The wood species used for your Martin guitar's back and sides can mean the difference between a $5,000 instrument and a $50,000 treasure. For Martin guitars, the distinction between Brazilian rosewood and East Indian rosewood represents one of the most significant value factors in vintage guitar collecting.

Understanding this difference isn't just academic—it's essential for anyone considering selling a Martin guitar, evaluating an inheritance, or making a significant purchase. A pre-1970 Martin D-28 with confirmed Brazilian rosewood can command 25-50% higher prices than an identical instrument with East Indian rosewood.

This comprehensive guide will teach you to identify wood species on Martin guitars, understand the historical context behind the transition, and recognize when professional authentication is necessary.

The Historical Context: Why Wood Species Matters

Martin's Brazilian Rosewood Era (1833-1969)

Martin Guitar Company used Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) as their premium back and side wood for over 135 years, from the company's founding in 1833 through 1969. This wasn't a marketing decision—Brazilian rosewood offered superior tonal qualities, workability, and visual appeal that made it the choice for fine furniture and musical instruments worldwide.

During Martin's golden age (1930s-1960s), Brazilian rosewood was abundant and relatively affordable. A 1959 D-28 with Brazilian rosewood back and sides represented standard production, not a premium upgrade. This accessibility ended abruptly in 1969 when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) placed severe restrictions on Brazilian rosewood exports.

The Transition Period (1969-1970)

The transition from Brazilian to East Indian rosewood wasn't immediate. Martin had existing Brazilian rosewood stock that carried them into 1970, and some guitars from this transition period may contain wood from both species. Additionally, repair work and custom orders occasionally featured Brazilian rosewood into the early 1970s.

This transition period creates authentication challenges, as serial numbers from 1969-1971 don't definitively indicate wood species. Physical examination becomes crucial for accurate identification.

East Indian Rosewood Era (1970-Present)

Beginning in 1970, Martin transitioned to East Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) as their standard rosewood species. While East Indian rosewood is an excellent tonewood with its own distinct characteristics, it lacks the rarity and tonal complexity that makes Brazilian rosewood so prized.

Modern Martin guitars occasionally feature Brazilian rosewood on special limited editions, but these instruments are explicitly labeled and command premium prices when new.

Visual Identification: Key Differences

Brazilian Rosewood Characteristics

Color Palette: Brazilian rosewood exhibits a distinctive color range from chocolate brown to deep purple-black, often with dramatic color variation within the same piece. The wood frequently displays:

• Rich chocolate brown base color

• Purple, black, and reddish streaks

• Dramatic color contrasts within individual pieces

• Natural oils that create a lustrous appearance even under matte finishes

Grain Patterns: The grain patterns in Brazilian rosewood are typically more dramatic and varied than East Indian:

• Tight, interlocked grain structure

• Dramatic figure including tiger stripe, spider webbing, and flame patterns

• High contrast between dark and light grain lines

• Often displays chatoyancy (optical phenomenon creating shifting light patterns)

Texture and Density: Brazilian rosewood feels different to the touch:

• Notably dense and heavy

• Smooth texture with natural oils present

• Fine, tight pore structure

• Often slightly oily feel even on finished surfaces

East Indian Rosewood Characteristics

Color Palette: East Indian rosewood generally displays more uniform coloring:

• Consistent brown coloration throughout

• Less dramatic color variation within pieces

• Reddish-brown to golden-brown base colors

• Lacks the purple and deep black streaks common in Brazilian

Grain Patterns: East Indian rosewood grain is typically more uniform:

• Straighter, more predictable grain patterns

• Less dramatic figure and contrast

• More consistent coloring between grain lines

• Seldom displays the extreme figuring seen in Brazilian

Texture and Density: East Indian rosewood has different physical properties:

• Lighter weight than Brazilian rosewood

• Slightly more open pore structure

• Less natural oil content

• Drier feel compared to Brazilian rosewood's natural oils

Detailed Identification Methods

The Scent Test

One reliable identification method involves the wood's natural scent, though this requires careful application:

Brazilian Rosewood:

• Distinctive sweet, complex fragrance

• Often described as having hints of vanilla or spice

• Scent remains detectable even on finished guitars

• More pronounced when wood is disturbed (such as during humidity changes)

East Indian Rosewood:

• More neutral, woody scent

• Lacks the complex aromatic qualities of Brazilian

• May have slight dusty or earthy smell

• Generally less aromatic overall

Testing Method: Gently breathe near the guitar's sound hole or any unfinished areas. The natural wood scent should be detectable without disturbing the instrument's finish.

