Are they the same thing? Did most people refer to African blackwood as “ebony” at some point? Why has the term “ebony” fallen out of use?
If anyone can clarify, I’d be grateful!
Cara
“African blackwood” usually means grenadilla, a small, heavily branched tree in the rosewood family. Dalbergia malanoxylon is the scientific name. It’s widely distributed in Africa, growing under a wide range of conditions but most common in mixed deciduous forests and savannas along the coasts.
Ebony is a different wood altogether, in the genus Diospyros. It was sometimes used in the past for flutes, but I don’t know of anyone who uses it for flutes nowadays.
There are several types of wood called ebony (and yes, some people refer to grenadilla as ebony, confusing things further). Among the woods commonly called ebony are Diospyros ebenum, Diospyros mespiliformis, Diospyros crassiflora, and Diospyros celebica.
[ This Message was edited by: bradhurley on 2003-02-17 11:19 ]
I have a B-flat fife made of ebony.
It is a lovely wood, with a silvery-colored grain barely visible in a jet-black wood.
As noted though, it is not blackwood.
Blackwood actually tends a little more to very dark brown, and has a tan-to-blood-red grain which may or may not be visible.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
Most types of ebony are poorly suited for flutes. They don’t have much intrinsic oil and tend to absorb and give off moisture quite easily. Ebony is used for fingerboards and nuts and saddles on stringed instruments.
The wood James described sounds like it may be macassar ebony. I have a whistle made from it; it started out black with a faint silver grain and seems to be darkening with age. Lovely stuff.
Yes, I have heard that ebony
flutes tend to crack.
On 2003-02-17 12:11, jim stone wrote:
Yes, I have heard that ebony
flutes tend to crack.
Perhaps of equal importance, ebony has a less-attractive tone; many poor German flutes were made from it, as well as many Pakistani flutes claiming to be blackwood. The reasons for this (the poor tone) may have to do with the qualities (low oil, etc.) listed above. There do seem to be some kinds (perhaps this Madagascar ebony) that make fair wind instruments, but not many flutes.
This is MOST helpful, thank you all.
Cara
Here are some resources for Ebony and Blackwood.
Ebony
http://www.wood-worker.com/woods/ebony.htm
http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/ebony_african.htm
Blackwood
http://www.lumber-source.com/Grenadillo.htm
http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/blackwood_african.htm