The tone, look, and durability of cocobolo wood make it a popular choice for guitar backs and sides, as well as for instrument construction components. This guide highlights five relevant products that showcase cocobolo’s aesthetic appeal and structural benefits—from ready-to-play cocobolo-backed models to premium wood pieces for custom builds. Each entry includes key features to help you compare options for American guitar enthusiasts and luthiers alike.
| Product | Brand | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Martin 00-X2E Cocobolo Acoustic-electric Guitar | Martin&Co. | Cocobolo back & sides with spruce top; acoustic-electric |
| StewMac Peghead Overlay Veneer, Cocobolo | StewMac | Cocobolo veneer for high-end fingerboard/peghead detailing |
| Cocobolo Rosewood Bi-Color Wood Sets (Back & Side) | Generic | Book-matched cocobolo back & side pieces for builds |
| Cocobolo Rosewood Bi-Color Dreadnought Wood Set | Generic | Solid cocobolo back & sides for dreadnought builds |
| Cort GOLDA10 Cocobolo Grand Auditorium Guitar | Cort | AAA-grade cocobolo back & sides, solid tonewood |
Note: The list focuses on cocobolo back and sides or cocobolo-backed guitar components. Availability and exact configurations may vary by seller and region. When choosing cocobolo wood, consider density, stability, color variations, and how well the wood is finished and prepared for instrument use.
Martin 00-X2E Cocobolo Acoustic-electric Guitar
The Martin 00-X2E combines a spruce top with cocobolo back and sides for balanced projective tone and striking aesthetics. Its 6-string system is designed for performance-ready acoustic-electric playability, with a favorable midrange and articulate treble. The natural finish highlights the cocobolo’s rich warmth, while laminated back and sides contribute to stability under varied humidity. Ideal for performers seeking a stage-ready instrument with a classic cocobolo look and modern electronics.
StewMac Peghead Overlay Veneer, Cocobolo
This cocobolo peghead overlay veneer is designed as the finishing touch for premium instruments. Thickness-sanded to 3/32″ (2.38mm), it provides a durable, visually striking face for guitars, banjos, or mandolins. Cocobolo is a true rosewood, renowned for its dense, oily surface that accepts finishes well. The overlay can enhance both aesthetics and resale value while offering a durable, high-end touch for builders upgrading instrument headstock detail.
Cocobolo Rosewood Bi-Color Wood Sets (Back & Side)
These book-matched cocobolo back and side sets are oriented toward woodworkers and luthiers building or repairing guitars and other stringed instruments. The wood is kiln-dried, sanded, and prepared for immediate turning and shaping—factors that support consistent layering, binding, and bracing in custom builds. The bi-color cocobolo offers striking grain patterns, with the potential for a premium, eye-catching instrument aesthetic when paired with a complementary top wood.
Cocobolo Rosewood Bi-Color Dreadnought Wood Set
This back-and-sides set for dreadnought guitars uses solid cocobolo for depth, projection, and visual appeal. The wood is kiln-dried and ready for immediate use, designed to maintain stability under humidity changes. Builders can expect strong sustain and a colorful, natural grain that complements many topwoods. It suits both custom-build projects and high-end restorations that aim for a premium cocobolo appearance and tone.
Cort GOLDA10 Gold Series Cocobolo Grand Auditorium
The Cort GOLDA10 combines solid cocobolo back and sides with a torrefied Adirondack spruce top. The natural bone nut and saddle contribute to a strong, bright tonal projection with enhanced overtones. This Grand Auditorium body shape emphasizes balance across frequencies, making it a versatile option for players seeking a cocobolo-backed instrument with a wide dynamic range and refined sustain. The natural gloss finish enhances the wood’s color and grain patterns.
Real Abalone D Style Cocobolo Back And Sides Guitar
Real abalone cocobolo back and sides describe a guitar construction option featuring a 41-inch D-style body with a solid cedar top. The combination of abalone detailing and cocobolo back and sides offers a classic, resonant voice with a touch of oceanic color in the abalone inlays. The solid cedar top contributes to projection and warmth, while cocobolo back and sides support sustain and projection across the fretboard.
Buying Guide: Cocobolo Back And Sides For Guitars
Key considerations help buyers select cocobolo back and sides or cocobolo-backed components that fit their build goals and playing style:
- Wood quality and source: Look for certified cocobolo with stable dimensions, low defects, and proper drying. Kiln-dried pieces reduce warping and crack risk in guitars.
- Back vs. sides weight and density: Cocobolo’s density affects tonal balance, sustain, and projection. Heavier back pieces can produce a focused bass and midrange, while lighter sides influence brightness and percussive response.
- Aesthetics: Cocobolo ranges from deep reddish-brown to chocolate hues with black or dark brown grain lines. Consider whether you want a uniform look or more dramatic figure in the guitar’s back and sides.
- Finish compatibility: Finishing cocobolo requires careful pore filling and sealing to protect the wood from moisture while preserving resonance.
- Compatibility with top wood: The overall tonal balance emerges from the top wood (e.g., spruce, cedar). Cocobolo back and sides interact with the top to shape sustain, articulation, and loudness.
- Hardware and electronics: For cocobolo-backed acoustic-electric guitars, electronic systems should be evaluated for feedback resistance, pickup placement, and sound transfer to the body.
- Durability and maintenance: Regular conditioning and humidity control help maintain stability. Avoid rapid, extreme changes in humidity to keep gluing and braces intact.
Perspective considerations include:
– Players who want a bright, articulate attack may favor cocobolo with a lighter-weight top and a medium-density back.
– Builders prioritizing color and grain may choose book-matched sets to emphasize visual symmetry across the back and sides.
– Luthiers seeking ready-to-play instruments may prefer models with integrated electronics and standardized neck profiles for consistent action.
In sum, cocobolo back and sides offer a blend of color, density, and tonal potential that appeals to players and craftspeople alike. The options above range from finished instruments to wood sets suitable for custom builds, enabling both immediate playability and DIY guitar projects.