Brazilian rosewood

Let's talk about Brazilian. It's certainly the most sought-after tonewood and has developed a cult-like status
among some players and collectors. It's pretty, very resonant, has a glorious history as a lutherie wood, and is becoming rare.

Brazilian rosewood is on the CITES list – that means that it is illegal to export newly-cut wood from its country of origin. It's not
endangered, but it is overharvested and will be more threatened unless the current situation is changed.

Probably because of its increasing rarity, it's more in demand than ever. Does that seem perverse to you? It does to me.

There are two legal sources of Brazilian rosewood in the U.S. at this time:
• old stock that's been in barns, attics, and wood piles for the last thirty years or more;
• old, cut trees (and stumps) in Brazil, that are legal to process and export.

I try to find a rational approach to Brazilian. As a confirmed tree-hugger/conservationist/environmental nut case, I will not use any
wood that I suspect of being harvested illegally. As a dedicated woodworker, I will not use any wood whose structural properties are suspect. With Brazilian, that leaves few choices!

The Ash(re)born shown below was made of old Brazilian (been in the States for many, many years). It's pretty well quarter-sawn, and pretty straight grain. This is my standard for Brazilian. Fancy grain, flatsawn wood, and the figure that is found in some stump wood all contribute to lower stability and the likelihood of future problems. I make the judgement that neither I nor Running Dog customers need to take that risk.

If you order a Brazilian rosewood guitar from Running Dog, you are assured that it will made of the best, most stable and sound, legal, and least environmentally destructive wood available.




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