to Yamaha guitars...