Cocobolo wood - color changes over time?

My interest in a cocobolo ukulele has definitely been piqued and I am now in the early stages of over-analyzing the possibility of getting one.

From what I've heard, they sound very nice. I was actually able to put my hands on one at a local pawn shop and even though it was missing a string and way out of tune, I could tell it was a resonant instrument with good sustain. All that is fine and well but the real selling point of these ukes is the stunning wood grain.

I love the variety of wood grains and contrasting color characteristic of this type of wood. From what little research I've done so far I've read comments that cocobolo wood will change color over time. I read comments that the cedar red like color will turn brown.

Is there anyone here who could speak more towards the change of color in this wood over time? Has anyone here had a uke made of cocobolo for 5+ years that could speak from experience about the color change over time? The biggest selling point for a cocobolo wood uke is the color and the wood grains. I could see and wouldn't have a problem with small or subtle changes over time but if it looks like a totally different uke 5-10 years down the road then I'm not so sure.

https://www.wood-database.com/cocobolo/

This indicates that cocobolo comes in a very wide range of colours, so the one you get may not look like what you expect from pictures. Also, it is a dalbergia rosewood and likely way too dense and heavy to be useful as a ukulele top. You may have to pair it with cedar or spruce to get a usable instrument.

I have Cocobolo Tenor #74. Kevin Keith estimates that it was made in Nov. or 2015. I do not have any "before" photos of it.



I believe both the finger board and the body are Cocobolo wood.

Beautiful wood. I wish the wood on the new ones looked like this.

This is the picture that caused my initial concern. Cocobolo was used to bind the fret board and in the picture you can see the comparison between the "fresh" cocobolo and "aged" cocobolo in the binding. Now I don't know if that color change is normal or if it was due to something the builder did or didn't do but the difference is pretty significant.

Kenn2018 said:

I have Cocobolo Tenor #74. Kevin Keith estimates that it was made in Nov. or 2015. I do not have any "before" photos of it.

View attachment 122345 View attachment 122346

I believe both the finger board and the body are Cocobolo wood.

Beautiful wood. I wish the wood on the new ones looked like this.

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First, your ukulele is beautiful. What strikes me is that the fretboard seems darker and more brown (less red) than the rest of the instrument. I wonder if that has to do with the finish placed on the top, back and sides and not on the fretboard. Did the fretboard always look darker or at one point was it the same red color? Maybe the finish slows down the color change process.

ghostrdr said:

First, your ukulele is beautiful. What strikes me is that the fretboard seems darker and more brown (less red) than the rest of the instrument. I wonder if that has to do with the finish placed on the top, back and sides and not on the fretboard. Did the fretboard always look darker or at one point was it the same red color? Maybe the finish slows down the color change process.

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I don't know the answers to those questions. I bought it used about eight months ago. The fretboard is raw wood with some oil on it. It is a much coarser, more open wood grain than the body. So, IMO not as high a grade of wood.

ghostrdr said:

Maybe the finish slows down the color change process.

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This. See https://www.wood-database.com/cocobolo/ and https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/

Even if the body wood darkened I'd expect to keep the dramatic difference between the heartwood and the sapwood.

Per the 2nd link immediately above.

COLORFUL WOODS AND THEIR CHROMATIC FATE

Wood Colorfast rating
(1 – 5)

Notes - RED

Cocobolo --2 --Colors can darken to nearly black, sometimes contrast is maintained.


Man I'd hate to lose the grain definition, the primary reason for buying a cocobolo uke.

That knife cuts both ways. I buy a uke for its sound AND its looks. I once bought a uke for its sound despite that small voice in my head telling me that I didn't really like its looks. I thought that once I got it in my hands and played it then my reservations about its looks would be secondary and my reservations would go away. They didn't. The uke sounded wonderful but I just couldn't bond with it. After the newness wore off I barely played it at all and I ended up selling it - lesson learned. For me it doesn't matter how good it sounds, if I don't like the looks of it, I won't buy it. Of course no one should buy a uke based on looks alone but good looks and good sound aren't mutually exclusive qualities.

In this specific case, there's no way I'm going to be able to try a cocobolo out for its sound. It's been the same case with every one of the 5 ukes I currently own but I wouldn't be going into this blinded by the dazzling cocobolo wood. I've listened to sound samples on the internet. I've read reviews and people's personal testimonies of their experiences with these ukes. Reputation of the builder/seller plays a part too. In each case the cocobolo has fared as well or better than I expected it to so I'm reasonably sure that I would happy with the sound. With that reasonable expectation, I want to get a uke that is stunning and beautiful. Yes, from what I've read so far I can count on the looks changing as the uke ages but the question is, "How much?" That's what I'm trying to get a better handle on. If the change is subtle or slight, that's fine. Maybe a little age patina would be welcome and look nice as well. If it changes drastically over time to the point of being near black (obliterating or masking the grain?) as noted in the article linked and noted above then it becomes a matter of serious concern.

mikelz777 said:

In this specific case, there's no way I'm going to be able to try a cocobolo out for its sound.

