Official Luthiers Forum!

I found a piece of Bolivian Rosewood 4/4 x 12 x 98 at a local wood source. Expensive? Yes. The problem I see is that in the great color and figure this wood has there are just a few tiny worm holes. Has anyone ever dealt with this type of thing? Can it be filled? would it cause cracking in bending sides? I have not bought this wood. It's been cut for over 20 years. Very nice piece except for the worm holes.

I look forward to your experience and thoughts on this.

Thanks a bunch!

Gerould: Worm holes if not too many or too big should not be a problem. You may not know but Bolivian Rosewood is not a true rosewood but is a wood known as Morado. Still a wood very suitable for guitars. Small worm holes can be filled with sawdust and hit with CA glue and sand immediately.They should not cause cracking,small round holes form a much smaller stress raiser compared to small cracks. Good luck with your project.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

What Tom said!
That's an old piece for sure !
Pau Ferro-aka Iron wood !
I have made many guitars with it !
It bends easy & has no pores to fill !
It is dense and works well for B & Sides!

Mike

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Mike Collins

sounds good. It's a really nice board and I would like to get it but pricey. $300 but I think I would get allot out of it.
Thanks for the help!!

Isn't this one of the wood species that several members have had severe allergic reactions to?

All the rosewoods have been reported as allergens, but I think PauFerro is reported quite a lot- whether this is because it is commonly used, I don't know. There is also a different (African) wood which is also referred to by the PauFerro name, according to one of my local lumber suppliers, adding to the confusion.
Of course, not many of us have a chance to see if we are allergic to Brazilian RW!

Cheers
John

That's $37.50/bf by my calculating. You should definitely check around if you have other sources. Unless it's an excellent board (ie quartered?), that's fairly expensive. You might be able to negotiate with the seller.

http://www.westwindhardwood.com/price_hardwoods_p-z.php#pau_ferro
http://www.amwoodinc.com/pricelist.aspx?x=WUTitHcQkRi5NSUm9C4JyQ%3d%3d

Cheers
John

Thanks John, Maybe thats why this board is so old...lol I have found other places online to buy from and they are much better priced.