What's a good contrast wood for Amboyna Burl?

Fenris

Fenris

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm designing a plain jane cue with fancy rings. I know that Amboyna Burl is going to be one of the primary woods used. What I'm trying to come up with is a good contrast wood in terms of color and/or grain/figure. What do all of you think is a good contrast wood for amboyna?

I know that ebony is an obvious choice, and so far is my top choice. but if anyone can suggest a better wood, and include either a picture or link to a picture, then I may reconsider. Curly Maple is my second choice right now. Third is Holly.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
 
Here's a picture of the butt of a snooker cue I cue I have with amboyna butterflied intp maple, then rosewood, maple again, then ebony.

Be careful about making any judgments from this though, because this cue was handmade in China :D I got it at the factory

snkrcue20010.jpg
 
african blackwood is a dark dark dark dark smokey charcoal with a fine grain pattern.

any dark rosewood.

if you're having a plain jane made and are asking for another wood besides burl, that tells me you're getting a wood wrap. in which case i don't think you have to stick with contrast since there'll be three simple parts to the cue. it's not like you're asking for prongs where one part fingers into another.

another thing you could do is have the ebony stained over and over and over again with a golden brown until takes on a subtle warm tone to the black. that way you have contrast that won't be so stark as black and brown.

personal opinion....holly is bland and doesn't do anything for the burl.
 
Suggestion

I am going to suggest Brazilian Rosewood, and instead of curly maple, how about Tiger maple.
 
Bruin70 is correct in that I am going wrapless. Brass ringwork with black (phenolic or ebony) "base band" showing through.

I also prefer the red amboyna over the brown kind.

What is the difference between tiger maple and curly maple? I thought they were the same, just different names.

Any pics of Brazilian rosewood? Is it called by another name?

Trying to decide whether to have the amboyna as the forearm + sleeve, or as the handle. Also, thinking of maybe adding spliced points to the design. Right now, the design stands at ebony forearm + sleeve and amboyna handle with ringwork making it look like a three-piece handle.

What about amboyna forearm + sleeve and ebony handle? Or curly/tiger/BE maple handle? Three-piece look for handle stays.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming.
 
Also

Have you thought about a Kingwood handle with a Burl forearm and sleeve?
or Bacote?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top