Color
Heartwood ranges from golden-brown to reddish-brown, with contrasting dark brown or nearly black streaks. Color intensity and stripe patterns vary naturally between individual pieces.
マカッサルエボニーとは
Premium Exotic Hardwood
Macassar Ebony
Striped Ebony / Diospyros celebica
Dramatic black and brown stripes, exceptional density, and a refined natural luster. Macassar Ebony is a distinctive hardwood native to Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, valued for musical instrument components, decorative veneers, fine furniture, and precision woodworking.
01
What Is Macassar Ebony?
Origin & Botanical Information
Macassar Ebony (Diospyros celebica) is an exceptionally dense tropical hardwood native to Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. It belongs to the ebony family (Ebenaceae) and the genus Diospyros.
Also known as Striped Ebony, this species is recognized for its dramatic contrast between dark brown or black stripes and golden-brown to reddish-brown heartwood.
Its striking appearance, high hardness, and fine texture have made it a valued material for musical instrument parts, decorative veneers, luxury cabinetry, and specialty turned objects.
- Common Name
- Macassar Ebony / Striped Ebony
- Scientific Name
- Diospyros celebica Bakh.
- Family
- Ebenaceae (Ebony Family)
- Native Range
- Sulawesi Island, Indonesia
- Average Dried Weight
- Approximately 1,120 kg/m³ (reference value; varies by specimen)
- Wood Characteristics
- Very dense and hard, fine-textured, with distinctive contrasting stripes
- Common Uses
- Musical instrument parts, veneers, fine furniture, and specialty woodworking
02
Wood Characteristics
Color, Figure & Physical Properties
Distinctive Striped Figure
Alternating dark and light bands create the signature appearance of Macassar Ebony. Depending on how the wood is cut, the figure may appear straight, flowing, or gently wavy.
High Density & Hardness
Macassar Ebony is an exceptionally dense and hard hardwood. Some air-dried pieces have a density greater than that of water. These properties make it useful for selected wear-resistant components.
Fine Texture & Natural Luster
The wood has a fine, relatively uniform texture and attractive natural luster. Careful sanding and finishing can produce a smooth, polished surface.
03
Rarity & Conservation
Native Habitat & Responsible Sourcing
Macassar Ebony has a restricted natural distribution on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island. Its distinctive figure and exceptionally hard timber have made it highly desirable for decorative and specialty woodworking.
At the same time, historical harvesting and changes in its natural habitat have created conservation concerns.
The species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Responsible sourcing and verification of timber origin are therefore particularly important.
Pieces with attractive contrasting stripes, minimal defects, and suitable dimensions are especially desirable for precision woodworking and musical instrument decoration.
International Trade & Documentation
Before importing or exporting Macassar Ebony, confirm the current applicable CITES requirements, Indonesian export regulations, and destination-country import rules with the relevant authorities. Required documentation may depend on the product and transaction.
04
Macassar Ebony for Musical Instruments
Luthier Applications
Macassar Ebony is used for selected musical instrument components where hardness, wear resistance, dimensional suitability, and decorative appearance are important.
Depending on the dimensions and condition of the material, it may be used for guitar and bass fingerboards, headplates, decorative veneers, and other specialty parts.
Its contrasting black and brown stripes provide an attractive alternative to uniformly dark woods in applications where natural wood figure is a design feature.
Thin veneers and decorative accents can showcase the grain, while solid components require careful evaluation of stability and structural suitability.
Acoustic Considerations
Wood density and hardness are relevant to instrument design and component performance. However, tonal response and sustain depend on component dimensions, instrument construction, and other material properties. The species or striped figure alone does not guarantee a particular sound.
05
Striped Figure & Wood Quality
Appearance & Material Selection
The decorative appeal of Macassar Ebony is strongly influenced by the contrast, direction, and distribution of its natural stripes.
For musical instrument parts and precision woodworking, appearance is only one factor. Grain orientation, usable dimensions, moisture condition, and the presence of defects are equally important considerations.
Stripe Pattern & Color
Consider the contrast between dark and light bands, the width and continuity of stripes, and the overall figure.
Grain & Material Condition
Evaluate grain orientation, interlocked grain, and the condition of the wood for the intended application.
Dimensions & Cutting Orientation
Check whether the material provides sufficient length, width, and thickness for fingerboards, headplates, veneers, or other components.
Cracks & Drying Condition
Inspect for end checks, internal cracks, warping, and moisture-related defects before processing.
Curly-figure grading systems
used for other wood species
should not automatically
be applied to Macassar Ebony.
Please review individual
product grades, photographs,
dimensions, and specifications.
06
Recommended Applications
Musical Instruments & Fine Woodworking
Guitar & Bass Fingerboards
Hard, dense fingerboard material for suitable instrument designs. Dimensions, moisture condition, and stability should be checked carefully.
Headplates & Decorative Veneers
Distinctive striped headplates, veneers, inlays, and decorative instrument accents.
Fine Furniture & Interiors
Decorative veneers, cabinetry accents, luxury furniture details, and specialty interior components.
Woodturning & Crafts
Pen blanks, knife handle scales, turned objects, and precision decorative woodcrafts.
07
Working, Drying & Storage
Practical Workshop Considerations
Macassar Ebony is an exceptionally hard, high-density timber that can be challenging to machine. It can dull cutting edges relatively quickly.
Interlocked grain may contribute to tear-out or chipping during planing and shaping. Sharp tools, controlled feed rates, and light cutting passes are recommended.
Particular care is also required when drilling or sawing, since excessive force can damage the wood or contribute to splitting.
Macassar Ebony can be prone to checking, splitting, and distortion during drying. Avoid sudden changes in moisture conditions and manage drying according to the material's condition.
Before precision machining, check moisture content and dimensional stability, and allow the wood to acclimate to the workshop environment.
Workshop Safety
Dust from ebony species may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Use effective dust extraction, ventilation, and suitable personal protective equipment when cutting or sanding.
08
The Distinctive Beauty of Macassar Ebony
A Unique Striped Hardwood
The defining beauty of Macassar Ebony lies in its dramatic natural stripes. Black and brown bands form distinctive patterns that vary from piece to piece.
Its high hardness, fine texture, and attractive finish make it a material worth considering for musical instrument parts, luxury decorative work, and precision woodworking.
At Maikai Wood Hawaii, we appreciate the unique character of natural wood and offer specialty materials for luthiers, instrument makers, and fine woodworkers.
