Question On Woods?

[dbirchett]

A couple of questions about various woods for the luthiers or more technical minded?

1. When the Japanese began to export decent acoustic guitars, several of them were using a tonewood they called Jacaranda and I believe I saw some referred to as Jacaranda rosewood. The only Jacaranda tree I know is a Mimosa-type tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia I believe) which has beautiful purplish-blue flowers for a few weeks and then deposits trash all over your yard for 11 months (actually 12 but for the month of blooming, you don't care too much). Is this the wood which is used or is it referring to a different tree? Is anyone using it as a tonewood now?

2. When a rosewood guitar is described as having "Indian Rosewood" is it Dalbergia latifolia or Dalbergia sissoo (or another Indian Dalbergia) or are both commonly used?

Don

[hcole]

I certainly don't have an answer for you, but if no one here knows a good place to try would be the forum at acguitar.com.  They have a Luthiers Corner on the forum and I'm sure the guys there would be able to answer you.  I imagine Matthew would be able to answer your question if he checks in.