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I am going to be building a guitar from Zebra wood Microberlina Brazzavillensis. I bend all my sides on a pipe, no machine. It appears to me from the look and feel of the wood that I should work it like Indian Rosewood as far as thickness and soaking prior to bending. But I would like to confirm my intuition against someones experience. So anyone who has used this wood, please share your insights, thanks.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

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I have bent a few sets of Zebra with a blanket system. Had to bend at 315 degrees after a few initial tests. I found the lightest colored areas on one set liked to cup, almost as if it was punky.

Bob

I've bent two sets of zebrawood on a hot pipe with no problems. I just lightly spritz water on the wood as needed during the bend. It's really like bending walnut, but don't hold in one spot too long or you might not be able to sand out the scorching. A wet rag on the pipe helps.

I have bent one set of zebrawood on a pipe. I am not usually a soaker, but a spritzer. It needs to stay wet and be bent at high temperature. It doesn't have the oil content that EIR does, so keep it moist. Be especially careful on the waist. The shape I bent had a pretty tight waist and really wanted to crack. Other than that, take you time. Not the worst wood I've ever bent on a pipe. That would be padauk.

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