Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 How does Cocobolo sound in comparison to Indian Rosewood, as a back/side wood with a Sitka Spruce top? I looking at a few guitars, including a Taylor 810-CE and an 810-CE Ltd with Cocobolo back/sides. I think I'd rather have an 814 because of the body shape, but I found a decent deal on the Ltd. Although, I'm not sure If I'd like the 10 body...it might be too boomy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members brahmz118 Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 I really like cocobolo. Well, I really like the look of it. And it's fun to say. The guy who custom built my banjo spoke highly of it -- he said it's one of the more stable woods in terms of resisting humidity, temperature change, etc. But the only cocobolo parts on my banjo are the fingerboard and armrest, so I don't know much about its tonal properties. Chris Bozung of CB guitars seems to like it as well: http://www.cbguitars.com/woods.htm "Cocobolo is probably closer in tone, color and figure to the finest-grade Brazilian Rosewood used on the classic guitars of yesteryear than any tone wood available today, and for far less money than the inferior-quality Brazilian currently available. Cocobolo offers everything Brazilian Rosewood offers, and more: increased power, increased sustain, increased volume, along with beauty of color and figure not available in Brazilian Rosewood for years. For the player seeking to capture the sound and beauty of the finest Brazilian Rosewood from the '40s and '50s, with the added benefits of greater power and sweeter tone, Cocobolo is hard to beat. I consider Cocobolo to be superior in every way to the currently-available Brazilian Rosewood, and with about one-third to one-tenth of the cost of Brazilian, Cocobolo is a real bargain. I cannot recommend this excellent tone wood highly enough." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 All I know about cocobolo is that it's beautiful. Haven't had any exposure to its sounds. Here's what LMI has to say about it: http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=+Backs+and+Sides&NameProdHeader=Cocobolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 interesting reads, thanks. Anybody have any experience with it first hand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cldplytkmn Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 no real experience with it first hand... but just wanted to chip in that you need not worry about any taylor being boomy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bjorn-fjord Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 I have built a few Cocobolo guitars. Now I must qualify the following statements by saying that I personally don't think back and side wood contributes nearly as much to the sound of a guitar as most people seem to think. If such things could be quantified, I'd say that back and sides maybe contribute 10-15% to a guitar's sound. And the difference between the various species of rosewoods is minimal at best. Cocobolo is the same species (Dalbergia) as Brazilian, Indian, Honduran, Camatillo, and Madagascar rosewoods. If I was pressed to say what I think the difference between Cocobolo and the other rosewoods I would say that it falls somewhere in between Brazilian and Indian. It seems to impart that sort of "glassy" tone as Brazilian though a little less so. It's definitely more stable that the Brazilian that is available these days. Compared to Indian, I would say it produces a more "pure" tone with less of the darker overtones. From a woodworker's perspective, Cocobolo is VERY oily. It destroys sandpaper very quickly and must be glued with a special epoxy. Cocobolo bridges make me very nervous. But we're talking very minimal differences based on the wood I have personally worked with, so please keep in mind that my sample is very small. As with all woods of the same species, there is going to be overlap in the characteristics due to natural variations in the wood. All of these woods vary somewhat in their physical properties to the point where these comparisons become nothing more than broad, and sometimes inaccurate, generalizations. So, if you find there to be a difference between the sound of a Cocobolo guitar and an Indian rosewood guitar, chances are pretty good that it has much more to do with other factors than the particular variety of rosewood. Buy the one you like more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 I have built a few Cocobolo guitars. Now I must qualify the following statements by saying that I personally don't think back and side wood contributes nearly as much to the sound of a guitar as most people seem to think. If such things could be quantified, I'd say that back and sides maybe contribute 10-15% to a guitar's sound. And the difference between the various species of rosewoods is minimal at best. Cocobolo is the same species (Dalbergia) as Brazilian, Indian, Honduran, Camatillo, and Madagascar rosewoods. If I was pressed to say what I think the difference between Cocobolo and the other rosewoods I would say that it falls somewhere in between Brazilian and Indian. It seems to impart that sort of "glassy" tone as Brazilian though a little less so. It's definitely more stable that the Brazilian that is available these days. Compared to Indian, I would say it produces a more "pure" tone with less of the darker overtones. From a woodworker's perspective, Cocobolo is VERY oily. It destroys sandpaper very quickly and must be glued with a special epoxy. Cocobolo bridges make me very nervous. But we're talking very minimal differences based on the wood I have personally worked with, so please keep in mind that my sample is very small. As with all woods of the same species, there is going to be overlap in the characteristics due to natural variations in the wood. All of these woods vary somewhat in their physical properties to the point where these comparisons become nothing more