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I came across this seller, who is selling BRW back and sides sets and ships to EU. Does it look genuine to you? Just that it looks very similar to Santos Rosewood from another seller from Turkey. I'm not going to buy anything yet, just making a little research where you can get old growth BRW in EU.

Octopus is a good source at least for Caucasian spruce. As for that rosewood, it doesn't strike me as very Rio looking, although the stuff varies wildly. In any case, the safest test is the smell. It is unmistakable.

Here is my 1 million $ advice. With that money you can buy 4-5 high grade Indian sets, or 3 Madagascar sets, of superb quality grain and cut - quatersawn not slab. Buy real tonewood while it lasts. Octopus' stuff looks solid whatever it is, with he only downside being the slab cut. But in general, don't drool over some leftover rotten Rio root just because it is Rio.

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Build log

Yes, I realized something like this one would be much better buy, I just wanted to do a little research first about the prices and quality of rosewood you can get around here. Thanks a lot for the replies!

This may be a rosewood from Brazil but I don't thinks this is real Dalberg1a Nigra

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I agree - it doesn't really look like it to me either. A lot of BRW is flat sawn (as are a lot of other back & sides), I don't particularly see that as a detraction.

The smell test is a good idea, BRW has a very distinct smell. The closest thing to it seems to be Madagascar Rosewood. You could have them ship you a little piece & bring it to someone who might be familiar with it if you haven't been around too much of it.

I'd also second the advice to look at a lot of the other quality woods out there. BRW is nice, but it's not magical, nor I do think it's worth the price it is currently going for.

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Looks like Pau Ferro to me. AKA Bolivian or Santos Rosewood...

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

Based on the 'wet' pictures, I'm giving this one a +1. The dry pictures could have been kingwood, to my eye, but the wet pics are definitely neither BRW or kingwood.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I am with Peter. Looks like Pau Ferro

Thanks guys - now it's a little clearer to me.

It is within the range of appearances for D. nigra. I don't see how any positive identification can be made from the photos.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Exactly - I understand that it's possible that it is genuine BRW, just maybe not worth the money, especially since it does not have that classic dark BRW look and the way it is cut...