Honduras
Rosewood
Dalbergia Stevensonii, or Honduras Rosewood, a
member of the Leguminosae Family , is used in
Musical Instrument Making in various ways: as
sound timber in Marimba phones and other
percussion Instruments as well as in Recorders
and other woodwind instruments. It originates
primarily from the southern part of Belize,
formerly British Honduras, hence the name. This
timber species grows to a height of between 15
and 30 m and has a diameter of about 1 m. It
produces a timber that is hard, heavy, durable
and very resonant. The Heartwood is pinkish brown
to purple with alternating dark and light zones
forming a very attractive figure, distinct from 2
½ to 5cm thick yellow sapwood. The Texture
is medium to rather fine, the grain generally
straight to slightly roey the luster low to
medium. Fresh cut or turned wood has an aromatic
odour which dissipates with age
Please read also this article about Honduras
Rosewood by Tom Ridenour of Ridenour Clarinets:
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/grenadillamyth.htm
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Tulip wood
(Dalbergia Frutescens, D. Decipularis)
Dalbergia Frutescens, or Tulipwood, a member of
the Leguminosae Family, is used for ornatmental
turnery, various other decorative applications
like inlays and musical instrument making since
the 18th Century.
A small tree, rarely bigger than 0.25m diameter
and smaller with the sapwood removed, about 0.2m.
The Heartwood is pink-yellow with a pronounced
striped figure of pink to deep red. The Sapwood
is white to pale yellow, often cut off at source.
Found in South America, most notably Brazil where
it flourishes near Bahia and Pernambuco. The name
Tulipwood mostlikely comes from the tulip-like
colours found in the heartwood, but like many
members of the Dalbergia genus, Brazilian
Tulipwood has a pleasant scent when the wood is
cut that reminds of Tulips.
In Musical Instrument making it is used mainly
for Recorders, Flutes and Marimba keys.
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Black Maire (Nestegis Cunninghamii)
The Black Maire tree grows in colder climates of
the central North Island of New Zealand. This
moderately proportioned tree belies the
spectacular grain within.
The timber is dense, hard and has good sound
qualities. Relatively new to the use for making
Woodwind Instruments it provides a good
alternative to the well established timbers used
for Flutes. It has, despite the name, a white to
yellow appearance .The grain changes in its cross
section from cream white through brown to contain
black streaks. The texture is very clean cutting
and beautiful "off the tool". Freshly cut timber
has a strong aromatic smell that reminds a bit of
Eucalyptus.
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Jichituriqui (Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon)
Jichituriqui, also known as Peroba Rosa or
Bolivian Pear. Belongs to the Family of
Apocynaceae and is found in the Monsoon Forests
of Bolivia in sufficient amounts. Density is
about 0.89 g/cm³ at 12% moisture content, it
resembles Maple in it's physical appearance and
is a substitute for european Pear.
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