African Mahogany
Khaya anthotheca • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain structure typically producing a ribbon figure when quarter-sawn; texture is medium to coarse with a naturally lustrous appearance. In this flat-sawn guitar body, it appears mostly straight with slight waving.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a pale pink to a deeper reddish brown. It tends to darken with age and exposure to light. The sapwood is typically a creamy white or yellowish. High natural luster and chatoyance.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to rot and fungal attack, though it is susceptible to insect damage compared to Genuine Mahogany.
Common Uses
Electric guitar bodies, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, veneer, and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
West, Central, and East Africa (specifically regions like Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern era; likely harvested within the last 20 to 30 years based on the body style and typical industrial kiln-drying indicators.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (Khaya species have seen population declines); not currently CITES listed, but often FSC certified.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the interlocked grain can cause fuzzy surfaces or tearout during planing. Gluing and finishing are excellent.
Notable Features
Lighter in weight than many other tropical hardwoods which makes it popular for guitars; lacks the characteristic scent of Spanish Cedar or true Mahogany; can be an irritant to skin or eyes (respiratory) during sanding.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to grain filler followed by nitrocellulose lacquer, polyurethane, or oil finishes (like Tru-Oil) common in luthiery to pop the chatoyance.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the pinkish hue, diffuse-porous grain structure, and its common application for solid-body guitar construction are classic indicators of Khaya.