African Blackwood Instrument Billets
Dalbergia melanoxylon
The heartwood is purplish to brownish-black with dark gray streaks giving an overall impression of being black. Lustrous with an attractive inner chatoyance. Very hard, heavy, close-grained, and virtually free from pores. Its stability and lovely tonal qualities make it an excellent instrument wood.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37056
Bird's-eye Maple Bass Guitar Finger Boards
Acer saccharum
The heartwood is white or cream to light brown or reddish brown. Figured somewhat like that of burl with many small eyes separate from each other. Hard and heavy, 45 lbs/cu ft. Easy to work and takes a smooth polish. U.S.A.
Item Number: IW37055
Bird's-eye Maple Bass Guitar Finger Boards
Acer saccharum
The heartwood is white or cream to light brown or reddish brown. Figured somewhat like that of burl with many small eyes separate from each other. Hard and heavy, 45 lbs/cu ft. Easy to work and takes a smooth polish. U.S.A.
Item Number: IW37054
Guatemalan Rosewoopd 3 piece Guitar Neck Set
Dalbergia tucarensis
This Rosewood species has a reddish-brown to dark brown colored heartwood contrasting the almost white sapwood. The dust has a sweet odor. It is an excellent furniture/case works/jewelry box wood and even though it has a medium texture it does take a nice polish. We also offer it as a musical instrument wood (see guitar fingerboards and backs & sides elsewhere on the site). It has a very "crisp" tap tone with good sustain.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37049
Bird's-eye Maple Guitar Neck Blanks
Acer saccharum
The heartwood is white or cream to light brown or reddish brown. Figured somewhat like that of burl with many small eyes separate from each other. Hard and heavy, 45 lbs/cu ft. Easy to work and takes a smooth polish. U.S.A.
Item Number: IW37047
Sitka Spruce Instrument Bracing Stock
Picea sitchensis
A conifer species native to the Pacific Coast of the U.S.A. It became well known during World War II because of its use in airplane construction. Widely used for sounding boards and tonewoods in the manufacture of musical instruments.
Item Number: IW37046
Sitka Spruce Instrument Bracing Stock
Picea sitchensis
A conifer species native to the Pacific Coast of the U.S.A. It became well known during World War II because of its use in airplane construction. Widely used for sounding boards and tonewoods in the manufacture of musical instruments.
No runout.
Item Number: IW37045
Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
The backs on this set have a small crack on one piece at one end. It's about 1 1/2" long but doesn't look to interfere in the template drawn on that piece.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37044
Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37043
Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37042
Brazilian Rosewood Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37041
Sitka Spruce Ukulele Top Sets
Picea sitchensis
A conifer species native to the Pacific Coast of the U.S.A. It became well known during World War II because of its use in airplane construction. Widely used for sounding boards and tonewoods in the manufacture of musical instruments.
Item Number: IW37038
East Indian Rosewood 3 piece Solid Body Guitar Blanks
Dalbergia latifolia
This is grown on plantations in Indonesia where it is called Sonokeling. These came from a tree large enough and old enough to look much like the old-growth lumber from India.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37032
East Indian Rosewood 2 piece Guitar Neck Sets
Dalbergia latifolia
This is grown on plantations in Indonesia where it is called Sonokeling. These came from a tree large enough and old enough to look much like the old-growth lumber from India.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37031
Figured Black Limba Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW37026
Figured Black Limba Acoustic Guitar Back & Sides Set
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW37025
Curly European Sycamore Viola Back & Ribs
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
There are 4 rib pieces.
