Official Luthiers Forum!

Here are some photos of a nice chunk of wood that I recently purchased. Dude claims that it is BRW, but I just can't believe it. I'm just skeptical. Clearly it's some type of Dalbergia, does Granadillo get this nice of a chocolate tone though? Any feedback or even guesses are welcome. Either way I am satisfied with the purchase because it is gorgeous whatever it is. I am just skeptical.

thanks.

It looks like BRW to me

John

You got yourself a nice chunk of BRW....the good stuff

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

However, it's going to be sitting in my basement for a while until I feel comfortable enough to re-saw it.

Hey Joey, if you find some sides for that gorgeous piece let me know. I'm looking for a set of sides about that color. Nice find!

I've got a matching billet for sides as well.

Dang Joey, you hit the jack pot on this one. What are the dimensions of the 2 slabs.
Care to make us drool even more and tell us what you paid?

_________________
Tim

24" x 8" x 3"

36" x 5" x 3"

Paid....enough. Hahahaha. In this instance, I think my willingness to spend may actually pay off though.

It kind of looks like blackwood to me. Either way I'm jealous.

What does it smell like? Give it a little scrape & smell the fresh surface. If its Brazilian, you'll know right away.

What Daniel said, give it a scrape. BRW normally has a hard to miss characteristic strong smell (stronger than any other rosewood, only beaten by cypress and sometimes cedrella)

_________________
Build log

Hey, thanks for the tip. Will do.

Yeah the smell will give it away.

My guess is BRW first
ABW second.

Either way, it is nice stuff. On the resawing, you might want to find a pro to help you maximize the yeild.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

As far as the granadillo question, I bought some boards labeled granadillo that were extremely dark, along with some other boards that were more typical.

I don't know if you know what Bazooka bubblegum was....or Big League Chew (again bubblegum but in a pouch like chewing tobacco is).....but if you scrape it really good....do an area about the size of a dollar.....that's what it should smell like. It's very distinctive. All the rosewoods are distinctive in smell....but especially Brazilian.

Chris

Edit: One other thing. If the smell test just doesn't pan out wait until you cut into it. You will definitely get stronger aromas from the billet then....but you might also start to see random patches of pinks, oranges, and light brown colors. If you do it's most likely Brazilian.

Another idea is to cut off a small chunk (a corner maybe) and send it to someone you know can identify it. I'd be willing to do it and there are others on this forum that I think would do it for you. I have a pretty large stash (like others on the forum) of the stuff and can compare your sample to known Brazilian that's had it's lineage verified.

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

I may take you up on that or just show up at one of these get togethers. I wish I could be at the Blues Creek open, maybe next year.

Hard to say without seeing it in person, but it certainly could be BRW. Having said that it also could be Amazon Rosewood. It looks exactly like the dark ARW that Todd Taggart was selling a couple of years ago. I bought a couple of sets and to my ear, it sounds every bit as good as Brazilian. Either way, it looks like you have yourself quite a find. Congratulations.

_________________
Jimmy Caldwell
http://www.caldwellguitars.com

I'm certainly considering that. I'm in no hurry to cut it up at the moment. I have a bunch of Cherry and Walnut to cut up first. Also My new bandsaw is still in the mail, as are the aftermarket blades.