Difference in sound between Majesty basswood and mahogany.
- Thread starter zzomer
- Start date
Roxy
Well-known member
I believe the only wood difference is in the wings. So, the Artisan maybe more of a cosmetic upgrade, but I'm not sure. I have the Precious Metal Copper Fire finish. Beautiful!
PeteDuBaldo
Well-known member
We have both a Copper Fire Majesty and Azzurro Artisan Majesty here so I just went and played both.
The biggest difference I noticed (and it wasn't a huge difference), was that the Artisan had a slightly more full/round, and deeper tone. The Copper Fire had a little more sizzle on the top end. Sustain on both models was virtually identical.
The biggest difference I noticed (and it wasn't a huge difference), was that the Artisan had a slightly more full/round, and deeper tone. The Copper Fire had a little more sizzle on the top end. Sustain on both models was virtually identical.
Roxy
Well-known member
Thanks Pete, good to know.
MJM
Well-known member
I absolutely LOVE my viola artisan majesty I got from Pete. Such an easy playing sweet sounding guitar.
Thanks Pete, PM sent.
agt
Well-known member
I remember seeing this thread, having a standard Majesty, and being curious as well. But at that time my Majesty Artisan had not yet been delivered.
It finally arrived and here are my observations ...
Overall, they sound similar and they both sound wonderful. The differences I describe below are relative to each other. These differences are subtle, but noticeable to me.
Majesty standard (Goldmine, basswood sides): tone is fuller, warmer, rounder, "softer". These terms are used relative to the Artisan, as it has plenty of snap and attack and articulation on the top end, presumably in part due to the maple top and ebony fretboard. With gain, the harmonics that jump out are throaty and vocal-like and seem to be more focused in the midrange. Sounds great clean or distorted, but overall a bigger, fatter, warmer, sound. I am finding that I dial in the treble on my amp (Deluxe Reverb) a bit higher (9 or 10) with this one for optimal tone.
Majesty Artisan (Marrone, mahogany sides): tone is brighter, chimier, "harder", more solid. Again, these descriptions are relative to the standard Majesty. This one sounds fantastic clean, especially the neck humbucker and the middle (both humbuckers) position with a chimey warm PAF-like tone perfect for jazz with the volume rolled back. Perhaps the most perfect clean neck humbucker tone I have ever heard. With gain, the harmonics that jump out are snarlier and have more bite and seem to be more focused in the upper midrange. I am finding that I dial in the treble on my amp (Deluxe Reverb) a bit lower (6 or 7) with this one for optimal tone.
These are my observations from just two individual guitars. These observations might have more to do with the specific pieces of wood that were used in their construction (and their interactions with the specific amps and other gear I have) and may not apply more generally.
Both feel and play identically, which is of course, fantastic. The Artisan is a bit heavier, but still quite light.
It finally arrived and here are my observations ...
Overall, they sound similar and they both sound wonderful. The differences I describe below are relative to each other. These differences are subtle, but noticeable to me.
Majesty standard (Goldmine, basswood sides): tone is fuller, warmer, rounder, "softer". These terms are used relative to the Artisan, as it has plenty of snap and attack and articulation on the top end, presumably in part due to the maple top and ebony fretboard. With gain, the harmonics that jump out are throaty and vocal-like and seem to be more focused in the midrange. Sounds great clean or distorted, but overall a bigger, fatter, warmer, sound. I am finding that I dial in the treble on my amp (Deluxe Reverb) a bit higher (9 or 10) with this one for optimal tone.
Majesty Artisan (Marrone, mahogany sides): tone is brighter, chimier, "harder", more solid. Again, these descriptions are relative to the standard Majesty. This one sounds fantastic clean, especially the neck humbucker and the middle (both humbuckers) position with a chimey warm PAF-like tone perfect for jazz with the volume rolled back. Perhaps the most perfect clean neck humbucker tone I have ever heard. With gain, the harmonics that jump out are snarlier and have more bite and seem to be more focused in the upper midrange. I am finding that I dial in the treble on my amp (Deluxe Reverb) a bit lower (6 or 7) with this one for optimal tone.
These are my observations from just two individual guitars. These observations might have more to do with the specific pieces of wood that were used in their construction (and their interactions with the specific amps and other gear I have) and may not apply more generally.
Both feel and play identically, which is of course, fantastic. The Artisan is a bit heavier, but still quite light.
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