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Hi Folks!

For your viewing pleasure, I have just published a profile on Australian Gidgee as part of my ongoing tonewood database. As always, improvements, corrections and additional information/ your own experiences are much appreciated- I'll update the profile citing you and linking back to you! This may be a little contentious and but no means complete.

I can't link pics directly to here so do pop by to

http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2008/11/15/gidgee-tonewood-database/

for the full Visual presentation. As always, I present the text portion of the interview for your consideration- although I do highly recommend popping by to see the pics!

Warmest regards,
Terence
[/url]www.guitarbench.com[url]


Acacia cambagei| Tonewood Profile | ”Gidgee”

Tonewoods Database

All pictures - Click to enlarge!
Please email with any corrections/ additional info
We aim to keep each profile as complete as possible & your help is appreciated!

Quick Facts
Scientific name: Acacia cambagei
Trade names: Stinking Gidgee
Janka: 1575
Uses: Fingerboards, drop tops, veneer
RIYL: Ebony, Acacia
Bling factor: Grain variation common.
Availability: Rare
CITES status: Not listed. No restrictions

Note: (RIYL) Recommended If You Like

Natural History
Gidgee describes a wide range of Acacia species but the most common is Acacia cambagei. It is also known as Stinking gidgee and is names after R.H. Cambage, a geologist with knowledgable in Australian plants.

It ranges from Queensland to New South Wales. In it’s native semi-arid and arid environment it can obtain heights of 12 metres and a trunk diameter of 30cm.

Status
This is a relatively uncommon tree in it’s native range but is not considered under threat.

Physical properties
This timber is chocolate coloured with a fine, even grain. It occurs in flammed varieties, occasionally called Ringed Gidgee. The leaves and bark of this tree produce a characteristic odour, hence the name “stinking gidgee”. is a dark chocolate brown to black, occasionally with streaks of purple.

Zebrawood has a Janka rating of 19kN and a Specific Gravity around 0.5.

As a tonewood…
The Gidgee I have seen available have been limited to decorative or fingerboard sizes. In use, it is extremely fine grained and durable. A very fine alternative to ebony.

Jeremy Fullerton says: ” ‘it’s place in instrument making is limited to solid body caps, decorative work… Possibly it’s best use however is for fingerboards. This species is an attractive goldish dark brown to very dark brown…”

Availability
Supplies are limited but steady at the time of writing.


Tonewoods Database

Links:
Jeremy Fullerton guitars: http://www.jfcustom.com.au/menu.htm
Jack Spira guitars: http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/

References:
Wikipedia
luthiers forum


©2008 Terence Tan.



warmest regards,
Terence
www.guitarbench.com