If you go to a guitar shop, you are most likely to hear the names basswood and mahogany wood. These two types of wood are vastly popular in the musical instrument industry. They are highly preferred for their easy working nature and their pleasing natural appearance.
Basswood, a hardwood, is widespread and has a large diversity in the Asian territories. Mahogany is hardwood as well. They are tropical woods and are widely used for their unique texture and appearance that none other can provide.
Both basswood and mahogany are commonly in use. They are equally dependable and effective wood. However, there are some differences that we need to realize before we decide to sit with one of them. Let us get into a detailed discussion of their characteristics and uses.
Basswood vs Mahogany Wood – Difference
Basswood
Basswood is a hardwood that originated mainly from the territories of Asia. It is a very popular wood that is highly preferred because it is easy to work with and a very efficient kind of wood. Despite being hardwood, it is very light and soft. That makes it very convenient for workers to engage with it.
It is a finely-grained wood with a fine and even texture. Its grains are usually very straight, and its texture has a moderate natural luster. It has a reddish tinge in its heartwood and creamy white to pale brown hues in its sapwood. It is also an odorless wood, and it does not produce any unwanted odor even when processed for woodworking.
Basswood has high workability like any hardwood such as mahogany. It is also lighter in weight, and its soft nature provides the advantage of being finished and polished easily, even without any special treatment. However, unlike mahogany, it has low bending qualities, and it does not take the nailing and steaming process well.
Regarding durability, basswood ranks very low when compared to other woods. It is not suitable for outdoor applications and especially non-durable against decay. But they can be stained well. However, not coating them with paint will only lead to even less durability and longevity.
They are mainly used for musical instruments, veneer, puppet making, model building, etc. They are relatively lower in price than mahogany and are widely available.
Mahogany Wood
Mahogany, on the other hand, is also a hardwood that originates from Central and South America and Africa. It is amongst the most beautiful and aesthetic woods that are extensively used in the furniture building industry.
It has fine and long-straight grain patterns with a smooth texture that gives a beautiful appearance to it. They have a rich color that generally ranges from reddish-brown to dark chocolate brown hues, and with time, it gets even darker. However, that makes it a little difficult to stain, but it is not impossible.
Mahogany is a hardwood, but it is not amongst the hardest kind of woods. That makes them easy to work with, and they are also easily bendable. They can be cut better than other woods like basswood. It also has higher stability and is used for both interior and exterior applications.
However, even mahogany is not very durable. But unlike basswood, it is moderately durable and has a better rate of stability.
It is widely used for furniture, veneers, boatbuilding, cabinets, etc. But they are considered endangered. That results in higher pricing.
So we see it is important to analyze their differences to choose the one that will serve the best.