Mystery wood...AZB wood detectives needed!

jazznpool

jazznpool

Superior Cues--Unchalked!
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In the first photo the largest square is 60 year old Brazilian Rosewood, next is Amazon Rosewood that I purchased as a board 4 years ago (only a scientific test can distinguish it from Brazilian Rosewood). The next square was purchased from a wood dealer located in Tennessee (eBay) as "Amazon Rosewood" but it surely isn't. It isn't even a rosewood as it has no fragrance when cut or turned. It is a cue worthy wood though, a bit light, however. I believe this wood is from South America and probably Brazil, but the truth is I don't really know. It has open pores similar to paduak. Does anyone have an idea? I have been searching for over 3 years for more real Amazon Rosewood and the real stuff seems impossible to locate. It is a great cue wood like Brazilian with excellent tone. I love the rich brown look it has when finished, Thanks for the help. Martin

mysterywood1a.jpg

mysterywood1b.jpg

mysterywood1c.jpg
 
I've got some Jatoba that looks just like that but it's a little on the heavy side
 
i think i have a piece of that martin.

does the end of the square have little holes too?

i think it is the same wood exactly and it was sold to me as Madagascar Rosewood from Gilmer,which i have no reason to doubt as there are so many varieties of Madagascar Rosewood.

the piece looks identical and is light weight like you said.smell was basically zero,but most of the East Indian i have cut didn't smell either,co no smell doesn't really mean no Rosewood.
 
jazznpool said:
In the first photo the largest square is 60 year old Brazilian Rosewood, next is Amazon Rosewood that I purchased as a board 4 years ago (only a scientific test can distinguish it from Brazilian Rosewood). The next square was purchased from a wood dealer located in Tennessee (eBay) as "Amazon Rosewood" but it surely isn't. It isn't even a rosewood as it has no fragrance when cut or turned. It is a cue worthy wood though, a bit light, however. I believe this wood is from South America and probably Brazil, but the truth is I don't really know. It has open pores similar to paduak. Does anyone have an idea? I have been searching for over 3 years for more real Amazon Rosewood and the real stuff seems impossible to locate. It is a great cue wood like Brazilian with excellent tone. I love the rich brown look it has when finished, Thanks for the help. Martin

mysterywood1a.jpg

mysterywood1b.jpg

mysterywood1c.jpg
Click to expand...

Can you post a macro shot of the end grain?
 
It looks like it could be Burmese padauk to me. I have quite a bit of it, and it is on the light side like you say. It is not nearly as orange as African padauk, and can be described as a redish brown. The tones range from medium to very high, but are typically very pingy.

Kelly
 
Please answer away! Thanks. Murray, we're you thinking there was a new AZB regulation against seeking wood information?:D

Thanks for the responses so far.



Murray Tucker said:
Can we answer this or do we have to PM it?

Looks like some Burmese rosewood that I have.
Click to expand...
 
don't laugh but....

from the pic im pretty sure thats mahogany, a closer up pic would be better...but still pretty sure.
 
"only a scientific test can distinguish it from Brazilian Rosewood"

Are you comparing the specific gravity or the color shown under Ultra Violet light while immersed in water?
 
Looks like you have gotten some pretty good leads so far. Another thing it could be is what they call, "mayan" rosewood. I got some & it's lightweight, light reddish brown, superb tone & no scent. I got it in Mexico, down on the Yukatan gulf coast by cozumel. The Hispanic locals called it, "chechem", and "poison tree". Not to be confused with chechen rose, totally different. The Mayan locals call it "Mayan" rosewood. Weird tree with tremendously poisonous sap that cause your skin to blister up and peel off like you got into some acid. Once dry it's supposedly fine, and by all accounts appears to be.

They also showed me the cure for that sap. It's a tree that grows in close proximity to the chechem. I didn't get any but I did see a tree that was split & the wood was the most vibrant glowing red I have ever seen. But then again, I also seen market carts made out of zircote, fiddleback katalox ceiling beams, camatillo rose fence boards, & some kind of beautiful burgundy color rosewood decking & boardwalk floors. Crazy woods everywhere. Stuff we covet for beauty, they utilize for practical applications with no care of how it looks. It's not exotic to them.
 
Tommy, several years ago when researching Amazon Rosewood, that is what I learned. I have no clue about the specific test needed. Amazon Rosewood was also harvested in Brazil. I think there has been very little to none of it improrted into the USA for a few years now. I first heard of the wood through guitar makers. I wish I would have bought more when I could. Thanks everyone for your responses!

Martin


hangemhigh said:
"only a scientific test can distinguish it from Brazilian Rosewood"

Are you comparing the specific gravity or the color shown under Ultra Violet light while immersed in water?
Click to expand...
 
if it is light weight

And looks like your pics then Mahogany is my choice too, I have some that is a dead ringer for those pieces
It used to be used in cues more, but heavier woods have found more acceptance lately.
 
mystery wood

Based on the color and grain, I think it's Sapele, which is native to tropical Africa very similar to a mahogany, but is usually redder in color. My last sailboat had the entire interior made from Sapele marine-grade plywood - its hard and durable, yet relatively easy to work, and doesn't gum up your cutting tools. But can have have a lot of interlocking grain that can product tear-outs if your tools aren't razor sharp

Check out these two sites for some info and pictures

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sapele.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapele

cheers,
 
Maybe.........

Maybe kamphi, or mahogany. If it's light, then it's not jatoba, which I believe is also known as brazilian cherry. jm2cents.
 
When I saw the pic of the Brazilian, I went downstairs to the man cave and looked at the 5 - 24" pieces that I have. I bought it as rosewood but didn't know it was from Brazil. If thats not what I have then I don't know what it is. Same color and grain. Maybe theres other rosewood that has similarities.
 
Terry, before you go ordering the new boat, there are like 174 +/- Rosewoods known to man and yes, many of them share numerous characteristics including, but not limited to, appearance. Anymore today, you've got to be really careful about what you're buying. Rosewoods come from literally all over the globe. Well, maybe not the Arctics.
 
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