Sapele is African mahogany.... African Mahogany isn't actually a mahogany species at all it's just the name that most makers use for Sapele to make consumers think they are getting a true mahogany. Some makers even go as far as calling Sapele a "true genuine mahogany" when it's not... When true mahogany starting getting scarce builders started silently using sapele and labeled it as African Mahogany and that's were the confusion started.... Sapele is actually a denser wood than Mahogany and is closer to teak or red oak in strength/hardness. However it resonates and performs similar to mahoganies. It can be hard to tell the difference visually but usually you'll see more profound ribbons/stripes in sapele. True Mahogany was added to the endangered woods list last year (or the year before) so the only true mahogany models you're likely to see are smaller bodied and/or on the higher end models which are made from stock piled materials... It's going to end up being like EIR or Brazilian with the newer mahogany guitars being made from stump wood and pieces that had been deemed unsuitable before the ban now bringing top prices. For a good grade mahogany guitar now you either have to pay a premium or buy used 
They'll start grading it basedon visual appeal which in short means it doesn't sound good but looks nice....
76 2012-03-14 18:29:51
Re: Question about Taylor Guitars (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
78 2012-03-14 15:03:19
Topic: Should you buy another guitar? (19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
79 2012-03-14 14:37:01
Re: Question about Taylor Guitars (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
LOL ....Yea duh on my part 
I took it by it's other meaning as in a Mistake or a Fault 
The other didn't even cross my mind this morning...
80 2012-03-14 14:07:30
Re: Question about Taylor Guitars (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
What "clanger" are you speaking of?
81 2012-03-13 18:22:09
Re: Sheet protectors for song printouts (5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I need to go by and get some of these.... I've slipped bad on keeping the books up to date Heck I haven't even printed a song in the last 3 years 8{
82 2012-03-13 16:28:38
Re: Question about Taylor Guitars (21 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Top thickness, bracing design, etc.. all play a role but to me what sets Taylor apart from most major brands is that they actually tap tune the tops so you get the best tone out of each guitar Most companies build by specs and that doesn't work optimally with wood because every piece is different. If I wasn't a Yairi guy I'd be a Taylor one
83 2012-03-07 13:25:00
Re: I have a new best friend (16 replies, posted in Acoustic)
I play landslide travis picked with capo on 3rd fret C: 032010 G/B:020030 Am7:002010 G/B:020030
84 2012-03-06 03:40:19
Re: How the guitar works. (8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
85 2012-03-06 03:34:37
Topic: How the guitar works. (8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I posted this a few years ago but couldn't find the thread to bring it back... However I thought some of the newer members might enjoy it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-HtN_HK … ure=relmfu I have part 2 somewhere and will try to locate it and get it up soon.
86 2012-03-06 03:03:41
Re: A little knowledge can save a little money.Ask an old timer first. (13 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
About the wood breathing... 90% of woods absorption and dissipation is done through end grain. Meaning spots like the outer edges of the top and the inside edge around the top and bottom of the soundhole... So applying a heavy finish or even wax to the top (though not recommended) won't really affect the aging process. It will affect tone though.
87 2012-03-05 20:23:51
Re: A little knowledge can save a little money.Ask an old timer first. (13 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Pledge and other furniture polishes (including many Guitar Polishes) are really a no no.... Furniture polish especially will build up over time hindering top vibrations on acoustics and thus affecting tone... Most luthiers will tell you to use nothing but a slightly damp rag and then buff with a dry one. Also be very careful using any product that contains silicone as it never dries and can complicate future repairs...
88 2012-03-03 22:22:53
Re: Need chords (2 replies, posted in Song requests)
Capo on 6 and the main progression is C F G The chorus adds an Am before the C in parts...
89 2012-03-01 21:47:27
Re: Breedlove Retro OM/ER (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Market Place)
Go for it Zurf!! I've had some things come up (about $1200 worth of scouting stuff for the troop and camp fees for the kids) that has prevented me from getting a new guitar at the moment... The Lions club here in town is supposed to sponsor the scouts but they haven't helped in years and right now it's being run out of my (and the other Scout Masters) pocket until we get more sponsors and some fund raisers underway...
I've already told him to sale it if anyone else was interested. It's a great deal!
90 2012-02-25 05:05:44
Re: Buying a guitar (18 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Are you thinking another dread or a smaller body? Yamaha does make some some great guitars... If you're wanting fairly new (gently used) I'd consider either a LS or LL 16 series Yamaha.... They're a real gem tonally If you're wanting Vintage be very cautious with yamahas, they're known for developing bad neck angles and needing a reset which is very costly with them being dovetail and hide glued... Just be sure to ask plenty of questions and ask for plenty of pics Make sure the action is fairly low and you have enough saddle above the bridge for further adjustment. Other than that, A 70's Yamaha Red Label Nippon Gakki would be an excellent choice... IMO
I'll second Godin also (Simon & Patrick, Norman, Art & Lutherie, Seagull, etc..) They're slightly shorter scale making them easier to play and giving them a slightly "looser/more mellow" tone. You could find a S&P Pro or Seagull Artist used in that price range and they are both great guitars with the only real difference being the 1.8 vs 1.72 inch nut width... The only real word of caution about buying these used is to be careful for excessive bellying in models over 7 years old.... Before then they were true flat top guitars and while they sound excellent they are prone to bellying so just be careful if buying online. About 7 years ago they switched to slightly radiused top that solved the problem but to me they don't sound quite as lively as the flat tops so it was a little of a design trade off. But then again ageing could be a factor there.... I've got 2 of the first S&P Pro's and a newer S&P Showcase. The new ones are more heavily built and braced...
