MIMF

I've been asked to build a a semi-hollow archtop bass similar to the Guild Starfire. I'm trying to decide whether I should go with mahogany or maple for the top, back, sides, and center block. My customer is interested in the "woofy" sound from the big Gibson pickups of the '60s.

In my opinion a woofy sound is more likely produced by mahogany. Maple is more metallic and hissy.

FWIW, a 1966-ish Gibson EB-2 I repaired was maple. Very thunky sound with round-wound strings through an old Ampeg B-15N.

Maple and mahogany can be quite similar in properties. The first archtop I made had mahogany B&S, and so far as I know it's still going strong after 30+ years. The way you make it has far more bearing on the sound you get than the material, so long as that's 'reasonable'.

Thanks guys for the responses. I've decided on quilted big leaf maple. This is a Casino I made recently using quilted maple.

I would recommend considering using spruce for the top and whatever hardwood for the B&S. I think the spruce would add more fullness to the tone than hardwood. It certainly works for acoustic archtop guitars. Here is a seven string that I helped build. It has curly hard maple back and sides.