Tone Wood for an Amp Build?

[Last]

Hello guys/gals.

I'm kind of confused as to where to post this but seeing my question relates mostly towards how sound is effected by different timbers I though it best to try here.

I have a good friend building me a 5E7 Bandmaster Tweed Amp & he has on hand Mahogany & Cherry Timber for this build.

Which would be the best & please don't suggest Pine as this is not an option. It's going to have to look as good as it will hopefully sound with the wood used.

Which one of the two either Mahogany or Cherry Wood would you choose?

Many thanks to all that reply. I really appreciate the input.

I am currently leaning towards the Mahogany though I know it will have a very deep Bass Response. He is going to do some Ebony & or Rosewood Inlay work as well but not so much that it would really make a difference.

Thanks!

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

Quartersawn white pine . Many cabnets use Birch

 

[alk-3]

As a cabinet maker, I say cherry. One of the most beautiful woods in the world, and it gets better and better with age.

 

[SiriusAbbott]

Cherry

 

[alvarado1357]

If I could have amps built to my spec, and I had unlimited funds, I would go with birch marine ply.

Then, I would have that covered with Tolex.

Mind you, unlimited funds....

I'm guessin you want a real nice looking cab for yer amp, since it's gonna get inlays and all. I'd go with cherry for that, pretty wood, and saves some mahogany for guitars....

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

The baffle board ( the wood the speakers are screwed to ) shapes the tone. Many designs have these floating so they can resonate.

 

[ojedad23]

cherry

 

[Last]

The baffle board ( the wood the speakers are screwed to ) shapes the tone. Many designs have these floating so they can resonate.

Forgot to mention that the Baffle Board would indeed be Birch.

I didn't know that it had such an influence on the tone/sound as much as the entire cabinet would.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[alvarado1357]

Flick is right, if there's one area of the amp cab that has the most impact on tone, it's the baffle. Geometry is probably the 2nd most important factor after that, then choice of material. That's prolly a point to argue, as MDF is a huge tone suck regardless of anything else.

 

[Last]

Makes a lot more sense now.

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to see if he has enough Cherry Wood to do it with.

Really appreciate the insight & suggestions as well as the explanations of how & why.

 

[bfcg]

The area inside the cab has a lot to do with the sound. The void free baltic birch is not considered a tone wood but it is dense and heavy. Pattern grade like die makers use, not the HD or Lowes stuff. I would go with the cherry if you are not going to cover it.
The baffle and the inside dimensions are more important than what wood is used. If it is an open back then just use what ever you have hanging around.
Just my opinion.

 

[Last]

Here's some of his recent work.

 

[alvarado1357]

boy, that's purdy

 

[C Squared]

here's some of his recent work.

sweet!!!!

 

[csparks75]

Here's some of his recent work.

That is OUTSTANDING!

 

[Ole'Lefty]

Why not Brazilian? I'd like to see close ups of his dovetail work. His end product looks great. You could fly that by most wives and they would not complain-well, not as much. O'L

 

[Last]

Ahhhh... Mike, well that's the whole idea~!

 

[xsouldriverx]

in case it wasnt obvious already.. cherry!!!!
soo good looking!

 

[MRJ5]

I vote cherry. I cannot tell a lie.

 

[xsouldriverx]

cherry with ebony inlays. you CANT be disappointed....
unless youre not human and are really a robot