Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello gentlemen,
having suffered another attack of GAS,I am now
thinking of commisioning another guitar..I have
heard so much about the superb qualities of African
Blackwood...but also have heard abot the huge price
tag..so after lookig on a few websites,a company in
Soth Africa (I believe)..offers MOPANE and Pink Ivory
as good alternatives..as they are bothj very dense.
Has anyone built a guitar using Mopane,and is it
really that good..and what about pink ivory ( I suspect
that this would also be very expensive)..so I guess I
am primarilt looking at a Mopane guitar..any
experience....picture...input ..would be gratefully
received.
.

No clue about Mopane, but Pink Ivory is hardly gonna save you money compared to African Blackwood, methinks...

i think Steve over at Colonialtonewoods
have sold mopane at the woodshed some time ago and if i remember correctly he too compared it to african blackwood.
youd might wanna contact him.

Udi.

Thanks Udi..I'll try that.

Mopane? Isn't that what the masochist said to the sadist?

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Hey Raj, how'd the last one turn out?

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Unless you are buying one of the more expensive Brazilian rosewood sets, (which run over $1,000.00) the price of the wood isn't a huge percentage of the total cost for a custom built guitar.
I'd say "If you're gonna do it, go for what you really want." What's an extra hundred or so when you're spending thousands to get your "perfect guitar"?
Whatever you end up choosing, I hope you love it.
Cheers,   Dan

Very clever Howard!

I bought one of the pink ivory sets from the chaps in South Africa. The customer that was interested in it decided instead to go with BRW so I have not built with it yet.

It was quite pricey but like no other wood as far as color. Because it can take a while to stabilize, I sealed the entire sides and back set until I use it as it will be hard if not impossible to repair without it showing if it does crack.

I have built 6 african blackwood classicals (4 2 piece backs and 2 4 piece) and they sounded as good or better than any BRW I have built. I think I bought some of the sets from Steve at Colonial and some from Hibdon (both OLF sponsors).

In general with African Blackwood there are the same types of limitations as far as supply as with good BRW...really good 2 piece sets are expensive and 4 piece sets will look good but are necessary as the wood available is too narrow or full of defects to get a clean 2 piece set.

The mopane is very interesting but I have had no experience with it. It should also have the glassy sound that BRW, African Blackwood or Pink Ivorywood would have.

I've got a better one Howard..
Masochist......"Hit me"
Sadist............."No"

Seriously, I have never heard of mopane. What's the scientific name and other common names? Anyone know a place online where I can see a photo?

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

nevermind, I googled it.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Hey Bruce,
well...the guy in Bolivia who built the guitar says that
he 'overbraced' it as he wasn't too happy with the
stiffness.I eventually got the guitar in October..the
wood is very pretty,the sound...is not everyones cup
of tea.The trebles and mids are nice but a little thin
sounding on the bass.
Having said all that,I've really grown to like the tone
of the guitar,and play it regularly.