Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

[Heretic]

I mean tonally wise? I've seen a read a lot of people saying that it's the best, and that Indian Rosewood does not even begin to compare, etc. I've seen pictures and they're excellent, but is the sound really worth $3000+? I only fiddle around with my sister's guitar and I intend to make my first Acoustic to be very good. I might be going to Hawaii and America just to hear this "holy grail" of acoustic tonewoods.

Thanks!

 

[fusion101]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

first off i would like to say u have the best forum name ever, and second yes it is a hole lot better that indian rosewood but 3000 bucks is a **** load of money, i'm sure u can find a brazillian rosewood acoustic for less.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

Don't completely believe all the hype surrounding it. Half the reason why it's so expensive is because of it's limited supply which means "rare" and automatically ups the price.

It is an amazing sounding wood, but so are others if used properly in your setup. I'm learning now that it's more about fitting the guitars' tone to other gear in the setup than what one person's opinion of the "best" wood is.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

its not worth cutting down the few remaining trees for, but if you can find some wood to recycle, it would be worth it.

 

[Curly]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

I can't really tell you if Brazilian rosewood is superior tonally, but it is absolutely one of the most beautiful hardwoods there is.

and that's really where I believe it's reputation is based - on its appearance.

so, it depends on the project .. if you are talking about your first acoustic project, I'd suggest using something else first, then decide if you want to use Brazilian rosewood later

BTW, Cocobolo can often approach Brazilian rosewood in beauty, although I've read it's more difficult to work with, due to its resin content. Another favorite instrument wood for me is koa, which can also have beautiful grain and coloration.

a good source for tone woods is Luthiers' Mercantile

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

The absolute best sounding acoustic guitars I have ever played had Brazilian Rosewood back, sides and fingerboards. IMO, it is absolutely worth it if you are getting A+ workmanship too. Nothing sounds as rich, deep, and harmonicly alive as a great Brazilian Rosewood acoustic guitar...such as a pre-65 Martin D-28 or OM-28 or the like.

My friend Rondo bought a new Les Paul Historic and ordered it with a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard. It was the first new Les paul I've ever played that actually sounded like one from the 50's.

Personally, I think ONE of the reasons most newer Les Pauls don't sound quite like those from the 50's is because the newer ones don't have Brazilian Rosewood fingerboards.

I'm sure there's second rate Brazilian that wouldn't sound as nice as first rate Indian...but regardless: first rate Brazilian sounds better to me than anything else I've used.

 

[Fatty]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

BTW, Cocobolo can often approach Brazilian rosewood in beauty, although I've read it's more difficult to work with, due to its resin content. Another favorite instrument wood for me is koa, which can also have beautiful grain and coloration.

From what I've read, it's hard to glue and quite commonly people have an allergic reaction to it.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

What Lew said is correct. The Old Martins made with Brazillian RW are the best I have ever heard. But I also believe it to have a lot to do with the way the guitars were made. The newer methods that Martin and other high end Acoustic builders use are more automated and I believe it has an effect on the sound of the guitar as much as the quality of the woods. Taylor attempted to prove this a few years back by building a guitar (by hand) from wood they found in the back of the factory that was srap from Palletes. The guitar sounded and played suprisingly well. So much of the sound is related to the builder as it is to the tone woods. I have a friend who bought Brazillian on his own, and sent it to Santa Cruz who built a OM from it. When he first recieved it it was stiff and lacked any character at all. About 2 months later the guitar sounded amazing. Any new guitar has to open up, depending on how much it is played and what conditions it was made under will have an effect on how quickly it will start to open up. It will also take a couple of years for the guitar to settle in. But after all this is said and done Bralillian is so highly regarded by players and builders for a reason. It simply sounds better over time.

 

[Blueline]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

This is just my opinion as a builder - many will disagree
BUT here goes nothing
as far as an acoustic goes - it makes a huge difference - when the back, and sides are made or braz rosewood
HOWEVER, in the case of an electric guitar - when customers ask if they should upgrade to rosewood, i usualy say its more a matter of feel and looks than tone
In my estimation, after you choose your amp, you pickups, your body and neck woods, you neck joint, your string gauge and bridge, i'd be hard pressed ot say that one guitar "sounds like" it has a braz fingerboard)
but that's just me, my ears may not be that good. On a related note, though my guitars are finished in thin nitro, i find it bizare when some guys say that polyesther isn't a good finish choice - i've never heard a guitar that i was sure had a nitro finish

again, acoustics are another world

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

I think there might be more personality to the mids with a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard that is lacking in other materials...even in an electric guitar. The mids seem to have more of a chewy complexity and texture. But I'm not certain of that...it's just what seems to be the case. I know when I played my buddy's Les Paul with the Brazilian RW fretboard I heard something right away that I hadn't heard from any other newish Les Paul. A thicker, more prominant and also warmer tone from the mids that was at same time livlier and more complex. You can hear that tone all over any Cream album, whether Clapton is playing his Les Paul or his SG. You'll also hear it when Eric Johnson plays his old ES-335. Lew

 

[Boston Joe]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

I have several acoustic guitars made from Brazilian Rosewood--- great sound: an airy, metallic tone with some understated harmonic depth, if you will. Better? Just different. I have a mahogany guitar that I really enjoy; nice Beatles/Joni Mitchell tones. It's all in the construction in regards to how the instrument resonates and projects, and of course the top is a major factor. I've come across mahogany acoustics that sound like respond like rosewood, and some that just sound like mahogany. I've played some Brazilian acoustics that were not very inspiring. The fretboard material is also a major contributor-- ebony will off a different sound as opposed to rosewood.

 

[B2D]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

It feels, looks, and sounds better. It's definitely worth it to me.

 

[Boston Joe]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

I've read a thesis about this question. After some 30 tests and modeling the guy who wrote that, came to the conclusion that the top is THE primary factor in an acoustic's tone, and the back and sides have surprizingly less role in that than we would ever believe.

Yes! BUT-- the different woods used in the sides and back do add the individual characteristics that certain models are reknown for. Whether they are any good, in what context they are utilized (studio or live performance; musical genres...), is another topic-- and subjective.

A great top is first tier.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Is Brazilian Rosewood really worth it?

Is the grain tighter on Brazilian Rosewood than others...here is my thing, I love the look of rosewood but would much rather play on maple or ebony...not if I could get a fingerboard that felt like maple but looked like rosewood I'd be in heaven!