Matthew Smith Congas: Walnut or Mahogany?

[Mr.Rumba]

So, a question to all of our knowledgable friends and experts here, what is the preferred wood for matthew smith drums Mahogany or Walnut?
Which way would you go and why? Anyone have these drums and want to comment? Thanks for your help!

[pcastag]

I've owned a set of oak, one african mahogany and one honduran mahogany. Honduran mahogany without a doubt, best sound of all the three woods I played made by Matt Smith.

[Craig]

I asked Matt that same question back in February 2008. In an email he replied: "It's not so cut and dry. Given the fact that no two pieces of wood, cut from the same tree, or even the very same board, sound exactly alike it's impossible to say what is best. . . . To me the quartered oak and mahogany are your best bet for congas and both will sound better as they age. I'm kind of splitting hairs, walnut sounds great and it is possible for a random walnut drum to sound better than everything else, but that is not the norm in my experience."

I chose black walnut, and I am very pleased with the sound of the drums.

Craig

[Congarranza]

And the question has been asked! Instant satisfaction vs eternal satisfaction...
In the context of a hand made master artisan drum: it's a win-win situation!

[Mr.Rumba]

Thanks for all of the answers. Much appreciated. Very insightful! I possibly have a chance to get some used M.S. walnut so that is why I asked. I have had conga drums made from mahogany before, (Gon Bops) and djembes as well but never anything from walnut.

[pcastag]

the gon bops mahogany (luan) is NOT the same as the afican or honduran mohogany that Matt uses, his woods are much more dense. Any way you go you really can't miss with a Matt Smith drum.

[Mr.Rumba]

Here they are in Walnut!

[s'chopp]

Tasty.. And the sound

[Mr.Rumba]

They really do sound amazing. I am surprised how great they sound. I read about it but did not believe it 100% I have a conga and tumba and I am waiting for the possible purchase of the quinto. Very warm with very interesting over tones. Not ring but more of an "extra" sound quality that is hard to describe. I am surprised by how light they are as well. I thought they would be much heavier. I am used to Skin On Skins which seem like a similar build and build quality but are much heavier,made in 1985 and oak wood..
I thought they would be more similar to the SOS but they are very different. I know the skins on the drums have a lot to do with it as well. I also have Spirit In The Wood solid shell conga drums (also very tonal but ""crisper" in the high end), old classic LP wood congas (great tone and very sharp slap on the quinto, (great for bands) and LP shorty fiberglass congas I got in the 70's. Both of the LP's are much brighter. I am vey happy with them all!