Madagascan Rosewood

For a long time now (probably since Antonio Torres' ground breaking Spanish guitars)Rio Rosewood was the pre-eminent guitar back and side wood. However over harvesting in its natural range has meant that this is no longer the case. Indeed its inclusion on the CITES list has severely curtailed its regular use pretty much on production guitars since the mid to late 1960's and East Indian rosewood being very much more readily available became its natural successor as it has the definite contribution to the tone of a guitar and has a similar dark colour to Rio Rosewood. However in terms of Spiderweb figure and sheer beauty, East Indian Rosewood is very beautiful in its own right but more sober and sombre in its figure being generally much more straight grained and uniform overall. This has seen Prices rocket for any guitar made with Rio Rosewood to stupid proportions and also iffy or downright illegal Rosewood coming to be sold as guitar sets. Indeed generally speaking a lot of guitars are being made in Rio Rosewood that at best is poor quality wood.  However a relatively new player in the Rosewood market has come to be sort after and regarded almost as highly Rio Rosewood.

                                This newer Rosewood is Madagascan Rosewood and most specifically Dalbergia Baroni to give it its Latin name. It is know also as Vambona or Voamboana. This Rosewood has the spiderweb figure seen on the best Rio Rosewood, fabulous colouration and most importantly, the tone response so similar to Rio rosewood that it is even difficult for experts to tell the difference between the two. Even since its introduction as a tonewood its cost is relatively high by comparison to Indian rosewood and this has meant it is only likely to be found on High end guitars. However, recently there have been drastic problems with over logging in Madagascar in specifically the areas that Rosewood grows as well as Madagascar ebony. There is now strict policies in place in Madagascar restricting logging and export of Rosewood and Ebony more specifically. This would appear to be driven by the Chinese high end market for Exotic timber furniture. Whilst the Chinese have a long tradition of using Zitan wood for furniture for their emperors, Zitan wood is very similar to Bois de Rose a true Rosewood that is also native to the same forest as Baroni. This now means Baroni is under the same restrictions as its close cousin Bois de Rose.

                                 I think that long term lessons need to be learnt by loggers in Madagascar to ensure that their valuable wood doesn't go the same way as Rio Rosewood. A structured planting and proper forestry management systems need to be implemented with immediate effect even if this has to be paid for by the increased cost by more expensive material costs to the end consumer. This like Indian rosewood, will ensure its long term future as well as protecting Biodiversity in Madagascar's forests. This will only come about by international and consumer pressure. If this beautiful wood is to have a secure future it must be included in the CITES list even if only in appendix 3. This will ensure monitoring is in place and assuring only suitable wood comes to market. In the mean time enjoy the the photo of one of my guitars currently being made in Madagascar rosewood. i apologize for the poor picture quality but was taken on my mobile phone in less than perfect light conditions.