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Old 12-31-2018, 11:16 AM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: An Exit Off the Turnpike in New Jersey
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Like all prior “Is Brazilian Rosewood worth it?” threads is see the following themes emerging:
  1. - Those who say “yes” and those that say “no”.
  2. - Advocates for alternative tonewoods being as good or better
  3. - Player’s who simply prefer mahogany
  4. - The Brazilian Rosewood available today is not as good as that of the past
Point #1 is comprised of those who hear no difference and those that do hear a difference. It is comprised those who hear a difference but the cost differential does not justify the benefit to them. So this is a mixture of differences in perception and in cost/benefit.

Point #2 is comprised of players who prefer other Dalbergias such as African Blackwood, Amazon Rosewood, Cocobolo, East Indian Rosewood, Honduran Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood or Yucatan Rosewood etc. Sonic preference by players is heterogeneous and subjective.

Point #3 is comprised of players who prefer a drier sound, faster attack with stronger mids and less sustain. They simply prefer the sound of mahogany over ANY rosewood. Again, sonic preference by players is heterogeneous and subjective.

Regarding point #4, yes there are many flatsawn, riftsawn and quartersawn stumpwood BRW sets used in newer guitars out there. That said, there still are seasoned, quartersawn, flitch matched sets of Brazilian Rosewood available in the woodlockers of established independent luthiers. The two sets below were used in 2014 (below, left) and 2017 (below, right) to make instruments for me.

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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings…
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