I'd like to add Yairi to your list as well Didn't see that coming huh guys...lol It's no secret that I'm a Yairi nut!! IMPO They are the best bang for the buck out there! I'm especially partial to the 70's thru early 80's models 
91 2012-02-23 00:01:06
Re: Recommendations for a Classical Guitar: Budget ~$300 (8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
I thought it might come in kinda low for a Yairi considering..... Ended up selling for 282.00
92 2012-02-21 22:36:38
Re: Martin OOO-CXE ? (11 replies, posted in Acoustic)
You know necks can be sanded and buffed... Just sayin' I've tried one too and didn't like it for tonal reasons, plus I've never really liked martin's playability... But my point is to keep in mind that small things like a rough or satin finished neck can easily be fixed if the price is right and the tone worth it.
93 2012-02-21 18:47:12
Re: Recommendations for a Classical Guitar: Budget ~$300 (8 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-YAIRI-AND- … 500wt_1287 May be worth keeping your eye on if your ready to buy soon....
94 2012-02-20 13:59:11
Re: World-wide Jamm Session (32 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I'll have to find the link but we did this a few years ago and have a live feed Chordie page already set up. Members could log on and see what others were available to play with via video and audio feed. It worked nicely and I played along with a few members but it didn't catch on and the thread faded away..... I still play with people from youtube pretty often and it's a great way to share ideas
95 2012-02-18 19:25:37
Re: New Music (23 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Ever tried any Slackkey or Bossa Nova?? 2 of my favorite styles to play...
96 2012-02-16 21:24:40
Re: Why Do Guys Learn Guitar? (25 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I'm a little different.... I've never really been a big music fan. I didn't learn to play because I wanted to learn a song or perform. For me it was the challenge of learning... I wanted to see if I could do it! It looked hard and I love a challenge...lol
97 2012-02-16 19:43:45
Re: THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
whitewater55 wrote:I used the definition of Freemasonry as a religion because for many of the founding fathers, the practice of Freemasonry and attendance at Masonic meetings was likely far more influencial on their lives than any religion practiced. Freemasonry can be seen as a philosophy much akin to religion.
9 of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons.
13 of 39 signers of the Constitution were Masons.
14 Presidents were Masons.37 out of 39 of the signers of Constitution were Christian and 52 out of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christian.
All of our Presidents have been Christians.Wouldn't swear by these numbers but they're as close as I could find.
This is where it get's tricky... At that time almost any faith in any "creator" was classified generally as"Christian" You need to understand how it was back then...Christian Colonists branded non-christians on the forehead with red-hot irons, bore them through their tongues, confiscated their property and threw them in jail, hanged them and burned them at the stake... So admitting that you were not a Christian wasn't very popular. If you've read the private letters I posted above from that time period you'll see Jefferson addressing his own concerns about being judged over his true beliefs.. So IMO it makes accounts of their beliefs inaccurate at best with everyone feeling that they needed to hide their true beliefs... I also believe this is one of the main reasons for their intended wall between church and state and the lack of religious references in the constitution...
From a 1796 treaty from Washington and Adams:
98 2012-02-15 18:42:21
Re: THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I dont see anything wrong with the pledge of allegiance or having God on our currency when this country won its independance the founding fathers based the bill of rights and our constitution on fundamental beliefs rooted it Christianity
I disagree with this... Influenced by Christian morals would be more accurate. And even that is confusing because "Christian Morals" is used to describe morals supported by Christianity.. Not to say that they are a "Christians" morals... A wall is intended to be between church and state.
There's a huge difference between basing a constitution on Chirstian "beliefs" vs christian supported morals~
This is a debate that has been going on forever and going by quotes and exerts is really misleading... I think reading through the private letters between Jefferson and Adams is interesting though and gives a good insight as to their intent http://www.scribd.com/doc/12305/T-Jeffe … ms-letters
99 2012-02-10 03:02:26
Re: Breedlove Retro OM/ER (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Market Place)
Cool, sounds good man! I'm 99% sure I want it but will wait for the email and pics Send me a shipping quote as well to 28431. Thanks! -Chris
100 2012-02-10 00:43:02
Re: Breedlove Retro OM/ER (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Market Place)
Very interested:) How are the electronics? Can you email me some additional pics? Thanks! More than likely I'll pick this up from you