Guest Murray, etc, said:

"Midchuck, what is Mahogony like as a tone wood? I have sort-of been admiring the 000-15S with the slotted headstock which is wider than usual."

You can't have one until I get mine! That's what I have earmarked to be the next guitar I buy - when I can find one! But I've conversed with enough people who feel the same way that I expect there to be a long line for them when they become available. Or do you mean you've actually seen one in a real world music store? I don't suppose you'd like to let me know where, while you're thinking about it....

I've played three or four of the new 15s and liked them all - the 00- and 000- models more than the dreads - but the guitars I now have in active use all have the wider neck (1 3/4" at the nut) and I find it enough more comfortable to play that I'm unlikely to buy any more instruments with the standard width neck unless they're such a good deal that I buy them for resale. So I was quite excited when I heard about the 000-15S.

The mahogony tops have, to my hearing, a "darker," "smokier" sound than spruce. If I were a lead picker, I wouldn't like it. But I think it sounds great for backing up vocals. It makes me think of song circles around campfires in the woods, with beer, and meat cooked on a long stick, and smoke blowing in your face no matter what side of the fire you sit on.

But then I have had an overactive fantasy life for the past 57 or 8 of my almost 59 years.

Peter.