Bubinga

Family: Fabaceae - Order: Fabales - Class: Magnoliopsida
Scientific name: Guibourtia tessmannii / Guibourtia demeusei /  Guibourtia pellegriniana

Trade name: Bubinga, African Rosewood

Also known as Kevazingo, Akume, Waka and Oveng

Origin: West Africa and tropical Central Africa.

Instrumental uses: Guitar back and sides, fingerboards, bridges, Electric guitar bodies, head plates and inlays.

Tonal properties:

Very responsive and loud, dense and sustained sounding.

Very clear sound and well defined along the entire spectrum range. Can be very easy to work but also can be hard to bend depending on the grain and growth pattern of the tree.

Finishes extraordinary well.

African Rosewood / Bubinga is divided in 3 different kinds:

- Guibourtia tessmannii grows in Equatorial West Africa. Is found in dense virgin forests and also near rivers or lake shores.

The tree reaches a height of 50 m. The bole is straight, cylindrical, up to 20 m in length. The trunk diameter attains 100 to 130 cm over the buttresses.

Average dried weight 890 kg/m³

- Guibourtia pellegriniana grows from Cote d`Ivoire to Gabon. Prefers closed rain forests and transitional forests, often found in small groups.

The tree reaches a height of 32 to 50 m. The bole is straight, cylindrical, up to 23 m in length. The trunk diameter attains 70 to 100 cm over the buttresses.

Average dried weight 940 kg/m^3.

^-  Guibourtia demeusei grows in West Africa and in tropical Central Africa, along the coastal area of tropical Africa. The tree reaches a height of 25 to 30 m. The bole is irregular, up to 20 m in length. The trunk diameter attains 100 cm and is usually buttressed.

Average dried weight 1070 kg/m^3.

In general all are stiff and also very resistant with an interlocked grain.

Figured parts such as pommele, flamed, waterfall, quilted or mottled can occur during several growing circumstances. 

CITES status is protected under the Appendix II. Is not reported on the IUCN Red List.