Brazilian Rosewood, The Most Desired Wood | Maderas Barber

Dalbergia Nigra is a wood originating from the Atlantic forest of Brazil. This is a tropical coastal area, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and is home to numerous species of wood that are highly sought after in the world of luthiery. Its place of origin also makes it known as Bahia Rosewood, after the Brazilian state located in the same region. 

Brazilian Rosewood is a very hard and heavy wood, with a color ranging from deep red to various shades of brown, almost verging on black at times. Some pieces have black colored streaks called spider webs or landscapes, not unlike those of its relative Madagascar Rosewood. Another distinctive feature is its extraordinary resonance, the quality that makes it so prized by luthiers and guitar makers. If tapped, an evenly cut piece emits a clear, shimmering crystalline tone that lingers for seconds. This property, combined with its beauty, has made Brazilian Rosewood a favorite of musical instrument makers for centuries.