Thoughts on this Brazilian Rosewood?

[redir]

I would categorize those in the primo class. Looks a lot like some of the stuff I have had the privilege of working with lately.

[Erithon]

My understanding is that--when not naturally occurring--such color variegation is typical of reclaimed BRW. It is a result of different parts of the wood oxidizing at different rates (e.g. the outside of an old beam was exposed to oxygen in a way the interior of that beam wasn't). But I'm ready to be corrected

[Jamiejoon]

Originally Posted by justonwo

I'm surprised it sounds so good after you left it in water! What kind of water did you use? Distilled or mineral? How long did you soak? Can your process be monetized somehow? This is a whole new untapped branch of internet lore!

The guitar was actually in a bog for 5,000 years. Aged tone.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Erithon

My understanding is that--when not naturally occurring--such color variegation is typical of reclaimed BRW. It is a result of different parts of the wood oxidizing at different rates (e.g. the outside of an old beam was exposed to oxygen in a way the interior of that beam wasn't). But I'm ready to be corrected

That is my understanding as well.

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by Burton LeGeyt

I was told years ago (by someone who likely would know) that the black and orange coloring came from the wood sitting in water at some point.

I was told similar info by a supplier most of us used several years ago whose family supplied us BRW for decades. He sold sets that he called “watermelon stripe” with lots of green coloration and he said it was from the logs being submerged for years and then salvaged.

[Jamiejoon]

I have seen some of that BRW with the green coloration. I was told by the luthier who showed it to me that the green is from human-made chemicals in the water - something with copper, I suppose. The wood was beautiful but looked somewhat un-natural to me. As for my guitar, John Kinnaird (who made it) said the BRW came from a warehouse beam in a city in Brazil where it had been for many decades. He did not say anything about water, but maybe he will chime in here.

[gitarro]

This colour pattern of very dark streaks and orange red nd even some green colours seem to often arise in Brazilian rosewood sets that were harvested from beams of old houses. I suspect this is due to the old growth nature of these woods. I recall reading that they were described in Brazil as Imperial quality.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I have been told, but do not "Know", that there are 5 classifications for BRW in Brazil, traditionally. Essentially, the wood grows in 5 different ecological environments, so the story goes, and takes on a consistent general appearance depending on which locale it hails. There is a financial incentive depending on the category. The nearly black wood is called "Imperial", and is said to be the most expensive.

I have made around 50 instruments from BRW, generally of high quality, and have not noticed any tonal deficit in any of it. My take of the five classifications is that it is marketing.

Here is a classical I made from imperial, currently owned by Imagine Dragon's guitarist, Wayne Sermon:

[247hoopsfan]

The Brazilian on my 1998 Larrivee has quite a bit of variation in green, black brown and red. I have another one that is mostly red orange and black.
They sound spectacular.

[gitarro]

My isaac jang OM was also made from beam brazilian rosewood and it also is of the Imperial type.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...ac+jang&page=5

[Parlorman]

Originally Posted by brandall10

I will say though, do you ever really see wood like that in older (pre 70 ban) sets?

Esp. older Martins, it's only the fairly boring straight grained brick red stuff, or occasionally sets with nice spider-webbing and wonderful color variation. I don't recall seeing these super wide dark bands.

I've noticed this effect is common with the wood Bourgeois uses, not so much SCGC. It surely is great QS wood no doubt, just wondering why it seems to used in newer builds... like maybe this is somehow reclaimed furniture grade stuff... or?

My 100~ year old Larson/Stahl has some fairly colorful BRW.

[AMW]

We received a very similar cut from Bourgeois, the year before the example that you mentioned.

[redir]

That's cool I did not know that is what gives this wood such features. I love the dark chocolate BRW. Here's one I am finishing up that looks remarkably similar to the one's linked in this thread. With nice dark chocolate sides too, you can hardly even see the grain in it.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Parlorman

My 100~ year old Larson/Stahl has some fairly colorful BRW.

Now THAT is a guitar I can get behind!

[Guitars44me]

image0.jpgimage1.jpg

John Kinnaird just posted these pics of my new custom. Not finished yet. Just "Joy juice"

This is very old, perfectly quartered reclaimed beam wood, I believe.

As for being behind a guitar, these bevels and a Manzer Wedge make for a very comfortable playing experience!!!

I too hope JK chimes in here.

Cheers

Paul