Dear PoppaGator,

Mahogany is less expensive than rosewood which is why it tends to be on the "lower" models of most manufacturers. That is not to say at all that it is inferior. The sound is generally a bit different to a similar guitar utilizing rosewood but, for some people or styles of playing, it might actually be considered preferable. This is one reason I would never buy an instrument "unseen". I chose the ovankol and Sitka guitar mentioned above exactly because of its sound and by virtue of its custom wide neck.

Brazilian rosewood (now protected) is marginally harder than Indian rosewood but the latter is still somewhat denser and harder than mahogany. Even with "mahogany" there are many different species available under that general name. See my post on the subject of "mahoganies" from several years ago.

Peace

moo