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Recognize this wood type ???
- Thread starter Spino
- Start date
adam.beauchene
Commercial User
Musiclogic
Commercial User
- Aug 6, 2005
- 6,505
- 75
- 60
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
The OPs pictures are not very good. Also would be nice to get some more info out of him, but oh well.
I still think sapele is the best guess. I want to say a flat cut surface with lots of runout might exhibit similar structure to the OP's photos, but hard to tell as they are so out of focus. Here's a picture from hobbit house that is closer.
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I still think sapele is the best guess. I want to say a flat cut surface with lots of runout might exhibit similar structure to the OP's photos, but hard to tell as they are so out of focus. Here's a picture from hobbit house that is closer.
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Yeah ! Scuse the shots ,I'll get some better pics with side and endgrain views next week .
The boards have the density of Mahogany and are dark chocolaty in color that's why I'm thinking Wenge although Sapele is also a strong contender ,out of all that I've checked
@Musiclogic... out of interest what makes you say it's definitely not Wenge
@ FBB Custom I'd be glad to give any other information that you need
So far,...I'm involved in a Project at the mo .and one of the participants brought 10 or 12 planks of wood saying he's had it in his cellar for 30 years and he" thought " it was African Mahogany . A plank has been planed and cut up and we're all debating what it is . On comparing grain on a few boards , there's a lot of variation.If it's Wenge I'd like to buy a board off him for Fbds as it's old and well dried . I'll check it again next week till then Thanks for the replies .
The boards have the density of Mahogany and are dark chocolaty in color that's why I'm thinking Wenge although Sapele is also a strong contender ,out of all that I've checked
@Musiclogic... out of interest what makes you say it's definitely not Wenge
@ FBB Custom I'd be glad to give any other information that you need
So far,...I'm involved in a Project at the mo .and one of the participants brought 10 or 12 planks of wood saying he's had it in his cellar for 30 years and he" thought " it was African Mahogany . A plank has been planed and cut up and we're all debating what it is . On comparing grain on a few boards , there's a lot of variation.If it's Wenge I'd like to buy a board off him for Fbds as it's old and well dried . I'll check it again next week till then Thanks for the replies .
Musiclogic
Commercial User
- Aug 6, 2005
- 6,505
- 75
- 60
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
Yes Allex, much harder and denser(there is a difference between hardness and density)
the 3 boards are wenge and walnut....the darker pieces are wenge....and that ain't it
the 3 boards are wenge and walnut....the darker pieces are wenge....and that ain't it
mikeyswood
Inactive
The color and grain structure eliminate Wenge. The blueish hue in the late wood allow me to say with 100% confidence that it's in the family of Mahogany.
Musiclogic
Commercial User
- Aug 6, 2005
- 6,505
- 75
- 60
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
That's a pretty safe bet Mike, as the Meliaceae family of trees spans the world, and covers hundreds if not thousands of species of trees.....LOL
I will say the odds are with you on that Mike.
I will say the odds are with you on that Mike.
I concur that it's not wenge. Can you mark the board with your fingernail? If we could smell it I bet we'd be able to nail it.
If it's in the density neighborhood with mahogany, then don't plan on using it for fingerboards. But it might make a fine body wood. There are hundreds of species that look vaguely like mahogany/sapele. If you want to be 100% certain, I think you can get the USDA to identify it. I'm not sure how you do it but I have read on Hobbit House that he has done it. If you do go down that road, I'm sure many here would be interested in the details.
If it's in the density neighborhood with mahogany, then don't plan on using it for fingerboards. But it might make a fine body wood. There are hundreds of species that look vaguely like mahogany/sapele. If you want to be 100% certain, I think you can get the USDA to identify it. I'm not sure how you do it but I have read on Hobbit House that he has done it. If you do go down that road, I'm sure many here would be interested in the details.
mikeyswood
Inactive
Mystery Wood Part 2
Just found this while looking for something else .I have'nt got a clue what sort of wood this is but I have my uneducated suspicions .So waddya reckon guys ?
Goncalo Alves.
Wow 2 positives ! Thanks !What about usage in Basses ,body wood ? Tops ? Too heavy for bodies i Think !I like the dark irregular patterns and I guess it takes a good shine cuz it'S got lustre ? ,and that rippling will probably pop out ,it's got hairline cracks tho but I'd fill those with stone/rock powder ,saw that here I think ? hmmm
I've got one more but that'll be next week .Innit ?
I've got one more but that'll be next week .Innit ?
I have used solid goncalo for a small 4 string body and it was manageable. Ihave also used it for tops and backs. Some people use it for fingerboards (I have not) and I have used Tigerwood as a neck laminate. Tigerwood is a close relative of goncalo. It is versatile, but heavy, and oily. Take precautions when gluing.
It does have a nice luster, sometimes it has curl or pomelle figure, sometimes feather around a crotch. Enjoy!
