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 Post subject: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 3:48 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm
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Location: United States
First name: Ken
Last Name: Hageman
City: Statesville
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28625
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Status: Amateur
Greetings,

Just looking a tonewood on eBay. I know prices have skyrocketed, but I saw a few sets of Cocobolo in the $600 - $800 dollar range. Are people actually paying that amount for this wood. And why?

Thanks
Ken Hageman


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 4:14 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:14 pm
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First name: Heath
Last Name: Blair
City: Visalia
State: California
Country: USA
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Status: Amateur
About five years ago I bought a set from Hibdon for $96 delivered. I guess those days are over. I've also noticed that with the increase in price has come a decrease in quality. I think that's called scarcity. It's unfortunate because I really like cocobolo. I'm a hobby builder, so I can't imagine paying 600-800 dollars for a set.

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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 4:25 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:50 pm
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Location: Seattle WA
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Asking price and selling price are two different things. I seriously doubt if anybody is paying that much. I would say around the 300's for the nicer stuff.

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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 4:42 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:17 pm
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City: Escondido
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I am only passing on second hand and don't know any details, but apparently cocobolo was a sudden fad and was being cut like crazy. It now has some export restrictions. The funny thing is that I was introduced to cocobolo as an abundant and inexpensive rosewood alternative. Now it's become a super luxury wood. I guess the lesson is no wood survives a sudden global fad.


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 4:48 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:42 pm
Posts: 4217
Location: Buffalo, NY
First name: Robert
Last Name: Cefalu
City: Buffalo
State: NY
Zip/Postal Code: 14217
Country: US
Cocobolo is the most beautiful of the rosewoods IMHO

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 4:51 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm
Posts: 209
Location: United States
First name: Ken
Last Name: Hageman
City: Statesville
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28625
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Im with Robert. Cocobolo is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the Rosewoods. I have some wood that I bought in 1993 All quartersawn and a lot of it has what I call "bees wing" figure in it. I guess that stuff would sell for a pretty penny. Not for sale at this time. Robert, you sell a lot of wood. If I croak before I use it, I will leave a note with my wife to get a hold of you!!!



These users thanked the author KHageman for the post: Bobc (Sat May 23, 2015 4:58 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 5:00 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:42 pm
Posts: 4217
Location: Buffalo, NY
First name: Robert
Last Name: Cefalu
City: Buffalo
State: NY
Zip/Postal Code: 14217
Country: US
Ken I sure wish I had more of that cocobolo. They were 10" x 10" x 48 to 50" long. Cut them all on the quarter to reveal that beautiful bees wing figure. Those were the good old days.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 5:09 pm 
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Koa
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City: New Smyrna Beach
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Country: United States
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Status: Amateur
Premium sets of Cocobolo are selling for around $450. Truly exceptional exhibition grade stuff might sell for a bit more -- and there is a bunch of flatsawn stuff selling in the $150 to $300 range, depending on quality.


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 7:06 pm 
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Hi Bob, I have some of those bees wing coco sets that I got from you some years ago, very nice. Coco is not only one of the most beautiful rosewoods, it is also really varied in color and figure.

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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 8:06 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:12 pm
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First name: Mike
Last Name: O'Melia
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State: Alabama
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Jerry at Hibdon told me that the drug cartels, gangs, etc in Mexico are causing the problem. Until those issues are resolved, prices are gonna be high. I don't know if that is an oversimplification, or possibly I misunderstood. I have to admit it gave me pause to think I might be aiding that monsterous mess of drugs and death buying the stuff. I hope not. Has anyone heard likewise to back this up?

Mike


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 8:28 pm 
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Hmmm...
if folks are really getting that sort of cash for good Cocobolo, I should sell some of my sets!
I need new windows for the house!

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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 9:32 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm
Posts: 209
Location: United States
First name: Ken
Last Name: Hageman
City: Statesville
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28625
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
The dealer where I bought my cocobolo 20 some years ago says that one of the big problems is China. They buy the stuff up in squared off cants for more money than he can pay for having the material cut into boards. That is one of the reason the wood is regulated in Mexico and Central American to stop the over cutting (I believe it already has been overcut). My friend said he doesn't blame the sawyers. Why would you want to cut a log into boards when all you have to do is square off the cant and get paid more money. Sad.


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 7:39 pm 
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Seems like all the problems with everything becoming scarce these days point towards China. But 100 years ago, it was probably the US.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."


Last edited by Don Williams on Mon May 25, 2015 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Sun May 24, 2015 10:48 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 5:46 am
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I guess I'm glad I developed an allergy to years back! :)

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http://jameswattsguitars.com


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 5:20 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:34 am
Posts: 3081
Makes me itch and wheeze just thinking about it.


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 7:41 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5968
Now that it is becoming harder to get people will extol it's virtues and forget it's problems.Although it is very pretty when first cut it seems to turn very dark with time. I like cocobolo, but when I work with it I treat it like working with poison ivy - avoid contact with the dust, and shower off soon after.


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 7:15 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:42 pm
Posts: 4217
Location: Buffalo, NY
First name: Robert
Last Name: Cefalu
City: Buffalo
State: NY
Zip/Postal Code: 14217
Country: US
Don't forget. No Lacy Act in China. They import whatever they want, Pay up front with no hassles.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 7:40 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6262
Location: Virginia
In a way this is good news to me and I hope the trend continues for at least another 20 years when my cocobolo trees are mature enough to cut :)


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 Post subject: Re: Cocobolo Prices
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 9:56 am 
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:05 am
Posts: 685
Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida
First name: Glenn
Last Name: LaSalle
City: Saint Petersburg
State: Florida
Status: Amateur
I bought these a few years ago from Bob C at one of the Swap-a-loozas. I was going to sand using my Performax and see if I have any issues with allergies, etc. If not, these will be used on my next 2 builds. If so, they will be going in the classified section!

Glenn

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