Official Luthiers Forum!

Is anyone on OLF familiar with Brazilian Birdseye ? It's very unique compared to North American. It has a distinctive design not found in the NA variety. It is very hard to get and I am working on buying some blocks. Just wanted to know if any of you would be interested.

Loks like Masur (Karlian) Birch...

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

is this gonna be in backs and sides or electric blocks?

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

What would it cost? I might be interested.

What Dennis said. Genus and species?Howard Klepper38560.1249305556

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

It will be back / side sets. I'm not sure of the Genus and species yet. I just found this yesterday and need to do a little more research to find the correct translations from the Brazilians common names. That's what makes things a little difficult here. They have many different names for these woods. Depends on the area you are and the area it comes from. I just know when I find something somewhat unique, that catches my fance and then have to investigate a little. Just wanted to know if anyone else liked the look and if it's suitable for guitars I'll acquire enought to give it a test. Should know more on the price today. I know it's difficult to find here and even harder to get someone to sell a little of it. It mostly gets used for lamination. But, as soon as I know more I will post it here.

North American Bird's Eye Maple is not used very much in acoustic guitar construction, so you may not see much interest for the Brazilian BE. But, you may find a bigger audience for the wood in solid body (electric guitar) luthiers.

Because you are surrounded by forests with the greatest land-based biodiversity on the planet, I would encourage you to keep a sharp ear and eye for other species that are not the mainstream, commercially sought-after species. There are undoubtedly many more species there that are lesser-known that will make a fine musical instrument.

I have read that the Brazilian government (and perhaps the average Brazilian) is not very interested in the advice of America or Americans, because the USA has caused or carried out so much reckless resource plundering all over the world. However, along with the treasure trove of biodiversity that you have, comes the responsibility for stewardship. I'm not wagging a finger at you, I'm just mentioning that to let you know that you may be able to help find and promote the use of some lesser-known Brazilian species that will work great in lutherie, and that at least some of us would be very interested. Use of lesser-known species takes some of the pressure off of the well known commercial timber species. You may even be able to connect with one of the Rainforest Alliance Smartwood partners in Brazil.

Take care,

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

I have found a couple of lesser tried varieties that I am working on. One is Angico Preto (angico-preto ou arapiraca (Piptadenia macrocarpa). I bought one piece to cut and test the tonal qualities. It's very hard and taps out somewhere between Indian Rosewood and Brazilian Rosewood. The tone is sharp and brittle more like Brazilian and seems to be a bit harder. When fresh cut, it's more of a brownish color but, when I bought the piece it was very red. And when you put Naptha to it, it turns a very reddish like the reds you find in BR. This particular board has some markings like a flame. It reminds me of the flames on the "Original" Street Survivors album cover. And as a matter of fact I would consider making a deal with someone on this forum If someone has the desire to try something new...I would let one set go for $30 + the shipping ($35 Priority 5-9 days). Which would total $65. But, I prefer someone who has the desire to start the project fairly soon to get some feedback on the workability. Because there are a few more pieces from the same lot and if things are O.K. (some positive feedback)I would go ahead and buy the rest. I really like the tone tap and think it will build an excellent instrument. It's quarter sawn and the set is cut from the same piece. The dimensions are: Back: 22.25" Length X 7.5" Width X 3/16" thick. Sides: 32" Length and will be cut to whatever width you need also, 3/16" thickness. Anyone game ?

It looks very interesting, and if it has a ringing tap tone, it could be a winner. If the purplish color is correct, it looks like EI Rosewood crossed with Goncalo Alves! Very nice.

Here's some info I just Googled:

Taxonomy:
Taxonomy

Wood Flooring iInternational calls it "Patagonian Rosewood"
Wood Flooring Intl

USDA info (data looks promising, other than the difficulty in drying it.)
USDA info

I wish I was a prolific builder, I would take the offer. But, I am the world's slowest pre-luthier. I hope someone here gets it and gives it a try.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

I'll bite! I would like a set of that and coule get to it fairly soon, not immediately, but fairly soon.

John

O.K. John it's yours. Send me your shipping info and I'll get it packaged up. What width do you need the sides cut to ?

Brazilwood,
There used to be a guy up in Manaus that had a luthier school to benefit the underprivileged street kids there. He was using experimental alternative woods from the forest with the Brazilian government's blessing. You might try and look him up and see what woods he can suggest are good for luthier work.

Here's the school that Robbie mentioned. Manaus Lutherie School This article is from 2001; I hope the school is still there.

The school has had its wood supplied by Preciuos Woods Amazon, a Swiss company that has the distinction of having the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in the Brazilian Amazon. FSC is the umbrella organization that the Rainforest Alliance Smartwood program is under.

Thanks, Robbie! This is several notches past interesting. Perhaps "Brazilwood" can benefit not only from the information from the school to identify useful luthier alternative tonewoods, but also have a contact for FSC certified Brazilian lumber that meets luthier wood criteria. How cool is that!

-Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Interesting articles Dennis. Thanks for the links. I recently returned from Northern Brazil where my wifes family lives and I totally understand the ideas of the Lutherie School to teach the kids and give them a future. The poverty is really hard to deal with. There are so many there that have so little. It's really heartbreaking and it was an eye opening experience for me. I wish more americans could come and see how life is for so many. Maybe they would think twice before complaining about their problems, or what they perceive as problems. They should really be counting their blessings. Thanks again...

Shipping info:
   John Kinnaird
   100 rolling Road
   social circle,
   Georgia, 30025

Make those sides about 5 inches wide and 33 inches long. That will give me a little extra for ripping matching binding.

Thanks
John

I think the Angico Preto is more often sold in North America as Curupay.
That may be the common name in Bolivia.

Do you ever get any Brauna (melanoxylon brauna)? I have one set that I
have not yet used. I think it has good potential.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.