Bubinga Wood is also known as African Rosewood, which is native
to tropical regions of Africa.
It has excellent strength, durability, and rot resistance ability, making
it a good choice for furniture.
There are 16 more species of Guibortia, which 13 are native to Africa.
It is a large hardwood tree species with a cylindrical trunk and a
broad, spreading crown of foliage.
Uses.
Bubinga wood is a popular choice a variety of applications.
It is an excellent choice for high-end furniture, veneer, cabinetry, flooring,
turning, and decorative objects.
It is also famous for musical instruments due to its excellent resonance
properties, making it well-suited to produce a rich, warm, and full sound.
It is used for making guitars, xylophones, and woodwinds.
Appearance.
The heartwood ranges from pinkish-red to reddish-brown, with dark purple
or black streaks running through the wood, while the sapwood is pale color.
The grain patterns in Bubinga wood can be straight or interlocked with uniform fine to
medium texture and moderate natural luster.
Workability.
Bubinga wood is easy to work with machine and hand tools but can be difficult
due to its high density and heavyweight, but using the right tools can help.
Bubinga has interlock and irregular patterns that tear out during planing.
It contains silica which can be challenging final finishing, and can also blunt tools.
Rot-resistant.
Whenever we are about to use any wood outdoor or ground contact purposes.
The first question that comes to our mind whether that wood is rot-resistant or not.
Bubinga has excellent resistance to termite, and marine borer attack.
Therefore it is more durable than other woods (which are not rot-resistant)
and requires low maintenance.
It is natural resistance to rot and decay is due to certain natural
chemicals and oils in the wood.
This natural oil protects it from the of fungi and bacteria that cause rot.
Sustainability.
Bubinga is considered endangered, and its trade is regulated by CITES (Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Two species (G. pellegriniana and G. tessmannii) of Bubinga have been listed
in the IUCN Red List, and the third species (G. demeusei ) is listed as near threatened.
Bubinga Wood Pros and Cons.
Although Bubinga Wood is useful and versatile, it has some limitations,
which you should know before using.
Pros.
High durability and strength:.
Bubinga wood is a very durable and strong hardwood species that require little
maintenance compared to other woods.
Appearance:.
Bubinga wood is darker reddish brown with straight grain which looks very attractive.
Easy to finish:.
The wood finishes very well gives excellent results.
It’s easy to stain paint and holds up well.
Rot-resistant:.
Bubinga is naturally resistant to rot and insects, thus increasing the durability
of the wood when used outdoors.
Cons.
Expensive:.
Bubinga is costly, especially high-quality, large pieces.
Hard to work:.
Bubinga is a high-density hardwood, it challenging to work with.
Where can I find Bubinga Wood?
Generally, Bubinga lumber can be found lumber retailers, yards, and online.
However, sourcing bubinga wood can challenging due to its endangered status.
Since it is native to Africa, it is more likely to be found in Africa.
Is Bubinga Wood Good For Guitars?
Yes, Bubinga is excellent for guitar of its strong tone and appearance.
The wood selection for a guitar or any musical instrument depends on
many factors, such as the wood’s tone, weight, and appearance.
Some musicians may prefer the warm and mellow tones of mahogany or
maple’s bright and crisp sound, so it depends on you what tone you like.
Why is Bubinga Wood So Expensive?
Bubinga is expensive because it is rare and valuable wood species.
Bubinga trees are found in a limited area of central and west Africa, which makes them
relatively rare and difficult to obtain.
Due to the excellent quality of its demand is always very high.
Another primary reason is the export charge timber from Africa to other countries.
Is Bubinga Wood Toxic?
Bubinga wood is not considered toxic but has reported to cause skin and eye irritation.
Working with Bubinga can problematic for asthma patients.
Therefore, it is essential to take proper safety precautions when working with any
wood species, such as wearing a mask and covering the exposed parts of your body.
It’s also essential to ensure the wood been treated with toxic chemicals.
If so, be careful while working.