Bubinga

richardp69 · Jul 16, 2020

I've never owned an acoustic with Bubinga back and sides. Looking at one now (not a Guild) with quilted Bubunga B&S and A top.

Anyone have any thoughts out there whether it sounds anything like the more traditional tonewoods or is it a unique type sound/tone???

Antney · Jul 16, 2020

my uncle in Sicily had one and really liked it as I recall...no wait, it was a badda boom baddabinga back and sides. Sorry, no help here

richardp69 · Jul 16, 2020

Ya'll were zero help!!! So, I just bought it. The heck with ya'll.

davismanLV · Jul 16, 2020

Well now you can educate US about Bub b b b inga, okay? It's hard, it's heavy, if it's unfinished you need to be careful because it's full of silica and dulls your tools SUPER fast and can cause serious lung and skin problems. But made into a guitar it should be safe!! Can't wait to see......

GGJaguar · Jul 16, 2020

I know McPherson made more than a few with bubinga. Oh, and it's fun to say bubinga. Boo-bing-gah

Stuball48 · Jul 16, 2020

It will make yor eyeballs sweat, Richard.

SFIV1967 · Jul 17, 2020

richardp69 said:
Anyone have any thoughts out there whether it sounds anything like the more traditional tonewoods or is it a unique type sound/tone???

Bubinga, scientific name: Guibourtia spp. (G. demeusei, G. pellegriniana, G. tessmannii) is from the same family of trees as is Ovangkol (Guibourtia ehie). Taylor Guitars writes about Ovangkol: "An African relative of rosewood, ovangkol shares many of rosewood’s tonal properties, including a wide spectrum from lows and highs. Differences include a slightly fuller midrange and a bright treble response resembling that of koa."

So what do others write about Bubinga:

Breedlove:
"It is a bit denser than rosewood, which may contribute to its great sustain and clarity. Provides sustain and note separation with warm even tones, bright midrange, and a sparkle across the entire spectrum. Harder and heavier than both Brazilian and Indian rosewood. Medium texture with interlocking grain, its pinkish coloration oxidizes to a brownish red over time and often features a beautiful swirling grain pattern. Bubinga is a famous type of tonewood that guitar makers have used for many years."

Dean Guitars:
"This African wood has a rich sound with warm even tones and a brilliant sparkle across its entire sonic range."

Guitar Bench Magazine:
"Bubinga has also been called African Rosewood which is a fair description of the tone although it is not yet used very extensively due to the difficulties faced with bending it. It is hard, heavy and dense. The interlocking grain, which makes the wood so attractive, also make for an exciting time at the bending iron. This wood can resist you with a stubborn determination. A good night's sleep is essential before bending. The sound is so close to rosewood, that Bubinga well earns its nickname of "African Rosewood". That overtone structure one hears with rosewood is equally present in Bubinga, and yet at a reduced price tag. If one wanted a guitar with a traditional sound, but with more visual drama than Indian rosewood, Bubinga should definitely be considered. I would classify this wood as providing a slightly dark and woody overtone content with a low to mid end predominance- much like Indian Rosewood."

Martin built with Bubinga as well:

Ralf

richardp69 · Jul 17, 2020

Thanks Ralf. Now, that is helpful (as usual)

richardp69 · Jul 20, 2020

Well, my new Bubinga guitar arrived today and it is truly a stunner. Although the pic above of the McPherson is far better than what i can take, it actually looks a lot like that, I thought my days of falling head over heels in love were long past but they may have just been rekindled.

Here's a couple pics. Trust me, it looks much better in person.

GGJaguar · Jul 20, 2020

Wow, that's stunning! I like the contrast with the dark wood binding. Congrats!

davismanLV · Jul 20, 2020

That's beautiful, Richard!! What brand guitar is it again?? Or did you ever say......

walrus · Jul 20, 2020

Wow! That is really unique! Congratulations!

walrus

F312 · Jul 20, 2020

Good 'in.

Ralph

richardp69 · Jul 20, 2020

davismanLV said:
That's beautiful, Richard!! What brand guitar is it again?? Or did you ever say......

No, I never did say. I am very protective of my guitars and I've seen some of the negativity associated with non Guild brands here on the forum. Some justified, some not. My new guitar is at a very impressionable age and can be easily scarred and damaged by nasty comments so I feel it is my job to protect her until she gets a few more years on her.

Ah, what the hell, she has to grow up sometime. It is a 2008 Martin D 42 HQ Bubinga.

Stuball48 · Jul 20, 2020

Richard:
You deserve that guitar and I have never seen one in any music store in Nashville. Unique guitar fir you neek person. Congratulations!

davismanLV · Jul 20, 2020

Did Stuball just call you "you neek"??

richardp69 · Jul 20, 2020

Yeah, I think it's a Tennessee thing.

Stuball48 · Jul 20, 2020

Veer
It is how we catch unique rabbits in Tennessee, "we neek up on 'em."

twocorgis · Jul 20, 2020

richardp69 said:
No, I never did say. I am very protective of my guitars and I've seen some of the negativity associated with non Guild brands here on the forum. Some justified, some not. My new guitar is at a very impressionable age and can be easily scarred and damaged by nasty comments so I feel it is my job to protect her until she gets a few more years on her.

Ah, what the hell, she has to grow up sometime. It is a 2008 Martin D 42 HQ Bubinga.

No Martin hate here Richard, and wow, 1 of 17? Play it in good health!

GGJaguar · Jul 20, 2020

richardp69 said:
It is a 2008 Martin D 42 HQ Bubinga.

What does the "HQ" denote (besides high quality)?

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