Lets play, "name that wood"

Joined
Jan 24, 2001
Messages
915
Hey, folks. Just picked this one up, but neither the originally owner nor I really know for sure what the insert is. Please take a look <a href="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~tsai/balis/bali_new.jpg">here</a> and let me know if you can help me out. The wood is very dark in some places, and it has a sort of hologram-ish look to the grain. I think it may be desert ironwood. I'm pretty sure it is NOT cocobolo since it looks nothing like my 49. Any guesses?

Sorry the picture is so far away, but its the only one I have right now. I'll try to get a close-up scan if I can find my scanner.
 
Given the heavy contrast grain and coloration. My guess is Desert Ironwood.
 
zebra wood...or...lemme think...some high end basses are made out of it...it think it's called African Bubinga(sp?) wood...

Those are the only strange woods I know of.
 
purty! Can't really see the wood from the picture. I grew up in Hawaii, so it kind of looks like Turtle shell to me.
 
pic is too dark and doesn't have enough resolution to tell.

See if you can take a closeup of the wood.
 
Originally posted by Mr YODA
zebra wood...or...lemme think...some high end basses are made out of it...it think it's called African Bubinga(sp?) wood...
I'm fairly certain its not zebra wood either. Zebra wood is a light tan color with long, straight grains. This is grain is more wavy.
I'll hopefully take a picture or scan the handle before this weekend.
 
The pic isn't clear enough,but from what I can see you may have a good guess with desert ironwood.Nice bali in any case.
 
I don't know that much about wood but my guess would be Rose wood because of the darkness.:cool:
 
Congrats on a great find. I'd have to concure with Tony and go the Desert Ironwood thing. The swirl in the grain and the color would make me think this......;)
 
I agree with Dawkind, it looks like Desert Ironwood to me. My favorite wood :). A great looking Custom!



Doug
 
Well, I took some scans (best I can do). Hopefully somebody can now take a more edumacated guess.

<a href="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~tsai/balis/bali_insert2.jpg">Here is a close scan</a> of the entire bali. I wish the scan could show how highly polished the grind and the handles are. Its interesting to me how the grind of the blade is polished and the rest is satin.

Over at <a href="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~tsai/balis/pair_bali.jpg">this picture</a>, we can see the handle next to cocobolo. I am not so sure anymore that it isn't cocobolo, although it is a bit darker... but that could just be the stain. Anyway, I'm no woodologist. Anybody have a good ideas? :confused::confused:
 
Hey Andrew: Well, it's clear enough for me to say it's not Desert Ironwood. Lacks the gold overtones that Desert Ironwood is known for. The grain pattern and color more resembles Hondurus Rosewood in that scan. That would be my guess.

I'll defer to the more knowledgeable people.
 
I thought i was that before when i mentioned it and i agree even greater that it is. Was this a trivia contest in anyway?:confused: :cool:
 
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