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I am sure every luthier dreamed about a wood that was so easy to bend with zero spring back. I think you were sure this wood was present only in one's dream.
Well, that wood actually does exist. I just used it. It is imbuya. It basically wants to bend by itself. As soon as I removed it from the bender it stayed that way with no spring back. I only got similar results when I used laminated sides.
I cannot tell about sound. But if it sounds nice, well I wonder why it is not more commonly used in guitar building.
It was such a revelation I wanted to share.

Mine was air dried Green Ash. Wet it, keep it damp for one hour, bend it cold with hand pressure only, leave to dry, done.

It even took very tight bend cutaways!

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
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I can't say I've tried them all but bending is usually the most fun part of the project for me.
Here's' my list of best woods
Easy benders: Low to medium figure Maple, Koa, Rosewood, Walnut (smells great too)
Fussy benders: Mahogany (springback) and very curly Maple (snap)

I find cocobolo and Panama rosewood to be extremely easy to bend.

I've only bent Walnut and Mahogany so far. Walnut comes close to being dream easy, Mahogany took lots more heat, 350 - 375 then cooked at 320 for 20 minutes or so to avoid spring back. Still got some spring back. Never tried Imbuya.

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Thank You and Best To All

I agree Enrico!
The first time I used it I was amazed.
Smells great also!.

Also called Brazilian Walnut ; but I'm not sure why.

That first one belongs to Steve Miller-yes the famous one.
"Fly Like An Eagle"

I have many highly figured sets of it.

Mike

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Mike Collins

Oak, beech and ash are the easiest-bending domestic woods.

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John