African Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii), also called coral wood, is a very hard, dense and melodious wood mainly from Cameroon, West Africa, which stands out due to its unusual colour: when freshly cut, Padouk has a bright and strong shining orange-red intensive colour, which turns into a very beautiful dark orange-brown after ageing! The unusually bright sound of the wood is the reason why it is used in so many different ways in the making of musical instruments; its visual attractiveness (best protected against bleaching UV radiation with a light-protective varnish) does the rest to make this beautiful wood a classic among woodturners and musical instrument makers. It can be worked excellently, works little and is fortunately available in large dimensions! Elegant, lightweight yet sturdy wood for any shape of stick or cane!
