Mahogany (likely African or Philippine)
Khaya spp. (African) or Shorea spp. (Philippine) • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture; visible open pores characteristic of tropical hardwoods, common in guitar body routing.
Color Description
Heartwood is a pale pinkish-brown to a darker reddish-brown. It shows a medium luster and typically darkens with age and exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
830 to 1,070 lbf (Soft to Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; generally resistant to rot but vulnerable to insect attack if untreated.
Common Uses
Electric guitar bodies, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and boat building.
Geographic Origin
West Africa (Khaya) or Southeast Asia (Shorea/Lauan).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $12.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
5 to 15 years; the wood shows fresh routing and modern pen markings (ST-402 MA CA) indicating recent manufacture.
Sustainability Status
Khaya senegalensis is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; FSC certified sources are generally available.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Excellent acoustic resonance (warm tones), light to medium weight, and distinct large pores that usually require grain filler before finishing.
Finish Recommendations
Grain filler is highly recommended, followed by nitrocellulose lacquer or polyurethane to highlight the depth of the reddish tint.
Identification Confidence
Medium; the visible pore structure and reddish-brown hue in a guitar neck pocket/tremolo cavity are hallmark traits of species often sold as Mahogany for instrument production.