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Which is Heavier: Swamp Ash vs. Mahogany vs. Alder?

Which is Heavier: Swamp Ash vs. Mahogany vs. Alder?

Which wood to choose for guitar body, based on weight, price and tone?

Most people, including ourselves, commonly assume that Swamp Ash is much lighter than Alder, given that water washes away heavy organic compounds. It is often mentioned that Swamp Ash is rare, the lightest, and therefore more expensive.

However, our study reveals the exact opposite – most of the time, Swamp Ash is heavier compared to others.

Na obrázku v poradí zľava Americká jelša, Bahenný jaseň a Mahagón

Pictured from left: American Alder, Swamp Ash and Mahogany

About this study

Wood is a product of nature, and each piece varies, even if from the same tree. Conducting this study with another batch of guitar bodies might yield different results. We used a total of 30 guitar bodies (and we took into account the milled channel missing on Mahogany version):

 

Sample Code 463 Alder Code 465 Mahogany Code 464 Swamp Ash
1 2240g 2350g 2441g
2 2151g 2479g 2406g
3 2176g 2394g 2508g
4 2291g 2366g 2132g
5 2317g 2356g 2269g
6 2181g 2234g 2566g
7 2074g 2355g 2607g
8 2336g 2497g 2429g
9 2170g 2242g 2501g
10 2133g 2340g 2227g
AVERAGE 2207g AVERAGE 2361g AVERAGE 2409g
Spread +/- 6% Spread +/- 6% Spread +/- 10%

When building a guitar, weight is not the only parameter to consider. Wood also plays a significant role in guitar tone, sustain, and aesthetics. To help with the selection, here is a complete list of features.

It's worth noting that a significant number of players have doubts about the impact of wood type on tone. For us, the primary consideration when selecting wood is its visual appeal as the foremost factor, followed closely by its weight.

Swamp Ash

  • If you want a gentle, sweetly resonant balanced tone, this is a good choice.
  • If your budget is small, consider Alder, as Swamp Ash is more expensive.
  • If you are looking for the lightest material, consider Alder over Swamp Ash.
  • It is a beautiful wood for translucent paint, making it a great choice for an aesthetically pleasing guitar.
  • Usually used in expensive guitars.

American Alder

  • If you want noticeable, impressive high notes with a balanced overall tone, Alder is a good choice.
  • If your budget is limited, Alder is a cost-effective option.
  • If you are looking for the lightest material, Alder is a good choice.
  • Aesthetically, it is commonly painted opaque.
  • One of the most commonly used woods in electric guitars.

Mahogany

  • A very resilient and durable wood, resistant to warping.
  • Considered heavy, but our study placed it as medium weight.
  • The price is medium-high, less than Swamp Ash.
  • Beautiful wood for translucent paint.
  • Wood of choice for Gibson-type guitars.
  • Excellent sustain and low notes.

Conclusion

If budget and weight are your key decision points, go with Alder. If aesthetics and an expensive look are essential, choose Swamp Ash. For long-term durability and a jazzy sound, Mahogany is an excellent option.

Whatever you choose, you cannot go wrong. In our opinion, all three woods are excellent high-quality choices for any electric guitar. None is inherently better; they are all great. The differences are small and highly personal.