Yet another - pick your braz

[ChuckS]

set 1 looks fantastic, easy choice for me.

[JoeCharter]

I'd pick #1 for a "traditional" build and #2 for a more "modern" build.

In fact, #1 looks a bit like the set I selected for my upcoming Circa -- and #2 reminds me of the set on my soon to be ready Olson.

[Cocobolo Kid]

I like set #2.

[dekutree64]

#1 is definitely the highest grade of the bunch. Should put up with a lot more humidity variation than #3, especially if braced in extra low humidity.

#2 will probably be pretty stable too, but not my personal taste in appearance.

#3 looks the coolest, but will probably crack, unless you baby it.

If I were building a guitar for myself, and I could get #3 for cheap, I'd use it and let it have its cracks. But #1 is the obvious best choice

[Mycroft]

Set one in a hot minute. The others might make a nice coffee table.

TW

[johnny196775]

I like the first one better. A lot better.

[martinlcb]

Set 1 is really nice.

[cpabolting]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

I'd pick #1 for a "traditional" build and #2 for a more "modern" build.

Pretty much. Set 2 is far more interesting and looks to be nicely quartersawn... so I would hands down pick number 2

[Haans]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Set one in a hot minute. The others might make a nice coffee table.

TW

Well put. #1 is the only way to go as the grain will be the straightest along the glue joint. The others will be partial end grain and a poorer glue joint. #3 is a waste of time...

[Don Musser]

Set #1 looks very much like another Brazilian Dalbergia - D. Spruceana.
Before paying Brazilian prices for it - you might do a little research on D. Spruceana vs D. Nigra.

[Brock Poling]

I thought that too, but I am pretty sure I recognize that floor, and if so I know who ultimately supplied this set. I've done business with him for years. I can't imagine he would pass one species off for another.

[kydave]

Originally Posted by jjarrell

I do like these threads, so here are a few more.

Set 1 (not as red as appears, color more like set2)


Set 2


Set 3


Comments appreciated.

Thanks.
jeff

MAN! I'd LOVE set # 1 if it was exactly as it appears!!

Reminds me of my '71 (which - yes - is NOT Braz)...

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by Don Musser

Set #1 looks very much like another Brazilian Dalbergia - D. Spruceana.
Before paying Brazilian prices for it - you might do a little research on D. Spruceana vs D. Nigra.

Beyond trust in one's supplier/builder, objective classification seems to be best done by botanists with competent analytical laboratories.

A 2006 paper sees contrasts between the two species in density (see if it sinks of floats!) and fluorescence...
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrp/fpl_rp632.pdf

But a 2010 paper proposes a more complex discrimination situation...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2794071/

[SongwriterFan]

Set 1 looks just awful, but I'd be glad to take it off your hands for say $100.

[maurerfan]

No contest .... set #1. Presumptuous maybe, but I did a little color adjustment to moderate the red hues. This might be a bit more accurate: