South America Cypress shares some qualities with its brother, the Mediterranean Cypress. Both of them are light woods, soft and resistant at the same time. South America Cypress is mostly used in Flamenco guitars, but also in classic guitars, because it adds a brilliant and percussive sound to the instrument, very appreciated by flamenco artists.
However, they have some differences. South America Cypress has a thicker color with more irregularities and it is less harmonic. But, it is also less expensive and more available than Mediterranean Cypress.
In Maderas Barber we have South America Cypress backs for classic guitar in a very good price. A wood very easy to work with and with a perfect acoustic for this part of the instrument.
BOTANIC NAME: Cupressus sempervirens.
COMMON NAMES: Cypress, South American Cypress
ORIGIN: South America
DESCRIPTION: Density 400-600 Kg/m3. Heartwood is a pale yellowish or reddish brown. Narrow sapwood is paler and usually clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Grain is usually straight, though small knots are sometimes present, creating a more irregular grain pattern. Fine, medium texture . This Cypress is not as aromatic as the Mediterranean one.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Sawing is difficult because of the knots. Smooth machining. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
DRYING: Drying process must be careful.
USES: Guitar backs and sides.