Visual Analysis Under Different Lighting

Examination Technique: View the guitar's back and sides under various lighting conditions:

1. Natural daylight: Provides most accurate color representation

2. Incandescent lighting: May enhance warm tones and figure

3. LED lighting: Offers consistent illumination for detailed examination

4. Raking light: Light at shallow angle reveals grain texture and depth

Brazilian Rosewood Under Light:

• Dramatic color shifts as viewing angle changes

• Deep luster even through finish

• Figure appears three-dimensional

• Color may appear to shift from brown to purple to black

East Indian Rosewood Under Light:

• More consistent appearance across lighting conditions

• Less dramatic figure and depth

• Generally uniform brown coloration

• Minimal color shifting with viewing angle changes

Weight and Density Assessment

Brazilian Rosewood:

• Noticeably heavier for same guitar size

• Dense, substantial feel when handling

• Contributes to guitar's overall weight significantly

East Indian Rosewood:

• Lighter than Brazilian rosewood

• Still substantial but less dense feeling

• Weight difference may be subtle but noticeable when comparing similar guitars

Aging and Patina Characteristics

Brazilian Rosewood Aging:

• Develops rich patina over decades

• Colors often deepen and become more complex

• Natural oils continue to affect appearance

• May develop small checking or surface cracks that enhance character

East Indian Rosewood Aging:

• Ages more uniformly and predictably

• Less dramatic color development over time

• Surface remains more stable

• Develops attractive patina but less dramatic than Brazilian

Professional Authentication Methods

When Expert Analysis is Necessary

Certain situations require professional wood species identification:

High-Value Instruments: Any Martin guitar potentially worth over $15,000 should receive professional authentication. The cost of expert analysis is minimal compared to potential value differences.

Transition Period Guitars (1969-1972): Guitars from this period may contain either species regardless of serial number, making visual identification crucial.

Refinished Instruments: Refinishing can alter wood appearance, making species identification more challenging and requiring expert examination.

Insurance or Estate Purposes: Official documentation of wood species may be required for insurance coverage or estate valuation.

Laboratory Analysis

Microscopic Examination: Professional authentication may include microscopic analysis of wood grain structure, cell patterns, and density characteristics that definitively identify species.

Chemical Analysis: Advanced authentication can include chemical testing of wood extractives that are species-specific, though this requires tiny samples and is reserved for extremely valuable instruments.

Database Comparison: Professional authenticators maintain extensive photographic databases of confirmed Brazilian and East Indian rosewood samples for visual comparison.

Market Value Implications

Price Differentials by Model and Era

D-28 Value Comparison:

• 1960s D-28 with Brazilian rosewood: $12,000-25,000

• 1970s D-28 with East Indian rosewood: $3,000-6,000

• Difference: 150-300% premium for Brazilian rosewood

OM-28 Value Comparison:

• 1930s OM-28 with Brazilian rosewood: $50,000-100,000

• 1990s OM-28 reissue with East Indian rosewood: $4,000-8,000

• Difference: Premium reflects both age and wood species

Style 45 Models: Brazilian rosewood Style 45 guitars command the highest premiums, with some examples exceeding $200,000 for pre-war instruments.

Factors Affecting Premium Value

Condition Impact: Wood species premium is most significant on instruments in excellent condition. Heavily worn or damaged guitars may see reduced premiums regardless of wood species.

