African blackwood

An extremely dense, nearly black hardwood of the genus Dalbergia, traditionally the wood of clarinets and oboes.

It grows slowly in the dry savannah of East Africa, which is why instrument-grade lengths are scarce, expensive and increasingly hard to obtain. Its density and very fine grain mean it polishes to a hard, glassy surface that resists string wear, so it is chosen for fingerboards where feel and stability matter more than cost. It is commonly described as bright and clear with a bell-like attack and a tight low end, closer to ebony than to rosewood in character. It is heavy, hard on edge tools, prone to checking if dried carelessly, and it sits under the same international trade controls as the other dalbergia species.

Example: An instrument with an African blackwood fingerboard and bridge has an unusually hard, ringing response, which is part of why the wood is normally left unfinished.

typical use: Fretboards, bridges and, on classical guitars, backs and sides.

African blackwood

See also