Identifying wood?

yeah...i went back and re-read your OP. if it is ipe its not what you want for what you are doing. hard to imagine youre getting genuine mahog for less than $2 /bf though.

i like the "furniture by owner " section of craigs list...old book casses, headboards, tables and mid-century teak furniture can be screaming deals for good wood. just dont let them know youre planning to wreck their family heirloom though...often that kills the deal.

 

Weigh it . . .

 

You can get just about any shade you want. The black red inventory seems to complete lighter. The Meranti is one of the forest that were and are generally promoted as Mahogany.
Floor Scale