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Brazilian vs East Indian Rosewood: How to Identify Your Martin's Wood Species
Brazilian vs East Indian Rosewood on Martin Guitars: The Complete Identification & Value Guide
Last Updated: May 2026
Why Does Rosewood Species Matter on Martin Guitars?
The difference between Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) and East Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) on a vintage Martin guitar can represent a value difference of 100-300% — making wood species identification one of the most important skills in vintage acoustic guitar evaluation. Martin used Brazilian rosewood as their standard premium tonewood from the company's founding through 1969. In 1970, Martin transitioned to East Indian rosewood due to supply restrictions that would eventually become CITES international trade regulations. This single material change created a permanent value dividing line in Martin's production history.
Why identification matters:
100-300% Value Difference: A Brazilian rosewood Martin D-28 (pre-1970) typically commands 100-300% more than an equivalent Indian rosewood D-28 (1970+) in comparable condition
CITES International Restrictions: Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is listed under CITES Appendix I — the strictest international trade restriction. This affects shipping, resale, and international transactions
Tonal Differences: Brazilian rosewood produces slightly warmer, more complex harmonic content with enhanced sustain. Indian rosewood produces excellent tone but with slightly different character
Rarity Factor: No new Brazilian rosewood enters guitar production — fixed supply with increasing collector demand creates permanent scarcity premium
1969-1970 Transition Period: The transition wasn't overnight — Martin's existing Brazilian stock carried into early 1970. Some 1969-1970 guitars may contain either species, requiring physical identification rather than serial number dating alone
Affects All Rosewood Martin Models: D-28, D-35, D-45, OM-28, 000-28, 00-28 — every rosewood Martin model is affected by this species distinction
In Edgewater's experience buying vintage Martin guitars across Ohio and the Midwest, rosewood species misidentification is the single most common valuation error we encounter. Many shops and general buyers default to serial number dating (pre-1970 = Brazilian, 1970+ = Indian) without physically examining the wood — missing both the transitional period overlap AND cases where replacement backs/sides have changed the original species. We verify rosewood species through visual, tactile, and aromatic analysis on every Martin evaluation.
If you own a Martin guitar and aren't sure whether it has Brazilian or Indian rosewood, Edgewater provides free identification. Call (440) 219-3607.
How to Identify Brazilian vs East Indian Rosewood
Visual Identification (Primary Method)
Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra):
Color: Dark chocolate brown to deep purple, often with black streaking
Grain: Dramatic, varied, with striking contrast between light and dark areas
Figure: Spider-webbing, "landscape" patterns, pronounced figure common
Color Variation: Wide range within single piece — light tan to near-black
Pore Structure: Tight, dense, with visible but fine pores
Overall Impression: Rich, complex, visually dramatic — no two pieces look alike
East Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia):
Color: Medium brown to reddish-brown, more uniform
Grain: Straighter, more uniform, less dramatic contrast
Figure: Less pronounced — even grain more common than striking figure
Color Variation: Narrower range — more consistent tone throughout
Pore Structure: More open, slightly coarser
Overall Impression: Attractive but more uniform — less visual drama than Brazilian
Aromatic Test (Confirmatory Method)
Brazilian Rosewood: Sweet, distinctive, pleasant aromatic scent — often described as floral or resinous. Detectable by gently breathing near the soundhole or warming the wood slightly with hand contact.
East Indian Rosewood: Milder, less distinctive scent — present but not as pronounced or sweet as Brazilian.
How to Test: Cup your hands around the soundhole and gently breathe warm air into the body. Brazilian's distinctive sweet aroma should be noticeable. This test works best in enclosed spaces and on guitars that haven't been heavily played or exposed to smoke.
NOTE: The scent test requires experience with both species for reliable differentiation. Use as confirmatory evidence alongside visual identification, not as standalone test.
UV Fluorescence Test (Advanced Method)
Brazilian Rosewood: Fluoresces distinctively under long-wave UV (black light) — typically showing greenish or yellowish fluorescence
East Indian Rosewood: Different fluorescence characteristics under UV
Requires: Proper UV light equipment and experience interpreting results. Best performed by experienced evaluators.
Density and Tap Test (Supplementary Method)
Brazilian: Generally denser, heavier — produces slightly different tap response (brighter, more resonant)
East Indian: Slightly less dense — different tap character
NOTE: Individual pieces vary significantly — density alone cannot definitively identify species.
Serial Number Dating (Supporting Evidence)
Serial Number Range | Year | Expected Rosewood |
|---|---|---|
Pre-241000 | Before 1969 | Brazilian rosewood |
241000-256000 | 1969 (transition) | EITHER species possible |
256000-271000 | 1970 (transition) | EITHER species possible |
271000+ | 1971+ | East Indian rosewood |
CRITICAL: Serial numbers provide SUPPORTING evidence but NOT definitive identification during the 1969-1970 transition period. Physical examination essential for guitars from this era. Martin's existing Brazilian stock lasted into early 1970 — some 1970 guitars have Brazilian, some 1969 guitars may have early Indian.
