Pao Santos

Pau Ferro, also known as Santos Rosewood, is a popular choice in lutherie for making guitars and other stringed instruments. This wood offers an ideal balance of aesthetics, durability, and sonic qualities, making it a viable alternative to other precious woods. 

Physical Characteristics of Pau Ferro

• Density: Approximately 940 kg/m³, giving the wood a solid and resistant structure.  

• Rigidity: High, which contributes to good vibration transmission and structural stability.

• Dimensional Stability: Good, with appreciable resistance to variations in humidity and temperature, ensuring a long instrument lifespan.

• Porosity: Medium-fine, allowing smooth and detailed finishes.

• Grain: Generally straight or slightly wavy, with a fine texture that facilitates processing.

• Color: Variable, with tones ranging from light brown to dark brown, often with darker veins that add aesthetic depth.

• Figure: Can exhibit streaks and natural patterns that increase the aesthetic value of the instrument.

Acoustic Characteristics of Pau Ferro

• Timbre: Warm and balanced, with good response on mid-frequencies, offering a rich and detailed sound.

• Sustain: Medium-long, allowing prolonged notes and pleasant resonance.

• Attack: Defined and precise, ideal for musical styles that require clarity in notes.

• Resonance: Good, with a balance between sound projection and vibration control.

• Vibration Absorption: Moderate, contributing to a clear and articulate sound output.

Durability and Workability

• Durability: High, with natural resistance to wear and atmospheric agents, ensuring a long instrument life.

• Workability: Good, despite its hardness, it can be worked with precision, allowing refined details and high-quality finishes.

Conclusion

Pau Ferro is an excellent choice for luthiers and musicians looking for a wood with excellent aesthetic and acoustic properties. Its combination of durability, natural beauty, and sonic qualities makes it ideal for building high-quality stringed instruments.