Documentation Value: Confirmed Brazilian rosewood with professional authentication can command higher prices than unverified instruments, even when visual identification seems clear.

Market Trends: Brazilian rosewood premiums have increased over time as supply remains fixed while demand continues growing among collectors and players.

Common Identification Mistakes

Misleading Visual Cues

Dark East Indian Rosewood: Some East Indian rosewood can appear quite dark, leading to misidentification as Brazilian. However, the grain pattern and natural oils remain distinguishable.

Faded Brazilian Rosewood: Instruments stored in bright light may have faded Brazilian rosewood that appears lighter than typical, but underlying characteristics remain identifiable.

Finish Effects: Heavy finish buildup can obscure wood characteristics on both species, making identification more challenging.

Authentication Red Flags

Overstated Claims: Be suspicious of sellers who guarantee Brazilian rosewood without professional documentation, especially on transition-period guitars.

Price Inconsistencies: Instruments priced significantly below market value for Brazilian rosewood may indicate incorrect species identification.

Refinishing Concerns: Refinished guitars claiming Brazilian rosewood require extra scrutiny, as refinishing may attempt to obscure wood species or other authenticity issues.

Regional and Grain Variations

Brazilian Rosewood Varieties

Regional Sources: Brazilian rosewood came from different regions of Brazil, leading to natural variation in appearance and characteristics:

• Bahia region: Often darker with more purple coloration

• Rio region: May display more brown tones with dramatic figure

• Mato Grosso: Can show significant color variation within individual pieces

Individual Tree Variation: Even within the same tree, Brazilian rosewood can vary significantly, making each guitar unique in appearance.

East Indian Rosewood Consistency

Plantation Sources: Modern East Indian rosewood often comes from managed plantations, leading to more consistent characteristics but less dramatic figure than old-growth Brazilian rosewood.

Processing Differences: Modern kiln-drying and processing methods create more uniform East Indian rosewood than traditional air-drying methods used historically.

Conservation and Sustainability

CITES Regulations

Current Status: Brazilian rosewood remains on CITES Appendix I, severely restricting international trade. Existing instruments can be sold domestically but international shipment requires extensive documentation.

Documentation Requirements: Pre-1975 instruments with Brazilian rosewood may be eligible for CITES exemptions, but proper documentation is essential for international transport.

Sustainable Alternatives

Modern Options: Contemporary guitar makers use various sustainable alternatives that offer excellent tonal qualities:

• Madagascar rosewood: Similar characteristics to East Indian but with unique figure

• Cocobolo: Dense, oily wood with excellent acoustic properties

• Ziricote: Dramatic figure with good acoustic characteristics

Expert Authentication Services

When to Seek Professional Help

High-Stakes Situations:

• Insurance appraisals requiring species documentation

• Estate valuations with significant financial implications

• Purchase of high-value instruments requiring authentication

• Legal situations requiring expert testimony

What Professional Authentication Includes:

• Detailed photographic documentation

• Written species identification report

• Historical context and market analysis

• Condition assessment and valuation

Documentation Value

Professional authentication provides:

• Legal documentation for insurance purposes

• Market credibility for resale

• Historical documentation for posterity

• Peace of mind for significant purchases

Conclusion

Identifying Brazilian versus East Indian rosewood on Martin guitars requires understanding visual characteristics, historical context, and market implications. While visual identification is possible for most instruments, professional authentication provides definitive identification and documentation for valuable instruments.

The 25-50% value premium for Brazilian rosewood makes accurate identification crucial for anyone buying, selling, or insuring a vintage Martin guitar. When in doubt, professional authentication is a wise investment that can pay for itself many times over in accurate valuation and market confidence.

Remember that both Brazilian and East Indian rosewood produce excellent-sounding guitars—the value difference reflects rarity and collector preference rather than inherent musical superiority. Whether you own a Brazilian or East Indian rosewood Martin, you possess an instrument from one of the world's finest guitar manufacturers.

Ready to authenticate your Martin guitar's wood species? Contact our certified specialists for professional identification and valuation services.