Value Impact by Model
Model | Brazilian (Pre-1970) | Indian (1970+) | Approximate Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
D-28 | Premium to ultra-premium | Mid to upper-mid | 100-200% |
D-35 | Upper-mid to premium | Lower-mid to mid | 80-150% |
D-45 | Ultra-premium to extraordinary | Premium to ultra-premium | 100-250% |
OM-28 | Extraordinary | N/A (pre-1933) | N/A |
000-28 | Premium to ultra-premium | Mid to upper-mid | 100-200% |
D-18 | N/A (mahogany) | N/A (mahogany) | N/A |
Additional Value Factors Within Brazilian
Feature | Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Pre-war (Before 1946) | 50-100% additional premium | Over post-war Brazilian |
Herringbone trim | 50-150% premium | D-28 herringbone (1931-1944) |
Scalloped bracing | 30-60% premium | Pre-war and early post-war |
Adirondack spruce top | 25-40% premium | Pre-war and some early post-war |
Exceptional figure | 10-25% premium | Dramatic Brazilian grain patterns |
Common Identification Challenges
The 1969-1970 Transition Period
The Problem: Martin didn't switch species overnight. Existing Brazilian rosewood stock was used until depleted — meaning some early 1970 guitars still have Brazilian, and quality of late Brazilian stock varied.
How to Handle: Physical examination essential. Serial number alone insufficient. Some 1969 guitars with late serial numbers have Indian rosewood. Some 1970 guitars with early serial numbers have Brazilian. Only hands-on identification resolves ambiguity.
Replacement Backs and Sides
The Problem: Over 55-95 years, some Martin guitars have had backs or sides replaced due to damage. A pre-1970 serial number doesn't guarantee the current back/sides are original Brazilian — replacement Indian rosewood is common on repaired instruments.
How to Detect: Check for refinish evidence at binding/back junction, glue lines inconsistent with factory construction, wood species inconsistency between back and sides, and serial number/physical features mismatch.
Stained or Refinished Indian Rosewood
The Problem: Indian rosewood can be stained darker to visually resemble Brazilian. Refinishing can obscure natural wood characteristics.
How to Detect: Stain appears uniform without natural color variation. Brazilian's distinctive figuring patterns can't be replicated by staining. Scent test still works through most stains. UV fluorescence differs regardless of surface treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my Martin has Brazilian or Indian rosewood?
A: Visual identification is primary — Brazilian shows dramatic color variation (dark chocolate to purple with black streaking and striking figure), while Indian is more uniform (medium brown to reddish-brown with less contrast). Aromatic test confirms — Brazilian has distinctive sweet scent detectable at soundhole. Serial number provides supporting date evidence but isn't definitive during 1969-1970 transition. Professional identification recommended for high-value transactions.
Q: How much more is Brazilian rosewood worth?
A: Brazilian rosewood Martin guitars typically command 100-300% premiums over equivalent Indian rosewood models in comparable condition. Pre-war Brazilian examples with herringbone trim, scalloped bracing, and Adirondack spruce tops command the highest premiums. The premium reflects both tonal characteristics and CITES-driven permanent scarcity.
Q: When did Martin switch from Brazilian to Indian rosewood?
A: Martin transitioned in 1969-1970. Brazilian rosewood was standard through 1969, with existing Brazilian stock lasting into early 1970. Indian rosewood became standard from approximately 1970 onward. The transition wasn't overnight — 1969-1970 guitars require physical identification rather than serial number dating alone.
Q: What is CITES and how does it affect Brazilian rosewood?
A: CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) lists Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) under Appendix I — the strictest restriction. This affects international shipping and trade of instruments containing Brazilian rosewood. Domestic US sales are less restricted but documentation may be required. CITES regulations ensure no new Brazilian rosewood enters guitar production, creating permanent scarcity.
Q: Can I identify rosewood species from photos alone?
A: Sometimes — dramatic Brazilian figure is often identifiable in good photographs. However, subtle cases, stained Indian, and transitional-period guitars require hands-on examination (aromatic test, density assessment, close-up grain inspection). Professional in-person identification recommended for any transaction where rosewood species significantly affects value.
Q: Does Edgewater identify rosewood species?
A: Yes — free rosewood identification on all Martin guitars through visual analysis, aromatic testing, grain pattern assessment, and serial number cross-reference. We verify Brazilian vs Indian on every Martin evaluation. Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia. Call (440) 219-3607.
Related Resources
Recently Purchased: Rosewood Identification Case Study
The Situation: A family in Parma, Ohio contacted Edgewater about "a 1970 Martin D-28" they inherited. Two shops had appraised it as Indian rosewood based on the serial number (1970 = post-transition).
The Identification: Edgewater examined the guitar in person. Visual inspection revealed dramatic grain figuring with dark chocolate-to-purple color variation and pronounced contrast — characteristics inconsistent with typical Indian rosewood. Aromatic test at soundhole detected Brazilian rosewood's distinctive sweet scent. Serial number fell in the early 1970 transition range where Martin was still using existing Brazilian stock. Grain pattern, color variation, figuring, density, and aroma all confirmed: Brazilian rosewood — NOT Indian as two shops had assumed from serial number alone.
The Outcome: "Both shops looked at the serial number, said '1970 means Indian rosewood,' and priced it accordingly," the family said. "Edgewater actually examined the wood itself — the grain, the color, the smell — and identified it as Brazilian. They explained Martin's existing Brazilian stock carried into early 1970, and serial numbers alone don't tell you the species during the transition. The Brazilian identification more than doubled the guitar's value compared to what the shops quoted."
Edgewater Guitars: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia. Contact us: [link] | (440) 219-3607.
