Rosewood

The timber of the Dalbergia genus and its close relatives, dense, oily and open-grained, and the traditional material for fingerboards and acoustic back and sides.

Its hardness resists the wear that string contact causes, and its natural oils mean a fingerboard needs no finish, which gives a warm, tactile feel under the fingers. On an acoustic body it produces a deep, complex voice with a strong low end and a long sustain, which is why it remains the reference sound for fingerstyle instruments. Most of the species are subject to international trade controls.

Example: a rosewood fingerboard feels slightly softer and more forgiving under the hand than a maple one, and needs no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning.

typical use: Fretboards, acoustic backs and sides, and bridges.

Rosewood

See also