Iroko

A large West African timber, sold as African teak or as a mahogany substitute, most often seen in joinery and boats.

It comes from Milicia excelsa and related trees, grows to a great size and is widely available, which is why it is used for everything from window frames to worktops. It is durable and rot-resistant and works reasonably well, although its interlocked grain tears easily and the dust is a proven respiratory sensitiser. In guitars it is commonly described as sitting in the mahogany family but drier and less complex, with a firm bottom and a slightly hollow middle. Weight and coarse grain keep it at the budget end, where it is normally hidden under an opaque finish.

Example: A budget body in iroko sounds close enough to mahogany plugged in, though it is heavier and its open grain must be filled before a gloss finish.

typical use: Budget solid bodies, and occasionally necks.

Iroko

See also