Stenzel 2008 Spruce/African Rosewood

[rojarosguitar]

I just became aware that a 2008 Spruce/African Rosewood made by Sebastian Stenzel is for sale at Guitar Salon Int. (look it up directly there, no direct links permitted)

It's a great sounding and beautiful guitar . If you're looking for a Stenzel, it's a great occasion, not to wait for 2 years.

Just wanted to let everybody know.

[bacsidoan]

What is "African Rosewood"? Bubinga or a euphimistic term created by GSI for Madagascar rosewood to deter Lacey act police? Looks like Madagascar rosewood to me.

[rojarosguitar]

What is "African Rosewood"? Bubinga or a euphimistic term created by GSI for Madagascar rosewood to deter Lacey act police? Looks like Madagascar rosewood to me.

Quite likely Madagascar; but as far as I know Sebastian Stenzel uses quite old stock of woods. He's certainly not into buying illicit wood, if that was what you wanted imply.

[bacsidoan]

What is "African Rosewood"? Bubinga or a euphimistic term created by GSI for Madagascar rosewood to deter Lacey act police? Looks like Madagascar rosewood to me.

Quite likely Madagascar; but as far as I know Sebastian Stenzel uses quite old stock of woods. He's certainly not into buying illicit wood, if that was what you wanted imply.

I did not mean to implicate Herr Stenzel of any wrongdoings. I was just expressing my jocundity over GSI's vernacular.

[Alexandru Marian]

I wonder when CSA rosewood will be added to CITES?

[Vlad Kosulin]

I wonder when CSA rosewood will be added to CITES?

Only when GSI will be sold to Gibson

[riffmeister]

I did not mean to implicate Herr Stenzel of any wrongdoings. I was just expressing my jocundity over GSI's vernacular.

I beg your pardon!

oh, wait a minute.......I just looked up those words.......never mind!

Yes, I'm pretty sure GSI uses the term "AR" to replace the more commonly used "MR" description.

And they get one Stenzel per year so unless they too are back-ordered, the wait should only be about one year.

[hyz]

Just look at the GSI site. That is very nice instrument. The grain of AR is quite same as Madagascar . The only thing that puzzle me is the unique color of the fretboard. Is that ebony? Robert, did you also play this before?
hyz

[David_Norton]

$11,500 and its all yours. Ouch.

Can't say I like the figured fingerboard, though I have no doubt that the wood is of exceptional fine quality. But my unbidden and unrehearsed first thought upon seeing it was, "That reminds me -- I wonder if it's time to change my grandson's diaper?"

[quixilver]

If I'm not wrong, African Rosewood normally refers to either Wenge or Bubinga but this one doesn't look like any of them and closer to Dalbergia Maritima a.k.a Madagascar Rosewood by its appearance. Geographically, Madagascar is very close to the Africa so there's probably nothing wrong about the terms. On the more extreme side, they were probably called as an Indian Rosewood since according to Wikipedia, Madagascar split from India around 88 million years ago... Oh, well

[yenomon]

Just look at the GSI site. That is very nice instrument. The grain of AR is quite same as Madagascar . The only thing that puzzle me is the unique color of the fretboard. Is that ebony? Robert, did you also play this before?
hyz

I believe that FB is made of "macassar ebony" that usually has some unique color.

[hyz]

Just look at the GSI site. That is very nice instrument. The grain of AR is quite same as Madagascar . The only thing that puzzle me is the unique color of the fretboard. Is that ebony? Robert, did you also play this before?
hyz

I believe that FB is made of "macassar ebony" that usually has some unique color.

I see. But it is hard for me to accept FB with that kind of figured wood. Still prefer the all black ebony.
hyz

[rojarosguitar]

hyz, at least you see what you get. Often you just get a pitch black ebony that is dyed, and not necessarily of higher quality ...

[Alexandru Marian]

This dyeing process might be happening with cheap factory guitars and low quality ebony. African ebony can have all sort of streaks and patches of a grayish tint that are far from beautiful. On the other hand fine black ebony i still easily available from the good supply houses - God knows for how long.

GSI notes the FB is actually old Indian ebony, not Macassar. To my eyes it has a beautiful grain and I would use it too (for the right customer).

The back is unquestionably the already classic Madagascar rw, dalbergia baronii. Dalbergia maritima is an intense dark purple color and with finish and some oxidization (which happens pretty fast) it looks exactly like a polished eggplant, all but jet black. Another Madagascar variety is slightly less dark, turning towards brown. This might be another species, dalbergia graveana, or simply a hybrid between baronii and maritima. To my eyes these purple varieties have subtle texture/grain qualities that are very similar to the purple Indian rw sub-specie, even if they look different from a distance.

[Dofpic]

African blackwood as I understand it is a very dark(almost black) wood that is much heavier, does not float in water and is an excellent alternative to Brazilian. The Stenzel does to me look like Madagasgar. I just bought a guitar with african blackwood and it is very beautiful to look at and the sound is to die for(Im guessing this has more to do with the builder)