than broad, and sometimes inaccurate, generalizations. So, if you find there to be a difference between the sound of a Cocobolo guitar and an Indian rosewood guitar, chances are pretty good that it has much more to do with other factors than the particular variety of rosewood. Buy the one you like more. Thanks for the insights. And that is a beautiful looking guitar. Is it one you built? Any more pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 no real experience with it first hand... but just wanted to chip in that you need not worry about any taylor being boomy I'd say the 410-CE I used to own was on the boomy side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bjorn-fjord Posted February 12, 2007 Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thanks for the insights. And that is a beautiful looking guitar. Is it one you built? Any more pics? Thanks! Yes it's a parlour from a few years ago. Cocobolo back and sides with an Engelmann Spruce soundboard. The only other digital pic I have is this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 12, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2007 Basically, I'm torn between a stunning Taylor 810-CE Ltd Cocobolo/Sitka Spruce or spending $700 more for a used Santa Cruz OM Rosewood/Spruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GrandStation76 Posted February 13, 2007 Members Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks! Yes it's a parlour from a few years ago. Cocobolo back and sides with an Engelmann Spruce soundboard. The only other digital pic I have is this: Man Bjorn! That is one hot looking guitar! Do you have a web site? How much would something like that go for? The Diamond should be your trade mark:thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bjorn-fjord Posted February 14, 2007 Members Share Posted February 14, 2007 Man Bjorn! That is one hot looking guitar! Do you have a web site? How much would something like that go for? The Diamond should be your trade mark:thu: Hey thanks, GrandStation!Check your user CP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FourT6and2 Posted February 14, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 14, 2007 I'd like to know if you sell them as well...why don't you shoot me a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Capp Posted September 4, 2019 Members Share Posted September 4, 2019 I have a '67 Martin D28 BWR, a -73 Martin D41 EIRW, both of those have spruce tops, and a 2000 Santa Cruz OM with cocobolo back and sides and a gorgeous german spruce top. The '67 is deep and rich. The '73 is more balanced, yet still sounds better on the lower strings. The '00 Santa Cruz is the finest guitar I have ever played. It's perfect. In MY experience, with these particular, individual guitars, cocobolo RULES. Or maybe Richard Hoover is just a brilliant builder. Or both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SteinbergerHack Posted September 4, 2019 Members Share Posted September 4, 2019 On 2/12/2007 at 12:30 PM, FourT6and2 said: Basically, I'm torn between a stunning Taylor 810-CE Ltd Cocobolo/Sitka Spruce or spending $700 more for a used Santa Cruz OM Rosewood/Spruce. My 814CE feels better to me than the Santa Cruz' that I've played, but others may disagree - and in any case, both will be very nice instruments. From my experience, I would say that the build method differences between Taylor and SC will have a bigger impact than the wood (particularly so if the 810 is the new V-Braced version). Play 'em both and the differences should be obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 5, 2019 Members Share Posted September 5, 2019 I realize this is an ancient thread but since its been resurrected I thought I would show off. I had a piece of coco sitting in my wood room for several years, finally last year I decided to build something out if it. Ended up with a cedar and cocobolo OM which has moved into my favorite guitar category (however I still play the others). I don't think the coco is particularly special as far as contributing to the sound but it sure is purdy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neal Posted September 7, 2019 Members Share Posted September 7, 2019 It’s a pretty wood, and probably good for sound, but it just looks ...fake. Brazilian rosewood has a natural look to it, well flamed. Indian as well, looks natural. Just never cared for cocobolo. Freeman, that is a beautiful back, good looking wood too. But there’s a look about rosewoods that this doesn’t hold a candle to, and probably one of the reasons CITES is important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nabisco Posted September 10, 2019 Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 On 9/5/2019 at 12:40 PM, Freeman Keller said: I realize this is an ancient thread but since its been resurrected I thought I would show off. I had a piece of coco sitting in my wood room for several years, finally last year I decided to build something out if it. Ended up with a cedar and cocobolo OM which has moved into my favorite guitar category (however I still play the others). I don't think the coco is particularly special as far as contributing to the sound but it sure is purdy Wow! That is really beautiful. I wish I could hear it, or better yet, play it! Beautiful work as always, Freeman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted September 12, 2019 Members Share Posted September 12, 2019 I give the resuscitator of this zombie thread credit. I wouldn’t have been able to find it with the recent changes. As for cocobolo, my tastes have changed. Give me ebony instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 27 minutes ago, kwakatak said: I give the resuscitator of this zombie thread credit. I wouldn’t have been able to find it with the recent changes. Actually, it should be much easier to find things here on the new site since the search function actually works here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.