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Hello, has anyone used Catalox on a steel string? Can you tell me anything about this wood? How it works, bends? Any findings on tone?

I should mention, I've never heard of this wood before.

Thanks in advance
Glen

I have a couple of sets, one straight grained, and the other is a wild smoky–figured set. I have not built with it before, but both the sets have a very bel-like ring, akin to Brazilian or African Blackwood. I can't wait to build with it.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

The katalox I purchased was from a local woodcraft and savage woods in tx . Mine has a mottled yellow/purple look vy hard , allegedly from mexico .Cut some up for Uke FB , and B/S sets . Yes it is vy dense planes easily. and should make a nice instrument . Luv the mottled figure on the above set.

I was hoping you had tried that Katalox set, Ken.
Katalox is called mexican royal ebony by some and the logs often are heavy in sapwood, like some "real" ebonies.
Its kinda hard to saw, I think I am only really able to resaw it successfully with carbide.
It sounds to me like a good honduran rosewood set, or some of the better ringing ziricote.

Hey Mike! I'm dying to build with this beautiful set you provided me! Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending, I'm mostly building with sets my customers select. I have no doubt someone will pick it up soon! If not, I'll use it anyway!


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

_________________
Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com