D-18 vs. D-28 tonewise

[Mr. Papa]

My understanding on the mahogany / rosewood tone difference is that mahogany is warmer than rosewood, but rosewood cuts and projects more. Is this right?

I understand that Doc Watson plays a mahogany-sided guitar, and I love his sound. Are there any D-18 owners out there who would like to testify--do you prefer your mahogany guitar to rosewood? Or do we all buy mahogany because it's cheaper?

[hank]

There was a time that mahogany was a "cheaper" alternative, primarily because mahogany was more available.

To your question. Mahogany is actually brighter than rosewood, assuming both have traditional sitka or red spruce tops.

I have both and enjoy both for their differences.

[Nelson F]

I heard some D-18's that really sound great.......... imo':D

[stevedenver]

you have to play each-IMHO i love the richness and big bass and top end of rsoewood, simply a matter of taste IMHO

a good mahogany d is also wonderful, being less bassy and more balanced

good ones are less common than you might tink

ive always loved the clarity and big bass of rosewood-especially for fingerpicking and slide-

[moondance360]

Mahogany is a little more flexable than rosewood and therefore tends to warm up quicker, but is actually produces a brighter sound than rosewood. Rosewood projects better and takes longer to warm up, but eventually is bassier and warmer than mahogany. I like both. Nothing projects quite like a maple backed guitar.
imho / ymmv

I currently own:
Martin HD28 - rosewood
Guild F50-BL - Maple
Larrivee D03 - Mahogany