PRS Korina vs Mahogany

[bhuard75]

Anybody have any experience with a Korina PRS CU24/22/McCarty? Much difference in the mids compared to mahogany? How much fuller is mahogany in the low end? Any pickup swaps to note with the korina?

Thanks in advance

 

[Exo-metal]

Since nobody has replied, I will. I don't have a million words about species and anything remotely scientific...but what I will say is after many years experience I know I prefer mahogany over almost every kind of wood except korina. Korina is african mahogany and it has a hollow tone and a very whole sounding tone that excels in the mids that is someway very impressive to me. Either way between these two you cannot go wrong. I also know this does not address your question directly but I wanted to comment since these two are my favorite tone woods.

 

[bhuard75]

Thanks EXO. Ive always preferred mahogany guitars myself. Just never been able to come across a guitar made of korina to check out. Contemplating another PRS and considering a McCarty made out of kornia.

 

[Beandust]

McCartys are definitely one if not my favorite model. Thickness of the body being thicker than the cu24 and cu22. I've had the pleasure of owning 3 cu24s and 2 McCartys. The latest cu24 sold a month ago had a Korina neck/ebony board so I decided to post a reply. Sorry it wasn't a full bodied korina. I did like the tone of the guitar without question. Probably a little more high mids. Switching from that to a SC 20th anny or the McCarty rosewood neck I still own was very cool. Definitely a noticeable guitar change , not quite like a les Paul to a strat but damn close. With the 5 way blade on the cu24 I definitely could have gotten very close to the strat sounds but I prefer the thicker tones for what I was playing. Some of not all of the korina prs builds hold a premium over the mahogany. Not sure I am convinced after my measly experience with the Korina neck. As you know its which tones your going for, and then its pick ups,guitar, amp etc which all then contribute. Hard to beat mahogany and maple prs. I dig the rosewood neck mahogany body more than anything I've found yet on the prs build. just my preference,as mentioned YMMV. Hope this is somewhat helpful

 

[bhuard75]

Beandust, That was interesting to find out the McCarty has a thicker body. As Ive been wanting a guitar closer to full thickness vs a petite profile in my next purchase. My goto for years now with woods have been mahogany bodies and rosewood necks (mainly custom builds). I may not veture outside of that just yet finding out about the McCarty body thickness. Thanks

 

[PRS]

I had both a McCarty Korina and A McCarty IRW, they sound completely different but great in other ways.

The Mahogany / Maple Mcarty can get dark with the IRW neck, lower mids and great with high gain.
The Korina was lacking mids, but was the best sounding clean and lower gain PRS I ever played. If you're a high gain player, stick with the reg McCarty, I did and I don't regret it.

 

[Rdodson]

Korina (White Limba) to be combines the best parts of mahogany and swamp ash. I love it. I had a 2008 Gibson Historic Explorer (Big $$) and it sounded so good. I made a little on it and got rid of it but really wish I hadn't.

 

[pfapin05]

Korina is such a nice tonewood!