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I'm looking at purchasing either Madagascan rosewood or Kingwood for a future build but can't decide.... What would you choose and why?

Bill S.

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Dream to be a luthier

Depends on your aesthetic and density preferences, I suppose. And to some extent, your views on the current political/environmental situation in Madagascar.

I'd go with Madagascar rosewood. Specifically, dalbergia baronii. I haven't actually worked with kingwood (dalbergia cearensis), but I don't like the way it looks as much as a good baronii set. Grain lines too wide and contrasting, usually. I do like the purple tint it has sometimes though. There's another rosewood (dalbergia congestiflora) usually referred to as camatillo, which is even more purple, and with nicer looking grain. I've been on the lookout for a back/side set for a long time, so good luck finding that. Cearensis will probably be tough to find in back/side size as well, although if you can resaw, boards to cut 3 and 4 piece backs from are more likely to come along.

In terms of physical properties, Madagascar tends to be lighter weight more like Brazilian/Indian, and kingwood and camatillo are more on the heavy side like cocobolo. Camatillo (and according to wood database, kingwood too) also smells much like cocobolo, and seems to be similarly oily since it kept clogging my jeweler's saw blade when cutting an inlay a while back. No such trouble with Madagascar.

There are more great rosewoods too, though. Probably my favorite tone-wise is Honduran/D.stevensonii, followed closely by the classic Brazilian/D.nigra. Then there's African blackwood/D.melanoxylon, which is the heaviest. Not as lively tap tone as many of the others, but rings long and deep. Interesting sound, looking forward to building one with it. There's another from Madagascar called bois de rose/D.maritima, which is a deep dark burgundy, and heavier than other Madagascan rosewoods... more rare too.

Thanks for the information dennisK, the species I'm looking at is dalbergia greveana from a supplier in the UK which is also known as dalbergia baronii from various data bases.

Todd I'm not sure about paperwork but the supplier, Surrey Tonewoods, seems to be a reputable business and is freely advertising it on Ebay. However, you've given me food for thought

Thanks guys,
Bill

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Dream to be a luthier

Kingwood makes a beautiful guitar.
There are less oils & resins to deal with.
No clogged sand paper!
I've made 3 Kingwood guitars.
It's just a great looking wood that's easy to
work with.
Both these species will try your patience if your thinning them
by hand.
Are they priced the same from your supplier?
Mike

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Mike Collins

The Kingwood is about $105, and the Madagascan rosewood around $130 per set.

Bill

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Dream to be a luthier

Ummm Bill that s about a difference of 12 pints....so whats the deal?

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Bill

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Dream to be a luthier