Item Number: IW37024
Curly European Sycamore Guitar Peghead Veneers
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
Item Number: IW37022
Curly European Sycamore Guitar Peghead Veneers
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
Item Number: IW37021
Curly European Sycamore Arch Top Back & Sides Set
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
Item Number: IW37019
Curly European Sycamore Arch Top Back & Sides Set
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
Item Number: IW37018
Genuine Mahogany Solid Body Guitar Blanks
Swietenia macrophylla
Also called Acajou, Tropical American Mahogany, and Honduras Mahogany. This medium to large tree occurs throughout Central and South America. Related to Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) and Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis). It produces one of the classic furniture and cabinetmaking woods. The heartwood varies from a light reddish-brown to a rich, dark red. Generally straight grained and exceptionally stable, it is easy to machine, hand plane, sand and finish. Occasional logs produce several figures, curly, quilted, and the rare plum pudding figure which looks like large drips running down the board. Used in fine furniture and joinery, boat building, and in the guitar industry for acoustic sets and necks.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37015
Genuine Mahogany Solid Body Guitar Blanks
Swietenia macrophylla
Also called Acajou, Tropical American Mahogany, and Honduras Mahogany. This medium to large tree occurs throughout Central and South America. Related to Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) and Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis). It produces one of the classic furniture and cabinetmaking woods. The heartwood varies from a light reddish-brown to a rich, dark red. Generally straight grained and exceptionally stable, it is easy to machine, hand plane, sand and finish. Occasional logs produce several figures, curly, quilted, and the rare plum pudding figure which looks like large drips running down the board. Used in fine furniture and joinery, boat building, and in the guitar industry for acoustic sets and necks.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW37014
Black Limba Instrument Billets
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW37013
Black Limba 2 piece Guitar Neck Set
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW37006
Padouk Guitar Neck Blanks
Pterocarpus soyauxii
This brick-red colored West African hardwood was once one of the more common imported hardwoods but has become increasingly scarce in the last couple of years. It is easy to work, takes a nice polish and is dimensionally stable.
Item Number: IW37005
Curly European Sycamore Lam Top Guitar Set
Acer pseudoplatanus
This European Maple is native to central Europe and west Asia. It is a tough, white or cream colored, fine-grained timber. It reminds me of vanilla ice cream because it is so even-colored. It works well in any grain direction. It is used for musical instruments, furniture, cabinetry, and because it is non-staining it is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, rolling pins, and cutting boards. The figure is fiddleback on the quartersawn surface and more of a broken curl on the flatsawn surface. Select, quartersawn material is used for violin backs and sides and necks. Dry.
Very nice curl plus silk.
Item Number: IW37004
Ziricote Guitar Bridge Blanks
Cordia dodecandra
Ziricote is another timber we get from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a lovely wood with a very pronounced ray fleck on radial surfaces sometimes producing a "landscape" effect much like picture jasper.
Item Number: IW37001
West African Ebony Guitar Bridge Blanks
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: IW37000
Honduras Rosewood Guitar Peghead Veneers
Dalbergia stevensonii
A true rosewood, most of our stock comes from Belize. Smelling like stored apples, it is a lovely wood to turn and takes a fantastic polish. Getting scarce on the world market.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36996
Figured Spanish Cedar Ukulele Back & Sides Set
Cedrela sp.
Also called Cigar Box Cedar because of its aromatic scent and its wide use in tobacco humidors. It resembles the wood of South American Mahogany to which it is related. Heartwood color varies from a light pinkish brown to reddish brown. It is fairly light in weight.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36994
White Limba 2 piece Guitar Neck Sets
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36993
Black Limba Guitar Neck Blank
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW36987
Redwood Ukulele Top Sets
Sequoia sempervirens
These often times enormous trees are some of the largest living organisms on earth. They thrive in the fog belt along the northern Pacific coast in California. The heartwood is pink to a deep reddish brown. The wood is soft, easily worked, and exceptionally durable.
Item Number: IW36986
White Limba 3 piece Solid Body Guitar Blanks
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36985
White Limba Instrument Billets
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36984
Redwood Ukulele Top Sets
Sequoia sempervirens
These often times enormous trees are some of the largest living organisms on earth. They thrive in the fog belt along the northern Pacific coast in California. The heartwood is pink to a deep reddish brown. The wood is soft, easily worked, and exceptionally durable.
