Official Luthiers Forum!

Can I get some info on the working properties of Brazilian rosewood? How does it bend? Do you use basically the same thickness and bracing as with East Indian?
I have never used it before but I may have an order if I'm willing to use Brazilian.
Also, I know it is hard to get but where can I get a set? Is there a wood company that sells it or will I have to get it from a luthier.

brazilian is available from many sources, including some of our sponsors. i believe steve at colonial and don williams have some very old, straight grain qs stock. allied also sells it to name a few. i would recommend that you not get involved with the ebay vendors.

depending on the grain and figure, it can be quite prone to cracking. most builders pad their price heavily to cover the time related risks of building with it as well as the higher risks of warranty claims.

there may also be cites issues if the client wishes to travel internationally with the instrument.

but the aroma is blissful!

Typically BR is a little harder, denser, and more resinous/oily than EIR. It cracks more easily than EIR, but not as badly as woods like wenge or bloodwood. It's also rarely available in the straight-grained, well-quartered cut that you find easily with EIR, which contributes to it cracking more easily. Bends easily; resin will bubble out of it and scorch and you'll worry that you burned it, but it's mostly on the surface. Cuts and scrapes more smoothly and takes a higher polish than EIR.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Thanks for the info guys!