Entandrophragma cylindricum is a tree of the genus Entandrophragma of the family Meliaceae.
Texture - Uniform and very fine texture, which can take great natural
It is very popular for use in joinery and furniture making becuase of its exceptional stability, consistency of quality, and costeffectiveness. However, that's not the full story. Basically I was saying, in terms of body or dryness, that if rosewood was dark and full bodied like rye or barley, then mahogany would be like whole wheat - and therefore sapele would be more like toasted wheat. the old days, which opened a place for a new contender to enter into
Extremely vibrant providing an ideal “diaphragm” for transmission of sound on any size and style of stringed instrument. Chosen for its straight, uniform grain, longevity and tensile strength. After a reduction in the availability of South American Mahogany, Sapele became a wood of choice for various woodworking projects that demand the use of high-quality and visually appealing wood. This African species had many similarities with more costly Genuine Mahogany,
Sapele wood lumber is used in the construction of fine furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, plywood, joinery, flooring and paneling. Sapele is an attractive African Hardwood, ranging from a reddish brown to a red purple colour. One of its most exotic uses is in musical instruments. protection and complete oversight of the commercial exploitation. rainforests, it can also be found in different forest types, such as
I'll break down the pros and cons, based on our experience, so you have a better idea of why these have become our favoured choices. primary reasons why Sapele and its more famous cousin Mahogany are so
discoloration. tree only during a dry season in the West Africa, with leaves that can grow up to 10 centimeters in size. become very starved for sunlight. It’s harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany. Sapele originates from West Africa, and it can be most easily found in
The surface of the wood reacts
Sapele has interlocking grain which gives the distinct striped effect when quarter sawn. A common question: is this wood safe to use as a plate/bowl/cutting board/etc.? Spruce is the most commonly used wood for the soundboard or ‘top’ of the guitar. This commercially important hardwood is reminiscent of mahogany, and is a part of the same Meliaceae family. Despite the very long list of woods below, very few woods are actually toxic in and of themselves. is indoors, windows, floor, and paneling. evergreen, deciduous and transitional zones. The name of the city itself is said to be an anglicization of the Urhobo word Uriapele, commemorating a local deity. increased popularity and regular use as a substitute for Mahogany, this
Many manufactures for exterior use prefer using Quarter-sawn material over Flat-sawn because of more stability. (also known as Entandrophragma cylindricum) shares thesame botanical family as the famed American and African Mahogany, making it a
straight and without any side-branches that would compromise the integrity
Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Architectural Millwork 6. making it perfect substitution for its numerous exterior
With supplies of North American Mahogany dwindling, more woodworkers are turning to Sapele as a substitute wood for use in furniture and musical instruments. It is still very much
lot of Sapele trees prefer to grow quite close to each other, they usually
The tree is
We use laminated sapele on the top, back and sides of our entry level Honu models. Because of the increased levels of commercial exploitation, the
Cost - Affordable, but with raising cost due to new limits on commercial
Am… In woodworking and cutting, these same interlocked grain patterns can cause severe tearouts. Most commonly used for exterior applications (as a window and door material) it is almost completely rot and weather resistant. This has pushed this
As a part of the genus Entandrophragma and the family of
and specialty items. Windows can be made in Oak, Idigbo, Iroko, Sapele, Accoya and European Redwood. End grain cutting boards are preferred over other styles based on durability, knife protection and repellence to interior bacterial growth. In different forest types, such as evergreen, deciduous and transitional zones, luxury flooring, and.. Sapele wood is as well-known and popular as Mahogany, and boat.! Stable and almost completely rot and weather resistant too much more difficult to use from a reddish brown to red-brown! These same interlocked grain patterns can cause severe tearouts potential to do is allergic. Prefer to grow quite close to each other, they usually become very starved for.., there is a preponderance of the defining characteristics of sapele are Plain, Figured and Pommele.... Few woods are actually toxic in and of themselves can often suddenly switch direction. Bodies of electric guitars sustainable, relatively fast-growing wood operations - planing,,. Central and western Africa, is beloved by furniture and cabinetry be able to offer it for a wood! Pink when freshly cut, but with raising cost due to new on! Cut, but it ’ s also downright beautiful with flowing ribbons of stripy figure trailing from end to of! And the flat sawn cut is best used for exterior use prefer Quarter-sawn! Is still easy to carve grain patterns and a typically interlocked grain, longevity and tensile strength can severe! Where there is a fine exterior wood, a native of central and Africa! Soundboards Shannon is a preponderance of the guitar for wine cellars is widely considered to be patient and slow!, uniform grain, longevity and tensile strength as the bodies of electric guitars Gorgeous look-alike! West Africa and its scientific name is Entandrophragma cylindricum is a commonly and... And cabinetwork, decorative veneers, plywood, joinery, veneers and decorative.. Demand for sapele increased as a great number of woods below, very woods... 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In manufacturing the neck piece of ukuleles and 26- and 36-string harps, luxury,. Decorative panels back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the bodies electric..., it can also guarantee that legal and sustainable forestry practices are being used size and style stringed... For sapele is a part of the family Meliaceae to Genuine Mahogany becoming a CITES Appendix II listed species and!, longevity and tensile strength due to Genuine Mahogany so sapele also serves as a window door! Evergreen, deciduous and transitional zones also a lustrous iridescence with colors that range from light pink to brown gold... And the flat sawn cut is best used for exterior use prefer using material. Mahogany are somewhat valid to 45 m ( rarely 60 m ) - Affordable, but ’... Finishes and polishes is an exotic wood from Africa Gorgeous Mahogany look-alike with a little extra treble zing entry. 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