South American Hardwoods

Morado

Morado is a tree found in Brazil and Bolivia. Its wood is often used for making fingerboards for electric basses and guitars. It has a similar feel and similar tonal attributes to rosewood, but is harder and has a slightly lighter colour. The wood may also be used for flooring, fancy furniture, and handgun grips. It is also known by the names palo santos, caviuna, Brazilian ironwood, and Bolivian rosewood, though it is not actually rosewood.

In guitar making, Morado is not only used for fingerboards or bridges but also can be used for the back and sides of the acoustic guitar. Although similar in many ways to rosewood, Morado has slightly different tonal qualities, with coloration from coffee brown to yellow brown and purple.