What is "morado"?
 

I see that some of Martin's guitars have fretboards and bridge plates made of "morado." What is morado? Is this good, bad or indifferent?

(Is this "micarta" by a different trade name?)

Never mind.
 

Never mind. It's amazing what you'll find out if you use the search feature. (And this is the best search feature I've ever seen on an online forum.)

Morado is wood. Similar in appearance to East Indian Rosewood.

(Not micarta.)

No, it isn't Micarta. Morado is actually a real wood, which is similar to Rosewood. If I remember correctly, some folks refer to it as "Bolivian RW", much like Taylor uses the term "African Mahogany", which is not to be confused with Tropical S. American Mahogany. Close, but not the same.

Here's a link with some very brief info on Morado.

http://www.woodworkerssource.net/Mer...ry_Code=Morado

EDIT: Didn't notice that FlashBazbo figured it out as I was slowly crafting my response. Sorry if it seemed like I was piling on.

Pao Ferro. A south american tropical hardwood. It's starting to become very popular as a fingerboard wood. I was first exposed to it while working for Peavey in their guitar factory. We used it for fretless bass FBs. Doesn't have as much "red" as rosewood, is a bit harder than EI rosewood, but not quite as hard as ebony. Great wear charactistics regarding it's use as a fretless bass FB. Very stable, glues easily. More of milk chocolate color.....here's a photo of one of my basses using "morado"{pao ferro)....the tailpiece is cocobolo(Mexican rosewood)....
http://www.electrocoustic.com/newimage/bass5sm.jpg