Brazilian Rosewood — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Brazilian RosewoodType: tonewoodThe most revered tonewood in guitar history, now extremely scarce and strictly regulated, known for its unparalleled tonal richness, visual beauty, and intoxicating aroma.## Botanical Description Brazilian rosewood (*Dalbergia nigra*) is native to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems on Earth. The tree once grew abundantly from Bahia south to Rio de Janeiro, but centuries of exploitation for furniture, musical instruments, and export reduced it to a critically endangered species. The heartwood is extraordinarily variable in color, ranging from deep chocolate and violet to orange, red, and near-black, often with dramatic spider-web grain patterns and vivid streaking. The wood is extremely dense, hard, and oily, with a distinctive sweet, floral aroma that is immediately recognizable to experienced woodworkers. ## Tonal Properties Brazilian rosewood is widely considered the finest back-and-sides tonewood ever used in guitar construction. It delivers everything Indian rosewood offers but amplified: deeper bass, more crystalline trebles, richer overtones, greater sustain, and a three-dimensional quality that fills a room. The scooped-midrange rosewood character is present but less extreme, with more midrange warmth and complexity than Indian rosewood. The piano-like clarity of individual notes within chords is exceptional. Vintage pre-war Martin guitars built with Brazilian rosewood are the most sought-after acoustic guitars in the world, and their sound is the reference standard for the species. ## Use in Lutherie Brazilian rosewood was the standard back-and-sides wood for premium American gu…