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Australian Blackwood (Acacia Melanoxylon)

 The mainstay of many Australian makers, myself included.  Very similar to Koa, some logs highly figured.
Blackwoods are small fast growing trees that spring up everywhere in open ground in my part of the world. Even though they are very common they don't often grow very big, or get very old, so getting mill-able wood from them can be tricky. Rarer still are the highly figured logs, which can be incredibly beautiful.

Dry density aprox 640kg/m3

 

Queensland Silky Oak (Cardwellia sublimis)

  Lightweight and fairly soft, Silky oak is figured by very prominent rays which to my eye, are best when cut just off the quarter. Gives a warm mahogany like sound. A stable timber but not strong and takes dents easily.

Dry density aprox 550kg/m3

 

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Rose mahogany, NSW Rosewood (Dysoxylum fraseranum)

  Now scarce, this aromatic timber is a bit harder and heavier than mahogany with a similar fine interlocking grain. The deep cherry colour is very even as is the grain. Makes beautiful guitars when I can get it.

Dry density aprox 720kg/m3

 

Mountain Ash, aka Victorian Ash,. (Eucalyptus regnans)

  I think Vic Ash is one of my favourite Australian tonewoods, along with Blackwood and W A Sheoak. I like to use Blackwood and Vic Ash partly because they grow locally to me and I like the idea of using wood from my area. Mainly I like them because they work really well as tonewoods. 
The Ash is a similar density to Blackwood, however in guitars I find it has a feel of a lighter wood, perhaps because its so strong. I use it often for necks and find it very reliable. 
As back and sides it sounds great and is very stable (most Eucalypts I've tried have not been stable enough with changes in humidity)

 Unlike Blackwood, Ash are massive trees, that can live to a great age.

Dry density aprox 680kg/m3

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Western Australian Sheoak (Casuarina fraserani)

  A bit lighter than the eastern casuarinas although still very substantial. Very large ray figure, typical of the sheoaks and rich colour. It has a hard surface and I find it makes fine instruments. Can be used for fretboards but I prefer Bull oak (Casuarina luehmannii) for this purpose

Dry density aprox 720kg/m3 (bull oak 1050kg/m3)

 

Super hard Acacias for fretboards include

Gidgee (A.cambagei) ADD 1330kg/m3

Mulga (A.aneura) ADD1200kg/m3

Myall(A.pendula) ADD 1100kg/m3

Brigalow(A.harpophylla) ADD 950kg/m3

 

 

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