Spotlight On: Sapele
SPECIES: Entandrophragma cylindricum
ORIGIN: West Africa
COMMON APPLICATIONS: Musical instruments, furniture, cabinetwork and decorative moldings, carvings, flooring, and door and window applications.
CHARACTERISTICS/APPEARANCE: Sapele heartwood is golden to a dark-reddish brown with a medium texture and high luster. Sapele contains an interlocking grain that produces light and dark ribbon stripes throughout the boards and is also found in a wide variety of other figured grain patterns. Sapele finishes well, with good gluing and nailing properties. It stains well and is suited to a variety of finishes retaining its color over time.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 1510 lbf (see chart on page 15)
COMMENTS: Sapele is most often used as a window and door material because it is so stable and very rot and weather resistant. The grain and pore structure is tight, making it a great substrate for painted surfaces as well. Among its more exotic uses is that in guitar manufacturing, in the top, back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies as well as the tops of electric guitar bodies.
Fabrizio Corte (left) and Jason Bunn load the Sapele wood needed for the table. All wood came from the same log.
Frequently asked questions
What figured grain patterns does Sapele produce due to its interlocking grain?+
Sapele's interlocking grain produces light and dark ribbon stripes throughout the boards, and it is also found in a wide variety of other figured grain patterns.
Why is Sapele a good substrate for painted surfaces?+
Sapele has a tight grain and pore structure, which makes it a great substrate for painted surfaces.
How is Sapele used in guitar manufacturing?+
Sapele is used in the top, back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the tops of electric guitar bodies.
How does Sapele perform with finishes and stains?+
Sapele finishes well with good gluing and nailing properties, stains well, and is suited to a variety of finishes while retaining its color over time.
Who loaded the Sapele wood for the table project referenced in the article?+
Fabrizio Corte and Jason Bunn loaded the Sapele wood needed for the table, with all the wood coming from the same log.