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Historic LP with Brazilian Rosewood?

Mats A

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
799
I wonder if these Reissues more true to the originals with a Brazilian Rosewood board also have the right Honduran Mahogany or do the have the same Mahogany as the other Reissues? Just curious since are a lot more expensive.
 

sws1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
I wonder if these Reissues more true to the originals with a Brazilian Rosewood board also have the right Honduran Mahogany or do the have the same Mahogany as the other Reissues? Just curious since are a lot more expensive.

Same mahogany.

Brazilian is NOT cheap. Try buying a Martin with Brazilian RW.
 

Mats A

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
799
I know it’s not cheap. But if it’sthe same Mahogany it’s still not spot on like a 50’s LP even if it’s closer. Not that i think it matters that much tonewise. When did they stop using Honduran Mahogany?
 

jpage1974

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2018
Messages
14
I know it’s not cheap. But if it’sthe same Mahogany it’s still not spot on like a 50’s LP even if it’s closer. Not that i think it matters that much tonewise. When did they stop using Honduran Mahogany?

Indian Rosewood is an entirely different species as compared to Brazilian Rosewood. The Fijian Mahogany used in Historic Les Pauls is the exact same species grown in a slightly different climate. I say "slightly" because the Honduran Mahogany was harvested out of various climates; forest, rainforest, plains, etc. The Fijian is grown in more rainforest like climate but so was much of the original Honduran Mahogany. The woods are essentially identical on a BRW Les Paul Historic now.
 

JPP-1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
1,336
Indian Rosewood is an entirely different species as compared to Brazilian Rosewood. The Fijian Mahogany used in Historic Les Pauls is the exact same species grown in a slightly different climate. I say "slightly" because the Honduran Mahogany was harvested out of various climates; forest, rainforest, plains, etc. The Fijian is grown in more rainforest like climate but so was much of the original Honduran Mahogany. The woods are essentially identical on a BRW Les Paul Historic now.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Swietenia macrophylla also known as big leaf or Honduran mahogany was introduced to Fiji around the time of World War II since Fiji had a climate conducive to growing this Mahogany. There were probably other geopolitical reasons for choosing the island as well since mahogany was a highly valued resource.

Swietenia macrophylla, even as early as the 1940s was suffering from over harvesting which is why African mahogany or Khaya became increasingly used during that time to satisfy the demand for mahogany.

Swietenia macrophylla, Dalbergia nigra, Acer saccahrum, are the trinity of woods used in vintage Bursts and Gibson is once again using those trinity of woods for their limited edition Brazilian Les Pauls. The correct wood species, correct or nearly correct hardware and construction methods, I have to hand it to Gibson and many of the talented staff past and present for ushering in another Golden Age for Gibson lovers.
 
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