Scientific name: Khaya ivorensis
Origin: West tropical Africa
Other names: Acajou, Caoba Africana, Samanguila
Average density: 40lbs/ft3 – 640kg/m3
Uses: Guitar necks, heels, bodies, back and sides
The heartwood color is variable, ranging from a very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Quartersawn surfaces can also exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearance. Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Easy to work, glue and finish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked. It is considered to be a valid substitute for American Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). Some of the most popular models of electric and acoustic guitars are made using this wood.