Obechi

The timber of Triplochiton scleroxylon, a light African hardwood also called obeche, samba or ayous, used in inexpensive instrument construction.

It is pale, soft and easy to work, and it is most often found under a veneer or inside a laminate, where its stability and low cost matter more than its appearance or tone. It is a poor soundboard choice because it is neither stiff nor resonant, so where it appears on acoustics it is usually in the back and sides rather than the top. It also takes glue and finishes well, which is why it is a common core material in laminated panels.

Example: an inexpensive acoustic with laminated obechi back and sides survives a dry winter far better than a solid wood instrument, at the cost of a flatter sound.

typical use: Laminated acoustic backs and sides, and budget solid bodies.

Obechi

See also