Amazon Rosewood

[Yrksman]

I played a Ralph Bown OM in Amazon and German Spruce on Saturday at his place. A Steinway of a guitar was my description. If I didn't have 2 already I could be very seriously tempted as it's available.

[ewh2]

Thanks for the info Bruce, I'll keep it mind when it comes around bridge choices.

Chris, good to hear Ralph's OM was a great one, it seems all of his OM's are special guitars. How did it sound in comparison to the Bown OM's you have? The video of the ARW Bown on YT is one of the factors that put me towards ARW.

[billgennaro]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

I built 4 similar single 0 guitars a year ago, 3 BRW and one Amazon. All four guitars work VERY well, but the Amazon is the outlier. The BRWs are all slightly more lively, and have the reverberant quality we have come to expect. The Amazon is more grounded sounding, and has an authority that is astounding for what we currently think of as a parlor guitar. I would be hard pressed to say which I prefer, but the difference is tangible.

This seems to mirror my experience with both woods. I understand that Amazon (and MadRose for that matter) behave similarly, as far as structure and tone, to Brazilian Rosewood. But I find that they are all different when actually made into guitars and, to me, Brazilian is more lively and reverberant (as Bruce pointed out). The difference is tangible. Still, I think they all make superior instruments. It's just a matter of taste.

[ewh2]

Originally Posted by billgennaro

This seems to mirror my experience with both woods. I understand that Amazon (and MadRose for that matter) behave similarly, as far as structure and tone, to Brazilian Rosewood. But I find that they are all different when actually made into guitars and, to me, Brazilian is more lively and reverberant (as Bruce pointed out). The difference is tangible. Still, I think they all make superior instruments. It's just a matter of taste.

Thanks for the info Bill.