Item Number: IW36981
Genuine Mahogany Ukulele & Guitar Neck Blanks
Swietenia macrophylla
Also called Acajou, Tropical American Mahogany, and Honduras Mahogany. This medium to large tree occurs throughout Central and South America. Related to Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) and Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis). It produces one of the classic furniture and cabinetmaking woods. The heartwood varies from a light reddish-brown to a rich, dark red. Generally straight grained and exceptionally stable, it is easy to machine, hand plane, sand and finish. Occasional logs produce several figures, curly, quilted, and the rare plum pudding figure which looks like large drips running down the board. Used in fine furniture and joinery, boat building, and in the guitar industry for acoustic sets and necks.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36979
White Limba Guitar Neck Stringer Billets
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36978
White Limba 2 piece Guitar Neck Sets
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36977
White Limba 2 piece Ukulele Neck Set
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36976
White Limba 2 piece Solid Body Guitar Blank
Terminalia superba
Also known in the guitar trade as Korina. This is a fairly lightweight, light-colored wood from West Africa with excellent tonal qualities. Occasional logs have a dark colored heart which produces what we call Black Limba.
Item Number: IW36974
Black Limba Guitar Neck Stringer Billet
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW36971
Genuine Mahogany Ukulele & Guitar 2 piece Neck Sets
Swietenia macrophylla
Also called Acajou, Tropical American Mahogany, and Honduras Mahogany. This medium to large tree occurs throughout Central and South America. Related to Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) and Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis). It produces one of the classic furniture and cabinetmaking woods. The heartwood varies from a light reddish-brown to a rich, dark red. Generally straight grained and exceptionally stable, it is easy to machine, hand plane, sand and finish. Occasional logs produce several figures, curly, quilted, and the rare plum pudding figure which looks like large drips running down the board. Used in fine furniture and joinery, boat building, and in the guitar industry for acoustic sets and necks.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36964
African Blackwood Instrument Billets
Dalbergia melanoxylon
The heartwood is purplish to brownish-black with dark gray streaks giving an overall impression of being black. Lustrous with an attractive inner chatoyance. Very hard, heavy, close-grained, and virtually free from pores. Its stability and lovely tonal qualities make it an excellent instrument wood.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
These African Blackwood billets are cut from logs in Africa in 2023. To prevent cracking while in transit to the US, they were completely dipped in hot paraffin wax before being palletized and shipped.
Since they cannot season fully encased in wax, we remove the wax and apply several coats of clear shellac. This seals the wood and protects it from spikes in temperature or drops in humidity but has some porosity which allows the wood to dry and season. We recommend you keep it wrapped in the shrink wrap we applied before shipping. It is best stored in a cool climate (65-70° F) and with relative humidity around 35%.
When you are milling this wood, keep watch and if it starts developing small air checks, put a coat of shellac or paste wax on it. These large, mostly clear boards are incredibly rare in African Blackwood so please take pains to prevent degradation.
C has about 20-30 pinholes. Easily filled with dust and super glue. Priced accordingly.
Item Number: IW36963
Ziricote Ukulele Back & Sides Set
Cordia dodecandra
Ziricote is another timber we get from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is a lovely wood with a very pronounced ray fleck on radial surfaces sometimes producing a "landscape" effect much like picture jasper.
Item Number: IW36958
West African Ebony Guitar Bridge Blanks
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: IW36957
West African Ebony Guitar Bridge Blanks
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: IW36956
Santos Rosewood Guitar Peghead Veneers
Machaerium sp.
This wood has gained in popularity since the early 1990's when Brazilian Rosewood was designated an endangered species. Furniture manufacturers used it as a Brazilian Rosewood substitute but it stands on its own as an instrument tone wood.
Item Number: IW36951
Pernambuco Guitar Bridge Blanks
Guilandina echinata
Almost all Pearwood imported into the U.S.A. has been steamed to bring out a more pinkish-red color and to prevent drying stresses. Formerly the wood was used for carving, turning, drawing instruments, wood engravings, textile printing blocks, and tool handles. Stained black it is an excellent substitute for Ebony. Contemporary uses include woodwinds such as recorders, furniture, kitchen accessories, jewelry and other boxes, and architectural uses such as paneling and doors.
Item Number: IW36950