Ovangkol
Ovangkol goes by more names than almost any other wood — Shedua, Amazique, Mozambique, Ovangkol — all the same species, all the same beautiful striped African hardwood. Guitar builders know it well: it's widely used as a back-and-sides alternative to rosewood, with a similar tonal character and better CITES standing. The silica content dulls tools faster than you expect, but the results are worth the extra sharpening.
- Not accounting for silica — budget extra tool changes; pushing dull tools through silica-bearing wood causes burning and rough surfaces
- Getting confused by the naming — Amazique, Mozambique, Shedua, and Ovangkol are all the same wood; verify by species name (Guibourtia ehie)
- Working with freshly-delivered wet stock in a closed shop — the wet odor is genuinely unpleasant; let it acclimate with ventilation
Yellowish to reddish brown heartwood with darker brown, gray, or black stripes. Sometimes seen with curly or mottled figure. Pale yellow sapwood is clearly demarcated.
Fairly easy to work, though silica content dulls cutting edges prematurely — sharpen or change tooling more often than you would with silica-free species. Interlocked grain causes tearout during machining. Turns, glues, and finishes well. Has a strong unpleasant odor when wet/freshly cut that disappears once dry.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Regional / select dealers |
| Europe | Regional / select dealers |
| South America | Specialty importers only |
| Africa / Middle East | Regional / select dealers |
| Southeast Asia | Specialty importers only |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |