Cavaquinho Joao Batista Classico de faia

[sander]

I'm going to buy a Joao Batista cavaquinho this month in Sao Paulo. I live in Holland and I read that jacarandá is used in some instruments. Some is called Jacarandá de Bahia (a.k.a. Brazil Rosewood) In Holland, and I presume in other countries also, it is not allowed to trade. I don't wan't to risk any problems at the douane so I'm going to buy de Classico fe faia, wich is out of maple. See:
http://www.jbinstrumentos.com.br/pro...oria=89&tipo=5

My question is: does anybody has experience with buying instrument from Brasil wich are made out of Jacarandá (rosewood) and is all rosewood used in Brasil "wrong" rosewood? Is it possible that builders in Brasil are using this wood, even if this is forbidden and they are the 'bigger' luthiers who ship their instruments all over the world?

[Jim Garber]

I have heard of some luthiers who bought logs of BRW long ago. i would be very careful about it in any case. I guess it depends on your customs officials in your country and how strict they are. Here in the US i think it may vary.

I have heard in general that many of the players, at least of bandolim, actually prefer maple for the tone and volume they get and acoustically it projects more, to their ears than rosewood. I am not sure how the cavaquinho players feel and what they prefer.

[sander]

Hello Jim,
Thanks for the quick response and information! I think indeed that maple has a better tone when your playing acoustic. And it's also safer to bring to Holland. It's a lot of money if you have to leave it at the customs officials. I know some cavaco players with de maple model and I like the tone. It has more middle frequenties.

[delsbrother]

What actually happens if the instrument is confiscated? Do you just forfeit it? Fine? Jail? All of the above?

I just contacted a Brazilian luthier about a viola tenor and he said it wouldn't be a problem importing it. But something tells me otherwise.