Santos Rosewood is a very dense, hard, compact and, most of all, long lasting wood. About its appearance, this tonewood has a great beauty thanks to its different color tonalities which goes from very dark brown to purple and yellow. And the results are incredible contrasts of colors.
Its acoustic properties are very similar to Indian Rosewood, but Santos Rosewood has a warmer and a more brilliant sound. Santos Rosewood also has a percussive touch and a high sustain: the perfect combination between Ebony and Indian Rosewood.
BOTANIC NAME: Machaerium scleroxylon.
COMMON NAMES: Pau Ferro, Morado, Bolivian Rosewood, Santos Rosewood.
ORIGIN: Brazil.
DESCRIPTION: Density 940 kg/m3. Colour can be highly varied, ranging from reddish/orange to a dark violet/brown, usually with contrasting darker black streaks. Narrow sapwood is a pale yellow and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Grain is typically straight, though sometimes slightly irregular or interlocked. Fine, even texture and a naturally high luster.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Pau Ferro is considered overall to be of fair workability, as it can blunt the cutting edges of tools, and any irregular grain has a tendency to tear out during machining operations. Also, many of the same challenges in gluing rosewoods are common to Pau Ferro as well. Pau Ferro turns and finishes well. Can cause eye and skin irritation.
DRYING: Dries slowly. No risk of deformation but it can crack.
USES: Guitar tops, backs, fingerboards , headplates and bridges. Wind instruments.
