• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: solid mahogany vs. maple top les paul body?

If I was to build a les paul, what is the tonal difference between an all mahogany body and a mahogany body with a maple top?

Plus, would a solid mahogany body do well with a burst finish?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

2 Reply by Chris Martins (edited by Chris Martins 2010-02-11 19:40:05)

  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 94

Re: solid mahogany vs. maple top les paul body?

Maple would give you a slightly brighter tone, slightly more precise tone, but not really a huge difference as mahogany is actually a pretty balanced wood as far as tone is concerned. I have full mahogany body Les Pauls and mahogany+maple top Les Pauls and they sound pretty close : they sound like a Les Paul. I believe the tone of the Les Paul is in the mahogany and construction. The rest is more like icing on a well designed tasty cake.  sad