What kind of rosewood

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rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

What kind of rosewood

Hey, I searched for a way to tell the difference between rosewoods and I could not find anything. Is there a way to know if a guitar has Indian or Brazilian or anything else?
One being lighter than the other is not much help if I have both in front of me.

I suppose my best bet is to post a picture.
Thanks

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 14:22:27

bursche

Posts: 1182
Joined: Jul. 19 2007
From: Frankfurt, Germany

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

All I can say is that on all guitars I have seen those made of Indian rosewood were cut differently than those made of Rio or Madagascar rosewood. You see a relatively fine grain on Indian rosewood whereas Brazilian and Madagascar rosewood sometimes have these spectacular patterns.
I've seen a Caviuna guitar that was difficult to distinguish from a Indian rosewood guitar though.
I had the impression that most of the Indian rosewood used has a darker colour, but maybe it would be the best for you to ask our luthiers for advice, I'm not the person to give a well-founded opinion on those questions.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 17:18:07

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

It can sometimes be pretty hard to tell visually. I've seen super straight grained BRW that looked like EIR and wildly figured EIR that I thought might be BRW. In my (limited) experience, Brazilian has a bit of a different smell than EIR. I guess I would call it sweeter smelling. You sometimes have to scratch the wood to get the smell to come out.

A little side fact - BRW oil is one of the main ingredients in Chanel No.5 perfume:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/international/americas/30rosewood.html?_r=1&8hpib

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 18:10:45

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

Another thing that can be helpful is comparing colors - I don't know if this is exclusive to each specific genus, but I've seen EIR with hints of purple and lot of great old Brazilian with wonderful green tints.

Definitely post a pic if you have a set you're wondering about - I'd be interested to see it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 18:13:55

BarkellWH

Posts: 3460
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

Madagascar Rosewood tends to have a reddish hue, while Indian Rosewood tends to be very dark.

Cheers,

Bill

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 19:18:49

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3431
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to ralexander)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ralexander

A little side fact - BRW oil is one of the main ingredients in Chanel No.5 perfume:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/international/americas/30rosewood.html?_r=1&8hpib

This from C. F. Vega at

http://tinyurl.com/4o2563x

"I've read a number of articles, both on the internet and in print, stating that the use of "Brazilian rosewood oil" by the perfume/fragrance industry has contributed in large part to the near extinction, international trade bans and resulting exhorbitant prices of Dalbergia nigra, the true Brazilian rosewood of lore and legend.
Nonsense...."

He goes on at some length to point out that the tree that produces "rosewood oil" is not only a different species, but a different genus from dalbergia nigra, used for guitars.

I recently dealt with a seller of Danish furniture from the mid-20th century. More than two years ago he had a shipment confiscated by the US Customs Service. It said "Brazilian Rosewood" on the invoice.

The furniture dealer hired a taxonomist from the local university, who proved the furniture was not dalbergia nigra, but a closely related species. The dealer got his furniture back.

Years ago I read that the only sure way to distinguish wood species is through microscopic analysis of cells from a sample of the wood, and chemical tests.

A recent story was that the US Customs Service is developing a swab test to distinguish Brazilian rosewood from other species. A good story if you're trying to scare people into not importing it without CITES documentation.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2011 20:50:02

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

Interesting, Richard - I've seen that supposed "fact" about Chanel No.5 for years online, but never anything disputing the claim. Thanks for sharing!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2011 11:21:14

rogeliocan

Posts: 811
Joined: Nov. 23 2009
From: Canada

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

Thanks all,
So I would think it's Indian. It is quite dark and brown with straight grain, no purple at all.

And it does not smell like Chanel.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2011 21:51:45

rodpacheco

Posts: 80
Joined: Apr. 19 2010
From: Mexico

RE: What kind of rosewood (in reply to rogeliocan)

Hello rogeliocan!

Yes, I believe that sounds right, dark and brown with strain grain IRW. However, even when I think fretboard wood and back and sides are selected differently, I got a fretboard blank of Indian Rosewood and it was PURPLE PURPLE! even got a bridge blank to match. I wish I could stumble into more pieces like that, it looked sooo good! Although it is very hard to tell by a glance, it looked, felt and planed just like IRW, much more likely than other species of rosewoods.

Saludos!

Rodrigo Pacheco @ Delirio Hand-made Guitars