Mopane, Mopani (Colophospermum mopane) is one of the hardest and densest woods in South Africa, with a density of approx. 1.3 t/m3. It is one of the heaviest woods in southern Africa and is an excellent wood for wind instruments. The heartwood is dark brown to reddish brown, contrasting with the thin straw-yellow sapwood. The wood is very heavy and hard, resistant to termites and fungi. Mopane has recently been used for woodwind instruments and other traditional instruments, as grenadilla is now difficult to obtain and mopane is an equivalent alternative wood. The tone quality is similar to that of African grenadilla or cocus wood, but the tone is slightly warmer. We were able to purchase a small quantity of this rather rare wood.
