Snakewood(Brosimum guianense, syn. = Piratinera guianense) is closely related to Muirapiranga/Satiné. The appearance of the wood gives it its name: in German-speaking countries the term “Schlangenholz” (snakewood) predominates, but the name “Buchstabenholz” (letterwood) is also used, analogous to “snakewood” and “letterwood” in English, and “Amourette” and “Lettre Mouchette” in French. The distribution area extends from Para, Brazil northwards via Surinam to Venezuela.
The wood has a reddish-brown basic color; partially streaked with almost black, radial zones and marked like snakeskin (“speckled”). Fine and scattered pores; if well marked, very decorative.
Density at 12% wood moisture 1.20-1.38 t/m³. Highly shrinking, extremely dense and hard. Difficult to dry, strong tendency to crack. Planed surfaces shiny and with a horny hardness. Difficult to machine, but easy to polish.
The modulus of elasticity at 12% wood moisture is approx. 19,000 N/mm2 and above. Snakewood is extremely hard and therefore abrasion-resistant.
String bow making, turner’s wood, special wood in wind instrument making.
| References: |
Fingerboard, AFJ Guitars, Spain |
| Sources: |
GOTTWALD (1970): Wood identification of the most important commercial woods RICHTER (1988): Wood as a raw material for making musical instruments |
Note: according to the latest findings, but excluding any liability
Snakewood fingerboard
Fingerboard of Snakewood
AFJ Guitars, Spain
www.afjguitars.com
