[Jomi]

What is it about Brazilian rosewood guitars that makes them so expensive?
Do they really sound so much better?
Or is it just that the raw material is rare?
From what I've seen there is generally quite a big increase in price so there must be something about it!
I may save up and buy a toothpick made from it!

[skinnybloke]

This is a bit of a read Jomi, but it should at least partly answer your question.
http://reviews.ebay.com/Brazilian-ro...00000001231206

[eddiez152]

The problem starts with the fact they stopped allowing the cutting of the timber in many areas. Although its becoming more scarce.
Madagascar rosewood is another expensive product.

[danthelion]

Originally Posted by Jomi

What is it about Brazilian rosewood guitars that makes them so expensive?
Do they really sound so much better?
Or is it just that the raw material is rare?
From what I've seen there is generally quite a big increase in price so there must be something about it!
I may save up and buy a toothpick made from it!

1) Thought by many to be the best wood for back & sides, because it gives the best bass response & longest sustain.
2) Brazilian govt put embargo on exporting whole logs in the 1960's, decreed only milled wood could be exported (suitable for furniture but not guitar making), making it a rare & expensive wood
3) Hence usually costs approx $1,000 more for Brazilian than Indian rosewood. Many consider the woods with closest properties to Brazilian to be Indian Rosewood & Cocobolo (a kind of rosewood), but much cheaper.
4) It's called 'rosewood' because people thought it smelt like roses when freshly cut.

What I remember from reading from 'The Acoustic Guitar Guide' by Larry Sandberg.

[Jomi]

Thank you Skinnybloke,
That was a very informative site, and very interesting too!

Thank you Eddiez152,
I knew about the wood being quite rare but wasn't sure if that was the whole reason for the high price, i.e. is it really that much better (soundwise)than say Indian rosewood?
The site that Skinnybloke directed me to says that a lot depends on the type of Brazilian rosewood selected for use.

Thank you Danthelion,
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, it's tough keeping track!
I'd be really interested to hear from someone who actually owns one to see if they believe there's much of a difference