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I think I've seen Cocobolos at most of the uke fests I've attended. There are a lot of them out there.

I’m in the same position you are. Every time I see a Cocobolo auction with a ukulele I like...I worry about the red fading over time to dull brown.

I'm really hoping that I can get a better handle on how the wood changes over time and to what degree. Maybe the approach would be to pick a wood grain pattern that you really love whether it be in red, reddish brown, brown or dark brown. I just sent Kevin at Cocoblolo Ukuleles an email to see what light he might be able to shed on the situation. They might not even really know. It looks like they started up in 2012-2013 so their oldest ukes would only be 6-7 years old.

mikelz777 said:

I'm really hoping that I can get a better handle on how the wood changes over time and to what degree. Maybe the approach would be to pick a wood grain pattern that you really love whether it be in red, reddish brown, brown or dark brown. I just sent Kevin at Cocoblolo Ukuleles an email to see what light he might be able to shed on the situation. They might not even really know. It looks like they started up in 2012-2013 so their oldest ukes would only be 6-7 years old.

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I look forward to his reply. In the meantime -

https://familywoodworking.org/forum...lor-How-do-I-finish-cocobolo-so-it-won-t-fade
https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/preventing-color-changes-in-exotic-woods/
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?73532-Cocobolo-color-update
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?72033-cocobolo-question

I've never had a cocobolo instrument. But I've had several cocobolo traditional archery recurves and longbows. One of my favorite woods for risers/handles. I like the orangish cocobolo best. I do think the colors change somewhat over time, darken a bit, but I've never really seen a drop off in contrast. The dynamic wood grain remains. Now the archery equipment is exposed to the elements and the sun so that may impact changes over time. I'd also think the finish would effect the rate and depth of change over time a well. What type of finish would protect the wood from color changes? I'm not sure, gloss maybe?

mjh42 said:

I've never had a cocobolo instrument. But I've had several cocobolo traditional archery recurves and longbows. One of my favorite woods for risers/handles. I like the orangish cocobolo best. I do think the colors change somewhat over time, darken a bit, but I've never really seen a drop off in contrast. The dynamic wood grain remains. Now the archery equipment is exposed to the elements and the sun so that may impact changes over time. I'd also think the finish would effect the rate and depth of change over time a well. What type of finish would protect the wood from color changes? I'm not sure, gloss maybe?

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One of the links I posted above says that exposure to the sun would lighten it or keep it light.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/184011059839

This is what I am afraid of...I’m afraid the red faded to brown.

Also...the seller is asking for more than new..

Choirguy said:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/184011059839

This is what I am afraid of...I’m afraid the red faded to brown.

Also...the seller is asking for more than new..

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I wouldn't be too concerned about that color. When mine is outside in the sun, it looks much redder. The way the picture is taken and processed can affect how it looks.

I paid $599 plus $109 shipping for my concert, so this would be a little less.

EDIT: Same wood, different brand -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Concert-Uk...a=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

I don't know if anyone has ever mentioned this, but when you receive your Cocobolo uke, you also receive a colorful pair of red Cocobolo maracas.

Choirguy said:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/184011059839

This is what I am afraid of...I’m afraid the red faded to brown.

Also...the seller is asking for more than new..

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I can see what you mean. Sometimes the photography isn't the best on Ebay listings and I might question the coloring but since the red in the background looks to be coming through as red, the coloring of the uke is probably pretty accurate. It looks to be pretty dark and leaves me wondering if that is its "settled color" or will it get darker still? The coloring isn't necessarily bad but if you bought it wanting the red coloring then this one may have turned too dark.

I actually went to see this one when I noticed it was at the Pawn America in Burnsville, MN.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cocobolo-23-Concert-Ukulele/293013062393?hash=item4438f082f9:g:Wk8AAOSw065dOgT7

I'd say the colors in the picture are pretty accurate. I'd say they were closer to brown than red but I wouldn't mind this level of brown. I don't know if it was the construction or that it was in need of humidification but I could slightly feel the edges of the inlay below the bridge and the fret edges were kind of protruding. It sounded nice from what I could tell. The G string was missing and the others were way out of tune but I could feel the resonance in the body and the sustain was nice.

After seeing the eBay links I clued in that this is about a specific brand of ukes: https://www.cocoboloukuleles.com/index
It seems that they are sold by lottery so you can't really pick the colour you like anyway. I still have serious doubts about the suitability of this heavy wood for a resonant top. Has anyone actually played a uke from this company?